Showing results by author "Susan Calkins" in All Categories

Octavia, the music room spider, watches Jaco conduct his third grade classmates and wishes she could play along with them. Once class is over, she ventures out from her hiding place to get a close look at the inside of the baby grand piano. The trouble begins when Mr. Brio, the music teacher (who's terribly afraid of spiders) returns to the music room and starts playing the piano. Will Octavia find her way back to the safety of her nest?

The Brass Tacks Quintet comes to the school to perform. Octavia, the music room spider, gets into trouble when she decides to get a close look at the French horn and becomes trapped inside the instrument. Before she can escape, she ends up on stage with the musicians. Will she ever find her way back to the music room?

Classmates Imani and Samir are practicing xylophones in the music room during recess when they notice a spider dancing to their beat. While Imani helps Samir overcome his fear of spiders, Samir helps Imani learn to play the xylophone part she's been struggling with. Fascinated by the spider, Imani composes a song about 'Octavia, the music room spider.' They decide to keep their discovery a secret.