Best Wishes for Another Great Year
The start of this year has
been filled with a strong sense of déjà vu—my schedule is the same as last
year, half of my Read 180 students have returned, and some of my honors kids
worked in a pull-out with me last year!
It’s an odd feeling of everything being completely the same while being
totally different.
As I introduce new students
to Read 180, I share anecdotes about people whose hard work paid off. I joke about siblings who love Read 180, past
students who’ll say I’m fabulous, and how much they’ll cry when they finally
leave me. The students know I’m teasing,
but it breaks the tension and we end up feeling better about the start of
school. Later, former students smile
when they pass me in the hall, calling out encouragements to the newest Read 180
crew. It’s then that I grow nostalgic
about how they’ve outgrown me!
Planning for the honors class is another déjà vu
moment—I’m partnered with a teacher from Fluvanna again. Sharing materials with Mrs. Cruthirds and
mapping out concepts and skills gave me a chance to reminisce about highlights
from past years. The major success from
last year was the Literature Circle unit Mrs. Dwier-Selden endorsed. In the
spring, we purchased six sets of literature circle novels on advanced reading
levels that matched the abilities of the students. My honors kids ate up the books, with some
students reading all six!
One book in particular resonated with the students. Wonder, by R. J. Palacio, was an easy
read, but contained a message that moved even the most jaded eighth
grader. Auggie’s experiences in middle
school involved typical experiences—making new friends, handling gossip,
ignoring the bully—that were made worse by the attention he received due to his
severe facial deformities. Auggie’s
maturity and essential goodness helped him persevere through the tough
times. His best experiences occurred in
his Language Arts class (as it did for my students, I hope!) and much of the
book focused on the lessons he learned there.
Mr. Browne began each month with a precept for his
kids, something to make them think and grow.
The school year yielded ten precepts, lessons as useful to Walton
students as they were for Auggie’s class. Over the
summer, Mr. Browne asked the kids to send him postcards with their own precepts. The novel ends with each student’s precept, a
lesson that truly reflects the personality and character of each student.
One student who read Wonder for class encouraged
his Lit Circle group to send precepts over the summer, too. While the others no doubt got caught up in
preparations for high school and plans for ninth grade, this young man really took Mr.
Browne’s lessons to heart. He emailed me
this summer with a precept that I think best summarizes the lessons I’ve tried to
teach. As often happens with students,
he’s able to say more with fewer words.
I offer his sentiments to everyone in the hopes that we all have a great
year:
"’Work smarter
not harder.’ is the precept I have adopted from my father. He...owns his own general
contracting business. He uses this precept when he works because he likes to
plan before he goes in and does any work. I would like to abide by this precept
in high school to make workloads easier for me to bear. Thanks for all of the
knowledge you have given me. Best of luck with this year’s class.”
Best
of luck to those who've moved on Monticello and to all of the new students who've joined us at Walton. Have a Wonderful year!
Natalie
M. Capps
Read
180 and Honors Language Arts 8
