Yesterday I received a big bundle of thank you notes from the students I worked with earlier this month.
It is always a treat to hear from kids, especially if they’ve been given a little leeway in terms of what to write. Which was obviously true in this case.
Here are some of my favorites:
Dear, Liz Scanlon
Thank you for coming to my school , I realy liked it espeshly the lie poum.
So I made you a poum!
ps I dount know how to speell poum!
Roses are red
Vilets are blue
Wich is the best?
Ofcores you!
Justin
Dear Liz,
I’m amazed that you teach poetry so well!
Sincerely, Sophia
PS. You are so cool I wish I got your signiture
Dear, Liz Garton Scanlon
thankyou for everything and for teatching us about poems!
Now because of you
I HEART POEMS!
Sincerly, Francisco
Dear Liz Scanlon,
Thank you so much for visiting.
I hope to be a writer when I am older.
I showed all my friends our lie poem, and they absolitly loved it!
Thank you so much, Madeline
Dear Liz Scanlon,
Thank you for the fun poetry.
I will have to say I am a poet.
Sincerely, Savannah
Dear Ms. or Mrs. Scanlon,
If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t know how to write a poem or even what one is.
I had so much fun in your class.
You have taught me alought in only 45 minutes.
Now I’m not saying my teachers are bad but you sure do know how to teach.
Sincerely, Payton
P.S. I now love poetry.
Don’t they just tickle?
Reading letters like these is one of the surest ways to laugh and be deeply moved all in the same five minutes.
Sincerely.
Oooh, that Justin. A smooth operator. He’d have my heart. And Payton! So diplomatic…
They’re just so revealing, these letters. Aren’t they?
Those are great! I remember when I got thank yous from the first graders, and it was so funny and so uplifting. You are quite a good teacher, evidently!
Yes, funny and uplifting.
I don’t think we can take their word for my teaching ability, quite honestly. That’s one of the funniest parts to me!
Oh those are terrific! thanks for sharing them.
And I’m so anxious to hear about your last day teaching, too!
I think Payton’s is my favorite! Those are aweson.
hokgardner
Yes, Payton’s is darling. I think the part that blows me away is when kids really feel the need to tell me they love poetry now. I mean, nobody’s telling them to say that. Which really sort of stuns me…
Oh my gosh. What a gift you have to touch the world. You’ve forever inspired these children! Thanks for sharing their words.
Honestly, Carmen, they’ve forever inspired me 🙂
Oh! Payton! He has quite the voice. He is my favorite.
What wonderful letters! Thanks for sharing them with us.
Ah, luminescence of children. Bask in the glow, Liz. You’ve made a difference.
Donna Bowman Bratton
This was my “smile for the day”!
Jen
“Now because of you
I HEART POEMS!”
Can you even stand it?!!
Jules
7-Imp
Wow! I hope I can get letters like those one day!
These are the sweetest little letters ever! Instead of wallpapering our bathrooms with rejection letters, we should all be lucky enough to have scads of these to use!
Don’t let the teachers know
Payton might get in trouble! I love those Liz. Totally great. What a boost to a day and a heart. I heart you and your work.