I love seeing my students from last year in the dismissal area each morning and afternoon. Actually, today I got to see them a lot! One of the third grade classes had extra recess during our recess time and I was able to see several of my kiddos... I can't believe how much they've grown! I got lots of hugs and pleas to 'come back' to them. At the beginning of the year, I did miss them dearly. Now, I like my current group just as much. Last year's kids will always have a special place in my heart though. After all, they were my first ever class!
Anyway, today one of them ran up to me at dismissal with a piece of paper in his hand. He asked me to take the paper because he wrote me note. Instantly, I remembered all the bizarre and inappropriate things he said last year ('note' is already a slightly terrifying term to hear from a student. He then called it a poem and I felt better. kind of.) so with the anticipation of regret, I asked him to read it to me. Unfortunately, he had a bus to catch and no time to read it but I took the note/poem anyway. And I am so glad I did!
Sidenote with information really only relevant to this story: If I had to rank the comments I hear most throughout the day, "Miss, I don't have a pencil" is definitely in the top 5. And I am sure all my teacher-friends can understand the emotions that follow that comment. At the beginning of the year, each student was given a lovely red pencil box complete with two pencils (and I have given them several more since then). But of the 17 pencil boxes in my room, I am guessing only 4 would actually have a pencil in it. I remind the students DAILY that I am not responsible for their pencil. They are.
Now that you have that thrilling tidbit of info, here's the 'poem':
Anyway, today one of them ran up to me at dismissal with a piece of paper in his hand. He asked me to take the paper because he wrote me note. Instantly, I remembered all the bizarre and inappropriate things he said last year ('note' is already a slightly terrifying term to hear from a student. He then called it a poem and I felt better. kind of.) so with the anticipation of regret, I asked him to read it to me. Unfortunately, he had a bus to catch and no time to read it but I took the note/poem anyway. And I am so glad I did!
Sidenote with information really only relevant to this story: If I had to rank the comments I hear most throughout the day, "Miss, I don't have a pencil" is definitely in the top 5. And I am sure all my teacher-friends can understand the emotions that follow that comment. At the beginning of the year, each student was given a lovely red pencil box complete with two pencils (and I have given them several more since then). But of the 17 pencil boxes in my room, I am guessing only 4 would actually have a pencil in it. I remind the students DAILY that I am not responsible for their pencil. They are.
Now that you have that thrilling tidbit of info, here's the 'poem':
Lost your pen = no pen
No pen = No notes
No Notes = no study
No study = fail
fail = no diploma
no diploma = no work
no work = no money
no money = no food
no food = skinny
skinny = no lover
no lover = no marriage
no marriage = no children
no children = alone
alone = depression
depression = sickness
sickness = death
Lesson: Don't lose your pen.
I was laughing out loud! I showed it to my teaching partner and then went to the boy's current teacher to ask what exactly he has been teaching them.
I plan to frame this poem. It may just be one of the best note/poems I've received.
