3.6.24

Oh, I need someone to read me stories

Oh, someone to turn the page

It’s late, I’m tired, and I owe my dog a bunch of snuggles.

But I wanted to do a quick piece about a song because I’m on the longest daily writing streak I’ve had in years, and I want to keep that going. Writing makes me happy.

Speaking of writing, today was our first day back at school after winter break. My 3rd grade teaching partner and I ended the day with a long session of our students reading the biographies they wrote before break to each other.

What a magical time.

The kiddos mostly proudly read the end products of weeks of hard work. A handful of shy ones asked one of us teachers to read for them. Each and every one of them demonstrated that they care deeply about their work, and they all showed research and writing skills that have grown in a variety of ways.

In about 75 minutes, our students taught us about Jacques Cousteau, Anne Frank, Helen Keller, Steph Curry, Weird Al Yankovic, James Audubon, Jane Goodall, Michael Jordan, and so many more people.

As I listened, I felt proud of the students’ hard work. I also felt gratitude for my partner teacher, who, in just her first year of teaching, has taught me so much and ignites a passion for learning in her kids. And I felt hopeful for the future of writing and storytelling.

People love to easily dismiss the upcoming generations as less than, but when I left school today, I knew that those people are wrong.