i changed my [teaching] life.

we've started writer's workshop in my classroom.

i love it, because i love writing.

today (and for the next few days) we read a book then brainstormed ideas that we could use to write our own story.

i read this book: "Thank You, Mr. Falker"

by Patricia Polacco.

i love her writing--most of them are true stories from her childhood years--read 'em!

i almost cried when i finished it!

well, i did get slightly choked up but the kids didn't even notice.

here's why:

[from Patricia Polacco here]

Thank You Mr. Falker, The Story (from Patricia Polacco)

THIS STORY IS TRULY AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL. IT IS ABOUT MY OWN STRUGGLE WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO READ.

THIS STORY HONORS THE TEACHER THAT TOOK TIME TO SEE A CHILD THAT WAS DROWNING AND NEEDED HELP. I AM A DYSLEXIC, DISNUMERIC AND DISGRAPHIC. CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO TRY AND LEARN ALONG WITH OTHER STUDENTS WHEN I NEEDED SPECIALIZED HELP...HELP THAT WASN'T AVAILABLE IN THOSE DAYS. I REMEMBER FEELING DUMB, THAT TERRIBLE FEELING ABOUT MYSELF WAS COMPOUNDED BY BEING TEASED BY A BULLY. THAT BOY CHANGED MY LIFE AND MADE ME FEEL SO UNSAFE AND SO SAD THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL ANYMORE. MR. FALKER, MY HERO, MY TEACHER, NOT ONLY STOPPED THIS BOY FROM TEASING ME, BUT HE ALSO NOTICED THAT I WASN'T READING WELL AND GOT A READING SPECIALIST TO HELP

TO THIS DAY, I REMEMBER THE FIRST DAY THAT WORDS ON A PAGE HAD MEANING TO ME...MR. FALKER HAD REACHED INTO THE MOST LONELY DARKNESS AND PULLED ME INTO BRIGHT SUNLIGHT AND SAT ME ON A SHOOTING STAR. I SHALL NEVER FORGET HIM...SO THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN BOTH TO HONOR MR. FALKER, BUT ALSO TO WARN YOUNG PEOPLE THAT MEAN WORDS HAVE A TERRIBLE POWER...AND THAT THEY SHOULD DO ALL THAT THEY CAN TO SEE THAT TEASING STOPS AT THEIR SCHOOL.

THANK YOU, MR. FALKER

that's why i loved this book.

i want to be Mr. Falker, but as Miss Kendrick.

and i will be.

i think this might be my favorite children's story.