Writing Report Cards Part 2

In the midst of report card writing I am always a bit negative.  It's a big job and feels a bit overwhelming.  But the truth is that as I write comments for each child, they always make me smile...

E is a funny, kind girl who is an asset to Class 3P.
F enjoys sharing his creative stories with his classmates.
G brings a smile to his teachers and classmates each day.
It is a joy to teach V each day.

These kids are such a joy and privilege to spend my days with.  Their smiles and laughs and curiosity make each day a wonderful experience.  Even writing their report cards warms my heart and always ends with the corners of my mouth turning up.  Maybe writing reports isn't all THAT bad.

Thank goodness it's only 3 times a year...

Report cards.
I'm writing them now.  I'm grateful that my current school has trimesters instead of quarters - one less set of reports to write a year.  With 13 years of report card writing experience, you would think it gets easier, but it really doesn't.  Each child is different, each school is different, each year I teach different stuff (or so it seems with all the changes in curriculum).  And then there is always that kid (or two, or ten) who you want to be blatantly honest with and write the TRUTH straight out in that report card comment box.  But you know if you did that, you'd get fired.  Things like...

• Your kid is lazy.  
• You are a bad parent when you let your child stay up until midnight every night.
• Your kid is not smart enough to be above grade level like you want her to be.  Accept that she is average.
• Your child has anger management issues and it is obvious that he has learned it from you by the way you talk to his teachers!

During one of my "breaks" from these dreaded reports, I googled a bit and found some funny teachers out there who feel my pain...

Funny Report Card Notes from Teachers

Good luck to all the teachers writing their reports!

Laugh of the Day

While engaging in a writing conference with a child today, this was part of our conversation...

Me: So what would you like to improve at in writing?

3rd Grade Boy: I would like to make more sense in my writing.

Me: Why is making more sense your goal?

3rd Grader: Because I'm half Italian and Italians don't make sense.  I need to make sense.

Me: (Trying so hard not to laugh) Well ok.

I can never say my job is boring!