#celebratelu15 Dear Students

Dear Students,

• There is something magical, almost surreal, as trees bloom, April turns into May, and beginning readers, who once struggled with what seemed (to them) to be an insurmountable task, begin to put together the pieces of reading into the process of making meaning from texts. I sat back yesterday and watched that magic happen, again, and again, and again.
• There is always something special about a student-teacher bond forged on a shared challenge/. After I've worked with a struggling reader for 8 months (or for 18 months!) we know each other well!  There is a level of mutual understanding and respect that comes from tackling something and watching the fruits of your labor. I celebrate how you miss me when I have to go to a meeting.  Guess what? I miss you too!
• I celebrate, along with you, pencils, stickers, hugs, and the opportunity to sit on a red cushion and read to me.  I celebrate shared reading, shared writing, shared moments in your life.  
• I celebrate a student, who like Picasso,told me he was in a "Blue Period" before reading club that day!  After reading club, he told me that he, like Picasso, was in a "Pink Period." I celebrate readers and writers who find themselves and relate to the texts we read.  Perhaps it was the virtual museum tour?  
• I celebrate weekend....a chance to refuel and refresh...for all of us...so we can do magic again on Monday.