I walk into school today and all the "adults" can talk about is how after today there are only 3 more Mondays. As excited as I am to see my husband, I'm actually quite sad to see the school year ending. I really love what I do every day; don't get me wrong I do get frustrated once and awhile like anyone else with public school politics, stupid parents, and my favorite ADHD students... But at the end of the day I love it. I love my students, the little personalities that they have developed this year. I love that I taught them how to read and how to read well. I love that they can solve problems themselves and how they are set up to become remarkable, worthwhile, contributing human beings.
Three years ago when I was a Method's teacher in Sherry Lynn Powell's class, she had me read Charlotte's Web to her students. I read it again to my kids last year and again to my students this year. We finished it today and every time I read it, it really gets me thinking. It is a silly story about an average pig overcoming a seemingly grim destiny with the help of a little spider. It is that silly little spider that gets me every time.
"Why did you do all this for me?" Wilbur asked. "I don't deserve it. I have never done anything for you."
"You have been my friend," replied Charlotte. "That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die. A spider's life can't help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that."
So many times we come across Wilbur characters in our own lives. I kind of feel that way about my students at the beginning of the year. On the surface they show up needy and blank slates, but with a little TLC they leave terrific, radiant, and humble and instead of saying 'some pig' as Charlotte would have put it, I tell the second grade teachers that they are getting 'some student' who is wonderful and I would take them home in a heartbeat. 3 weeks and 4 days... It's hard to believe another year has come and gone.
Three years ago when I was a Method's teacher in Sherry Lynn Powell's class, she had me read Charlotte's Web to her students. I read it again to my kids last year and again to my students this year. We finished it today and every time I read it, it really gets me thinking. It is a silly story about an average pig overcoming a seemingly grim destiny with the help of a little spider. It is that silly little spider that gets me every time.
"Why did you do all this for me?" Wilbur asked. "I don't deserve it. I have never done anything for you."
"You have been my friend," replied Charlotte. "That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die. A spider's life can't help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that."
So many times we come across Wilbur characters in our own lives. I kind of feel that way about my students at the beginning of the year. On the surface they show up needy and blank slates, but with a little TLC they leave terrific, radiant, and humble and instead of saying 'some pig' as Charlotte would have put it, I tell the second grade teachers that they are getting 'some student' who is wonderful and I would take them home in a heartbeat. 3 weeks and 4 days... It's hard to believe another year has come and gone.
3 comments:
Ahhhhhhh, what a cute teacher post! I love it! I am kind of sad about the school year ending too. I've had a lot of fun this year. I bet your little first graders love you to pieces! I would have!
sniff-sniff-snuffle
You are SOME daughter! Little did I know circa 1969 as I was enraptured listening to my 4th grade teacher read Charlotte's Web to our class for 20 minutes each day that it would have an impact on my little girl of the future. I'm so proud of you for making the world a better place!
HI Shannon! I was so happy to find your blog from Sydni's. Sounds like you guys are doing great and still loving Idaho:) We miss you guys. congrats on the school year- can you teach summer school? Check out our blog. I love that we can stay in touch this way.
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