Well, yesterday I had the grand experience of visiting my classes at Sampson Elementary School in Cypress, Texas. I was teaching there up until mid November when my family relocated to Austin. It has been quite an adjustment, and my time yesterday confirmed it.
As I entered the building, I had butterflies. I could hardly contain myself, I was soooo excited. The minute I rounded the hall to my old classroom door -- it was an explosion, inside and out. Kids rushed at me and all I could do was hug, hug, hug...
Finally, when the roar subsided a bit, I got them to sit down and talk to me. Of course, the first thing they wanted to tell me was the books they were reading!!!!! I listened intently, and as they shared with me, I could see their passion.
They had not been reading for me...sure, it may have started that way, but not anymore. They were hooked.
I shared with each one a few things I remembered about them as readers, and shot out a few titles they may want to pick up.
My gift to them was a personalized bookmark...the front had a cool heart with one of my favorite quotes of all time: "A text is merely ink on a page until a reader breathes life into them" --Louise Rosenblatt. On the back I had written each of them a note, with a picture of the two of us at the bottom. I had so much fun making each of them -- I cried as I wrote them, prayed that they'd use them, wondered if they'd cherish them.
So I challenged them to write me here and tell me about their reading. I told them to ask questions, and I would communicate...reading is best done in a community...
It has been said and I will say it again: I LOVE THOSE THIRD GRADERS AT SAMPSON ELEMENTARY! They have changed ME. I am a different person and educator, for having met each of them. I miss you guys!
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