Why I Do What I Do

(all spellings kept the same except for names)

To Mrs. D (last name was spelled wrong and it was written on the board)
Title: Ws(Student's name) faverit Teacher
I Like Mrs. D shes my faverit teacher of all, like Mrs. M, I Wright this poem for the teacher I like the mosste her name is Mrs. D thats her name,
Its a pritty name it's priter name I'v ever herd, some times she letss uss play hangeman She wood normmily wood strt out frust when We play hangman,
It's time to go we go out the door she givs me a hug sometimes.

from,
W

I have known this little guy since January 2008 when I taught him Math. In that time period he has changed schools four times and I have no idea of how many homes he has been in. He struggles in school, if you couldn't tell from this letter, he is immature for his age and he doesn't have any friends that I know of. His clothes do not fit and he smells of dirty gym socks. Every time I sub, he is always a kind courteous young man who jumps to help me and ask about my day. He tells me random stories and always gives me a hug. No matter the trouble he gives other teachers he never gives me any. He may lack a lot of school smarts but he doesn't give up and he tries his best for me. Which is all I ever ask.

This letter made me cry today, not only because he obviously put a lot of effort into this but I saw his face when he was working on it (didn't know what it was at the time) and it was one of the most determined faces I have ever seen. This was most likely more writing than he has done in weeks. He left this on my desk without telling me and when I read it, tears streamed down my face just thinking of all the people in his life who are failing him and yet he still takes time to be kind to little ole me.

He is why I don't give up and throw in the towel. He is the reason I go into the schools day after day and treat students the way I want to be treated. He is the reason I fight for change and accountability.

W is in 5th grade. Bless his sweet little heart.

The joys of teaching..

I have this little diddy stuck in my head currently..

Way up high in the apple tree.

Two little apples smiled at me,

I shook that tree as hard as I could,

Down they came,

Mmmmmm were they good!

I think I perform this along with its movements about 28349324 times a morning. Okay, maybe not but I think I can perform it in my sleep.

I also have to share the wonderful song about the word the that my teacher friend shared with me last year that I love and so do my kids and helped them learn it, when some of them do not even know the letters t-h-e..

Some people say the,

Some people say thee,

No matter how they say it,

It's spelled t-h-e!

It's a hit with the 4 and 5 year old crowd. This week we made many different art projects using apples as our theme. Last week we taste tasted apples and made applesauce. Fun times. Tomorrow we are starting our astronaut that I am excited to make. Basically its a space suit the kids are coloring and I took a picture of them earlier this week and we are going to glue their photo on and make them an astronaut! So excited!!

Next week is the letter Ll. Any teacher's out there with any neat L ideas? Always looking for something new!!

What was your favorite rhyme or song from when you were little?