This week I asked each of my fifth graders to write their own graduation speech.  We watched a few from Youtube, talked about important parts of a speech, brainstormed some possible themes, and, well, collected all of the tools a speechwriter might need.  Since then it has been writing time.

I’m a bit surprised but also pleased by the enthusiasm.  The students seem to be enjoying the idea of remembering and then summarizing their elementary school years.  I told them that I would love to have a few of them read aloud at their last music concert which is coming up in about four weeks.  All of them will be read aloud in class.  I think it will be a lovely way to share feelings about the big move to middle school.

In the past, I have been the teacher who has been asked to “say a few words” about the graduating fifth graders.  I never minded doing that, but at the same time wondered what the students would say if given the chance.  I’ll admit it.   I am really looking forward to this!

Don’t make me plead with you to write.
Don’t make me beg you to compute.
I’m tired of looking at scrunched up faces.
You’re about as receptive as a newt.

You hate when I interrupt your chatter,
and try to begin something new.
But hey, it’s me.  Remember me?
I was hired to teach you a thing or two.

No matter the topic or subject,
no matter the hour of the day,
there’s always at least one student,
who would rather things went his way.

What is it you really want?
To sit and do nothing at all?
Is it really that none of this interests you?
Am I talking to a brick wall?

At the end of the day I’m exhausted,
tired of nudging and insisting,
tired of asking for what’s expected,
tired of too many who are resisting.

I go home blabbering senselessly,
how the day was so drawn out.
and I hope that some rest will be the cure,
yet I sleep with my face in a pout.

Will tomorrow be the same?
Will I regret getting out of bed?
Maybe not … tomorrow’s Tuesday,
and the dreaded Monday is dead!