A Letter to my Teacher

Title: A Letter to my Teacher
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Author: Deborah Hopkinson
Major Awards: None
Age Group: 2nd-4th grade

This is a sweet story written to a past teacher from a now adult about to start her first job. In the book, she recounts her second grade experience. She writes about how school was tough for her because it meant sitting still and listening, two things she was not fond of, but her teacher made it easy for her to like school. She recalls different times in class where she was a disruption. That one time she escaped into the river while the class was supposed to be there to learn about plants and water, but her teacher rescued her. That one time she took the class mice home, but her cat ate one of them. She bought a replacement, and her teacher could tell, but she laughed it off. That one time she was frustrated because she was not a good reader, but her teacher explained to her that learning takes time. That one time the class went to a museum, and she escaped down a secret staircase, and her teacher was frustrated with her for doing so. Her teacher still came to her rescue and helped her out. In the end, she writes that even though she was not the best listener and was a handful, second grade was the best year of her life. She explains that she starts her real job in the morning, and will think of her second grade teacher and everything she learned from her as she begins this new phase of life. 

I would love to have this book in my classroom! I think many students can relate to school being tough, and the times they did not listen to their teacher. I think that students would find this book interesting because it is coming from an adult recalling her experience in school. It would be neat for them to hear that a student who struggled in school, like some of them, came out on the other side of their struggles, and it ended up being the best time of their life. It also shows students how much their teacher cares for them and wants to see them succeed! 

Since this person is reflecting on her second grade experience, I think it would best suit second graders through fourth graders. The author does a great job of relating this story to things that students these ages might go through and ways they might misbehave. Students these ages may not particularly like school, but it would be encouraging for them to hear that good can come out of it! 

In my classroom, I could have students write their own letter to a previous teacher. I think that this story would open their eyes to ways that their teacher helped them overcome tough times in school. We could also make an anchor chart, stating things that students want their teachers to know. Do they want them to know that sometimes they are curious, so they do things that may look like misbehaving? Do they want them to know that they are sometimes confused, so they ask others a question, making it look like they are talking? This is also a way for the teacher to better know her students and how they learn.