With the coming of this new academic year, I discovered I was going to be teaching year 3 and 4. These children are between the ages of 7 and 9. They are older than I am used to. They are different in so many ways, and so similar in many others. And I am learning the true meaning of teaching skills being transferable.
I think, that when you teach the same year group for many years, you get stuck in the mind-set of “I can only teach Year X”. And that is so untrue. SO, SO, SO many of the skills I used with the Littles, I now use just as effectively on the Slightly Biggers.
Anyway… Yesterday some Year 4 girls committed my most hated child-sin. Talking when I’m talking. And after multiple warnings, a playtime was missed. And during this playtime, they had to write me a letter of apology. And who knew an 8 year old girl could be so unintentionally funny? And become I intend “letters of apology” to be my go-to consequence, because they make me laugh, why not record them here also? For the enjoyment of the wider Internet? Once these letters were finished, a little line of girls appeared at the staffroom door. It was hard to maintain my “cross face” once I finished reading these.
FYI: Identities are concealed. Most spelling is corrected. But all grammar and intonation is left exactly as written. Additional comments from me are in bold.
Letter 1.
Dear Miss Nicholson,
I am so sorry for not listening to you in class. I will promise not to do it next time because I don’t want to go upstairs next time (missed playtimes are spent in the upstairs classroom). I knew what I did but I feel so sorry for what I’ve done. I didn’t mean to do it Miss Nicholson. I double, triple promise not to do it next time in class. So sorry once again. Kind regards, X
Letter 2.
Dear Ms Nicoleson,
I won’t talk in a lesson again. I am sorry for what I did. I will try my best while working and whenever you talk. I won’t. I will listen and write my best. I know talking over you is not good. I still feel very sorry for talking. If you tell me to write, I will and if you tell me to stop talking I will.
Acrostic Poem for you
Sorry for talking,
Oh so sorry I am,
Really I will try my best,
Really. I will not speak,
You are the best teacher.
Sorry for talking. Next time I won’t talk. You are the best teacher and I have done you wrong.
Sorry Poem For You
Every time I talk, I will know when to stop, you look very pretty every time you wear a frock. I will stop talking and I will give my mouth a lock. Shouting is not good, neither is talking when you talk.
Letter 3.
Dear Miss Nicolson,
I am extremely sorry. I promise I shall never do it again and I will not get distracted again. I know it is very rude and disrespectful to you. I deserve this punishment and I need a good education. It will never happen again. I will never be silly, you are the kindest teacher ever. I am awfully sorry.
Things I need to remember: Good listening, concentrating, don’t be silly, focus
I am deeply sorry.
Yours sincerely, X
PS: I will never be silly again.
Letter 4.
I am so sorry I did not stop talking when you told me to. I am not going to do it again. I promise in future I will not do anything wrong. It is very hard to be quiet when people talk to you. I did not mean to make you angry with me. I am deeply sorry. I feel very sad. I am very angry with myself.
Kind regards, X
