November 30, 2007

  • Seventh Grade Essayist

    Michael is very proud of himself.  He completed the rough draft of an essay last night that he feels is the best thing he's ever written.  I agree with him.  Last year, he wasn't stringing together two sentences in a row that made sense.  This year, he's completed an essay that makes a lot of sense.  I love his teachers here.

    If he doesn't turn in an assignment, or if he needs extra help with it, I get an email before he's even left the classroom so I'm ready when he gets home.  And it's working.  He's engaged in a way that he's never been before and he's learning.  Just in case I ever have a question about the decision to move here, I get these almost daily reminders of how much better it is for my babies. 

    (And yes, it makes them laugh that I call them babies when we are fast approaching the day that I will be the shortest person in the house.  See photos of the weinie roast below.)

    Here's Michael's essay ...

    Michael Verrette
    Rough Draft
    November 29, 2007

     

    Three Things in Life

    I understand middle school could be
    easy, trust me, it isn’t.  in my essay I
    will tell you about the things you need to survive middle school.  What you need is a funny bone, a wishbone,
    and a backbone.

    A funny bone is when you laugh at a
    person calling you names, and they stop. 
    I remember when people called me gay. 
    I laughed; they stopped; but it wasn’t the funny bone that made me
    laugh.  I just remembered a funny movie
    at the time.

    Having a wishbone means having a
    little luck.  I know, because I had a
    math test that I hadn’t studied for.  So,
    I had a little luck.  O.K., a lot of
    luck, and I got an A plus.

    To have a back bone means to have
    strength in yourself.  I don’t have a
    backbone, but my little brother does.  It
    lasts for 5 seconds.  5 second is long
    enough to solve most of his problems or go get help from a teacher.  Like if there’s a bully bothering him.

    Yep, middle school is gonna be
    hard.  So remember the three things in
    life.  The three things in life are a
    backbone, a wishbone and a funny bone. 
    So use them right to survive middle school. 

     

Comments (16)

  • Ah gee, a chip off the mother's block.  

  • Another writer in the making! Whoo!

    You must be very proud. I know college kids who couldn't write an essay like that. The best thing is that it's so WISE and so true. Michael is a very special boy, but then, look who his mother is. Hugs to both of you.

  • He SHOULD be proud of himself!  That was fantastic---tell him I think so--not that he knows me or anything--but STILL.  I'm going to read this to Little Girl, as she is going to middle school next year and the ideas should help her.  I loved his organization and the three bones--very fun idea for a paper.

  • Terri - this is wonderful!  Tell Michael I give him an A++

  • Well done sir! I think we can all take a lesson away from the three bones essay!

  • I am truly speechless. When you told me about it I never imagined this. Hugs to Mike from me.

  • i love this! it is nearly perfect in my mind... ryc: the one on the westside. wanna meet me there next week sometime? or i can do wyoming! i have to plan ahead for abq uptown. the others aren't too far from me!

  • This is completely adorable.

  • Wow, what a transformation!!! Go Michael!!!  And as a former special ed teacher,I salute his teachers.

    BTW, guess who also uses that quote?

    Reba.  No kidding.

    I'd give you a mini but I've been doing too much talking and not enough commenting!

  • So glad for you that you have found this good place for your sons.  Blessings.

  • Oh, that is so sweet... AND well written!!   If only we could protect our babies forever ;)    (We call them "the babies" still, too - and they are 6 and 10 - as in, husband will call from work and say, "What did the babies do at school today?"  or "What did the babies have for dinner?"  hehe.) 

  • Very well done!
    I am gratified yet again that the schools here are EDUCATING them!

  • That is awesome!  I'm so glad he's doing so well!

  • Wow what a wonderful letter he wrote. I am so glad your move turned out well. Judi

  • What a wonderful essay.  The truth of it is simply stunning.  

  • What a great attitude your son has!

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