Duh! Or Am I Missing Something?

Quotes from fifth grade writing samples:

• "It was the best first time camping trip I've ever had."
• "He is the best brother I have ever had plus my other brother."
• "Some day we'll be better than best friends."

Are these students writing something so deep that I'm not getting them?

7 Days and Counting.

The sick part of me - the part of me that has a viral rash spreading to her shoulders - cannot wait for the school year to be over. I am afraid that if I spend another month in my petri dish classroom that I will have a double ear infection, pink eye, and whooping cough. I wash my hands. I don't give hugs. I drink plenty of fluids. So how did I end up using about a months worth of sick days? I am still baffled by my weakened immune system, but need to take a nap to process so much thinking.

After my nap, if I took the time to process, I would probably discover something amazing like "But the students need to wash their hands too!" But instead, I will be reading articles, writing papers, grading tests, avoiding bubbling, sulking (re: rash and v-neck dress that will not debut tonight), and writing some more. Maybe, just maybe, the viral rash is less student related and more stress related.

Girly or Not?

These are the two texts one of my students had available for when she finished her state science test. Who knew the same child would be reading both of them at the same time? And, enjoying them both A LOT!