"A book, too, can be a star, 'explosive material, capable of stirring up fresh life endlessly,' a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe." - from Madeleine L'Engle's Newberry Medal Acceptance Speech

Monday, June 20, 2011

Letter to 2011 Graduates (revised)






Dear 2011 Graduates:

Throughout the year, you have all grown as readers, writers, and thinkers. I have learned to recognize and appreciate your unique strengths and qualities. In addition, I have been entertained, inspired, challenged, and at times exhausted by you. Most importantly, we have had good times together, writing and reading picture books, poetry, and reading responses, reading and performing Romeo and Juliet, and contemplating coming of age through multigenre papers; we’ve also gone on trips to an elementary school to read your picture books and gone to see “Persepolis” and Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Your work has made my job worthwhile and encouraged me to continue improving as a teacher, parent, and person. I have learned a lot from you and hope you have learned a lot from me.


You all have so many individual strengths and values worth noting. Every year, I am met with the overwhelming task of choosing just a few of my students to receive 8th grade awards. This is difficult because your efforts and accomplishments are bountiful. For this reason, I wanted to award and thank each of you for the following accomplishments and/or virtues.


810


Top readers (based on reading log, volume of and difficulty level of books read, independent reading preparation):

Susan

Emma

David

Chynna


Top writers (in all genres):

Alexis

Isaiah

Amani

Celina


Best bloggers (use the blog to showcase writing; complete all assignments; show dedication and effort):

Kamillah

Nurshat

Celina

Isaiah

Mahir


Most creative and artistic (future graphic novel writer):

Mohammed


Best Romeo and Juliet actors:

Learsi as Juliet

Hannah as Nurse

Yalenny as Juliet


Most articulate, thoughtful, and wise in class discussions:

Kamillah

Eric

Ramon

Daniel

Hannah

Alberto


Most helpful assistants (I never could have made it through the year without you):

Isabella - the best attendance monitor ever

Alberto - the best section sheet monitor ever

Aymon - the best librarian ever


Most energetic and spirited:

Mahir: smiley:-)

Melody

Evan

Daniel


Strongest leaders who help the class in positive ways:

Nurshat

Celina


Impressive dedication and improvement from beginning of the year:

Jason (and best handwriting of course)

Susan


Most pleasant and cooperative:

Serina

Julius (despite a few random inappropriate comments about people’s older sisters)


Most friendly and fun:

Joanna (though not always so fun when making duck noises and popping gum)

Daniel


814


Top readers:

Astrid

Kayla

Erick

Kate

Allison

Noa


Top writers:

Astrid

Gabriel

Casey

Emma

Jadmary

Jonathan

Noa


Best bloggers:

Jorge

Emma

Gabby V.

Casey

Kayla


Most soulful poets:

Jose

Sabrina

Fatima


Frequent and thoughtful class participation:

Moeez

Olivia

Saikou

Sabrina

Emma

Erin

Sam


Academy awards for best actors in Romeo and Juliet:

Gabrielle G

Jessenia

Eyad

Emma


Big improvement since last marking period:

Tyler

Kiara


Most pleasant and cooperative (thank you!):

Rajan

Sophie

Sayuri

Noa


Best librarians:

Kate

Jorge


807


Top readers:

Sarah

Alberta

Suphasa

Molly

Solana


Top writers:

Sammie Jo

Alberta

Sarah

Fiona

Ruby

Tomin


Best bloggers:

Sammie Jo

Alberta

Julia

Tulah

Michaela

Ana

Lena

Kayla (lots of emotional poetry!)



Frequent and thoughtful class participation:

Hillary

Michaela

Marek

Tomin

Sarah

Tulah

Charlie


Academy awards for best actors in Romeo and Juliet videos:

Hillary

Matthew

Fiona

Charlie

Courtney

Ruby

Timothy


Trinity of fun (full of banter and antics):

Aaron

Gabriel

Charlie


Biggest improvement since September:

Timothy

Peter


Most energetic and spirited:

Timothy

Anna

Courtney

Daniel



Most endearing and unforgettable (and challenging):

Daniel


Most pleasant and cooperative (relief after a storm):

Phoebe

Bryan

Tanzima

Johana

Mohammed

Preston


Best librarians:

Tomin

Tanzima


Thank you for all the moments you have earnestly offered a part of yourself to the class. I hope as you grow up and continue coming of age you will retain your positive and youthful energy.


Peace and love,

Ms. Galang





Most pleasant and cooperative (relief after a storm):
Phoebe
Bryan
Tanzima
Johana
Mohammed
Preston

Best librarians:
Tomin
Tanzima


Thank you for all the moments you have earnestly offered a part of yourself to the class. I hope as you grow up and continue coming of age you will retain your positive and youthful energy.

Peace and love,

Ms. Galang

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