Ms. Guinn's Class Adventure

It was a sunny Monday morning and all of Ms. Guinn's class arrived to school on time. All the class was seated quietly with their hands folded when they noticed that Ms. Guinn was not there.

Just then Eleanor noticed a letter on the board. It was addressed to all of them.

Olivia sprang from her seat, opened the letter, and read to the class:

"Just because I am not here,
do not worry or feel fear.
You must work together as a group,
like ingredients that make up soup,
If you work together you will find me,
just begin in the library."

The students looked at each other wondering what this could mean. Orion jumped out behind his desk and read the last line of the riddle: "...just begin in the library."
"Ms. Guinn wants us to go to the library! We should go to the library and meet her there!"
So Ms. Guinn's class all filed out of her class room and proceeded to the library.

When they arrived, they did not seem Ms. Guinn waiting for them. They waited. And waited. And waited. Tired of waiting, Adeline proposed, "Maybe we should look for another letter like the one she left us in our class room." "Yeah," cried Jacob, "Maybe Ms. Guinn left us another clue!" "It must be here in the library," added Antania,"Hidden!" They all agreed, and set out in the library in pairs to look for Ms. Guinn's letter.

After five minutes of frantic searching, Maclain and Lizzy noticed a corner of a white envelope, similar to the first letter concealed behind a stack of children's book. Student Renny and Anna also saw it, and hurried over, calling to the class that they found the missing letter. The rest of the class gathered around holding their breath to see what Ms. Guinn wanted them to do next.

Jack opened the envelope, unfolded the note and read aloud:

"Just because I am not here,
do not worry or feel fear.
You must work together as a group,
like ingredients that make up soup.
Working together like in team sports,
my next clue is somewhere next to the basketball courts.

Jack looked up after he read the letter and shouted, "We should go to the basketball court. That is Ms. Guinn's next clue!" "Just like the library. I bet that letter is also hidden." Ella said thoughtfully.

So the students all hurried outside to the basketball court. When they arrived it was deserted. They all walked over to the basketball court, but did not see the letter anywhere.
"Maybe we should look for another clue like the one in the library and our class room." said Maclain. So again they split up in pairs, and set about searching the basketball court and play ground.

After ten minutes, Daniel shouted that he saw a corner of envelope. "I see it too!" yelled Travon exuberantly. The rest of the class ran over, and at the very top of the slide, an envelope was peeking out between the end of the play structure and the top of the slide.

Richard scampered up the slide, grabbed the letter, and tossed it down to Andy. Andy caught it, the turned over the envelope, and ripped open the next clue. Andy unfolded the paper and read aloud:

"Just I am not here,
do not worry or feel fear.
You must work together as a group,
like ingredients that make up soup.
Now to find me, return to my room,
and you might find me next to the balloons."

"What balloons is she talking about?" asked Jasmine.
"We don't have any balloons in the class room." added Kya.
"Why would there be balloons in our the class room?" piped up Aiden.

Wondering why there could be balloons in the class room, they all sprinted back to Ms. Guinn's room. When they arrived, the sight they saw made their jaws drop...

Ms. Guinn was standing in the front of the classroom next to a huge bushel of balloons. Next to the balloons was a table with a huge birthday cake. Ms. Guinn smiled and laughed at the astonished looks on her children's faces. "You must have forgot it was my birthday. I thought we could have a little game and work together to celebrate. You all did a wonderful job working together and solving my riddles. Let's celebrate and eat cake."

The students cheered, and all lined up so they could each get a large slice of cake. They ate the cake together and talked happily remembering their adventure. Ms. Guinn smiled in the back round and laughed. It was a good day.