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This week marks the beginning of the holiday festivities. For me, it used to mean the end of trimester one and the beginning of my fall break (I worked at a year-round school). To end the trimester, I would often write a letter to each class. After reading the letter together, I asked them to respond by answering some questions which I had written down.
This method of communication with my students offered a way for me to really “get into their heads” about how things were going in the class. This approach was personal but not face-to-face. For some of my students, this mode made responding to me a lot easier. Also, since I was straightforward with the students, they responded to me just as openly.
Here is the first letter that I wrote to my first middle school class in Long Beach. I hope it is helpful in providing you with a model for another communication tool with your students. I found that it created a positive and nurturing classroom atmosphere and improved me as a professional educator.
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Class:
Please read along with me to the letter I have written to you. After we read together, please write a response to me by answering the questions at the end of the letter. You will need paper and a writing utensil for this activity. Please take those out now.
November 22nd
To my dear and wonderful students:
It’s hard to believe that we’re ending our first trimester. I’d like to share with you some of my thoughts and feelings over the last few months. First, you each need to know how happy I am that I decided to move to California and to teach middle school. I have been so happy to see your minds working hard, your smiles, and to listen to your comments. I know that I made the right decision to come and teach you! I feel that even though we have our disagreements we “get along” rather well. I care for all of you as students. I feel that you care for me as your teacher. I will miss you during the break.
I think that classroom management has been going well. You know what I expect of you and you understand the consequences which follow your actions. At times, I am frustrated because I don’t know what I can do to help you learn that your actions bring consequences, positive or negative. This past trimester I felt that you could have, as a whole class and on your own, worked together more to control disruptive talking, disrespectful behavior, violations of the dress code, and worked more diligently. I wonder how I can help you see that your actions—kind or cruel, right or wrong, apathetic or energetic—reflect the kind of person that you are becoming. And for this reason, I must give consequences according to your appropriate/inappropriate behavior.
One of my greatest concerns is homework and studying. I want each of you to attend the high school of your choice and to head to the college that you want to attend. You will only be able to achieve these goals and dreams if you are responsible about the work that the teacher gives you in and out of class. I don’t know what to do about homework. I really need you to be reading, but many of you don’t seem to want to do it. Why is that? I will help you if there is ANYTHING that I can do to help you find a book that you like reading.
I want each of you know that I am committed to helping you achieve success. I have high expectations of you and I won’t accept less. I am also going to help you more this next semester by making your grades more readily available. At least once every two weeks, I am going to give you a record of your assignments turned in. You will know what is missing, how well you performed on an assignment, and if you can work to improve it. It is up to you to decide how well you will do in class, but I am here to assist you along the way.
To finish off, I want to repeat how happy I am to be your teacher. Each of you is the reason that I’m a teacher. Have a wonderful break and I’ll see you after the New Year.
Sincerely,
Ms. Newell
1. You read about my feelings about teaching you. Overall what have been some positive parts of our class?
2. What can be done to improve the classroom management? How can we keep the class on task and working hard?
3. What needs to change in order for you to complete and turn in your homework? What are some reasons you don’t you complete your homework? How can I help you?
4. If you were helping me plan the class, what changes would you make for the second trimester? What activities and procedures would you keep doing during the second trimester? (Offer two suggestions for each question.)
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