More News From 7th & 8th Grade Language Arts
Student Work Showcased
by Jaquie Tosspon
March 18, 2008
Well, where did the 3rd quarter go? It seems that the old adage is true, “Time flies when you’re having fun” (and working your tail off!) For that’s exactly what your kids and I have been doing – working hard, learning much, and having the odd bit of fun here and there.
The Tall Tale unit went splendidly! From there, we went on to formal essay writing. I designed a unit to coincide with this year’s American Legion Americanism essay contest and was very proud to submit a significant number of entries. Once again, your kids have risen to the occasion.
Instead of boring you with my own personal narrative, I thought I would offer you a glimpse into exactly what it is your kids and I have been doing. To that end, I am posting a few random samples of some very uplifting poetry that was written earlier in the quarter. What follow are poems of thanks but, as I mentioned in my first posting, there’s a twist. Read on and you will see exactly what I mean.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Tanner writes:
I’m Thankful…
…for school
because it means you learn,
…for snow
because it means you are more thankful for spring,
…for vegetables
because it means you are eating healthy,
…for curfew
because it means my parents care,
…for washing dishes
because it means we have dishes to eat on.
Dalice writes:
I’m Thankful…
…for my Uncle Randy’s wreck
because it means that God is watching over us,
…for my brothers
because it means that I’m not an only child,
…for the deaths in my family
because it means I’m learning to be emotionally strong,
…for crying
because it means that I have feelings,
…for chores
because it means I am able to work.
Levi writes:
I’m Thankful…
…for broccoli
because it means I can taste,
…for winter
because it means the earth is still turning,
…for the cat litter
because it means my cat is still alive,
…for cleaning my toilet
because it means that I have one,
…for laundry
because it mean I have clothes.
Colt writes:
I’m Thankful…
…for a not so good grade
because it means that I can learn from my mistakes,
…for the hardships in my life
because it means that I can mature,
…for the darkness
because it means that the light will shine that much brighter,
…for my sometimes annoying family
because it means I have a family to be annoying,
…for someone that has more than I
because it means that I can appreciate what I have.
Joetta writes:
I’m Thankful…
…for my annoying little sister
because it means I have someone to play with on snow days,
…for overprotective parents
because it means they care about me,
…for stupid jokes I hear over and over again
because it means I get to see my grandpa’s smile when I act like
it’s funny and laugh,
…for having a bedtime
because it means I’ll be awake and ready for the following day,
…for scraping my knees the first time I ice-skated
because it means that I had the courage to try.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Aren’t they wonderful? (The kids as well as their writing!) I would love to post some of the original Tall Tales that were written in my class so if you, the parent or guardian, would like to see some of your child’s work here, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I would be happy to oblige. You may either e-mail me, using the link at the top of the page, or call me at school after 2:00 p.m. (my extension is 352, and I check messages daily.) I look forward to seeing you at the parent/teacher conferences again but if you cannot make it, please feel free to e-mail or call, even if it’s just to say “Hello.”
There, I have managed to post again to this web site and it wasn’t at all painful; plus, I don’t seem to detect an itch anywhere! Yes, I am getting the hang of this, I’d say. Until the next time, I remain thankful for the opportunity to interact and learn from your kids (the teaching-thing is a given) and look forward to more of the same.
