"Ode to Mrs. Scott"

An ode is a poem written to celebrate a person or thing. Before our Thanksgiving break, I had my classes write one on something they were grateful for. Here's my favorite (transcribed as written):

Ode to Mrs. Scott

Thank you Mrs. Scott for teaching us the success

You are teaching me the secrets for the tests.

And you are teaching me the best

So I would be great and not be mess.

Giving us alot of work and tests every day

But if we don't do it we throwing the chance away.

We got to pass your class and STAAR but without help

None of us would be passing we will melt.

In all honesty, it has been a really tough term so far. I often feel frustrated about the increased testing in my school and the way it affects my already discouraged/apathetic students. Even without all the testing the holidays are a crazy time; it's so hard to keep the kids focused. Last Friday was no exception, but this little ode made me smile. As long as those kiddos know I care and don't want them to "be mess," I can feel like I'm doing my job.