Endings and Beginnings

Wow.
Yesterday was such a great day for me as a teacher. I wish more days could be as great as the last day of school. This is the one day of the year when my defenses are down and students' defenses are down, and we can express our true feelings for each other. There were hugs everywhere!
I am so proud of the class of 2011, and I am so glad to have had the blessing of being able to teach them this year. There have been quite a few last days of school when I honestly couldn't wait for the kids to get on those buses, but not yesterday. I really didn't want those kids to leave!
May their successes in life match their infinite potential!
Have a safe and happy summer.
Love,
Mrs. Hope

Reading Freak the Mighty

We are currently reading the novel Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students generally love this book. In fact, I've had many 8th graders tell me this is the first book they've ever read all the way through!
I have such a great group of 8th graders this year that I decided to check out books to each student. This meant counting on students to do some reading outside of class instead of reading it aloud, all together, in class. Well, unfortunately, I have bunches of kids who did not do their reading homework! This has created quite a disappointing mess, as I haven't been able to continue with the lessons I had planned.
Today and tomorrow, most classes will have read Chapter 20 aloud. I think we will just start from there, reading the rest of the book aloud.
Please encourage your child to read through Chapter 20!