I have three days left of school. That statement gets stuck in my throat. I’m not ready. In my position as a gifted teacher, I have the privilege of teaching my students year after year. But the sixth graders move on to middle school. This will be a week of goodbyes.
My students wrote their final blog posts for the year. Our space on Kidblog has become a meaningful, safe place for writing. I asked a 5th grader last week to do a graph of our blog posts this year. The most blog posts went to 6th grader, Kielan, with 139! We’ve written a total of 1121 posts this year!
Here is a sample of a few goodbye posts. I am proud to read that they feel like writers.
Sorry everyone, but this is the last week of GT. Soak it in while you can. Good-bye blankets, read aloud, parties, and GT and Mrs. Simon in general.
We have all learned so much from past writings to now. We have learned grammar (by force, AKA Grammarly), we have learned phrases and metaphors and similes, we have learned everything a poet and writer must know in life. Tobie
Today is the last day of Gt and I will miss Mrs. Simon and GT. I have learned many new forms of poems, like Abecedarian and Diamante. What I will hate about summer is summer reading. I will miss all the art projects and the forts and the pillows and read aloud, but I will not miss the Sol’s. Andrew
This site has let me talk to Mrs.Simon about problems that I had when I couldn’t talk to her face to face. This site has given me ideas from my classmates and connections. This site has let me share my life story with the world. This site has made me who I am today. This site has let me give ideas to my classmates and connections. This site has made my day or made me want to scream. But this site has so many memories that I hold so close to my heart. Erin
It is time to hit the refresh button, time for winding down, relaxing, reading, and reflecting. I have books ready for my summer reading. Here are a few of the books I’ve got waiting for me.
How will you hit the refresh button? Please join our conversation by leaving your blog link below.
Margaret,
I am sad and happy for you at the same time. I am sad because I can sense you’ll miss your students. I am happy that you’ve reached new heights with them! Amazing work with blogs!
Enjoy your refresh as you head off into the summer months to tackle and learn new things!
That is exactly how I feel, sad and happy. I am proud of the strides we have made. And sad to see them go. But I know that refreshment is what we all need.
It sounds like your students have had a really special year with you! Lots and lots of writing and lots and lots of memories and celebrations! I’m dreading saying goodbye to our eighth graders on June 2nd! Can’t believe you are out so early! We still have three weeks!
How did we get to the end of the year so quickly? I love that you are thinking about reading for the summer. That’s exactly what I have been doing. You have some great titles here. Good luck in your last days with your students. They will fly.
Thanks for continuing to tell me about the topic for the week, and having faith that eventually I would manage a post. Today’s word – refresh – called out to me. I managed a post.
Cathy
Great book choices, my friend! Love the note you shared from your student friends – they love you, Mrs. Simon!
Oh, those posts leave me a little verklempt. Only three days! Yikes, it happens so fast. The books and time to read cushion the bittersweet moments. Looking forward to the different pace and reading.
Great book choices . . . so many are also on mine! I can’t imagine only 3 days but most of my schools and teachers finish in May. Different pace for sure!
I I love your students’ reflections. Their passion for writing comes shining through. You will love The Revision Toolbox! Thank you for creating this space and inviting me to write each week.
Margaret, I thought that I sent off my comment yesterday, but I see that it never made it to your site. I love the way you have inspired your students to raise their voices. As Erin said, “This site has let me share my life story with the world.” It is so important to give students the sense of ownership and the ability to speak about their concerns and inspirations as young writers. As the year winds down you must be very proud of your learners. Pat yourself on the back.