All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned From Fifth Graders

• Life consists of three things: you, video games, and you.
• Gross stuff is cool.
• Graphic novels (comic books) are the best books.
• Best friends change by the week, or day, or minute.
• Notes written to friends always have a question and then a yes or no that you have to circle.
• When the teacher is talking, listening and being quiet is optional.
• Pens, pencils (especially mechanical), and erasers are so cool.
• Playing soccer at recess (even if you just stand in the middle of the field), is the best.
• If someone is bothering you, and you ask them to stop, it is acceptable to start chasing them around the room if they don't stop. Hitting them is also an option.
• Thinking about going to middle school is a traumatic experience.
• When you want to avoid doing your work, going to the bathroom or getting a drink of water is always a good time waster.
• If you get enough love and attention from someone, you are willing to do almost anything for that person.

Well, it's over. I still can't believe it. I feel like someone is going to call me on Monday and say, "It's a joke. We need you to get into school and teach." I think I would cry if that happened. I can't tell you how good it feels to be done. I have such a feeling of accomplishment. I did it. I stuck it out, learned a heck of a lot along the way, and sent the kids off.

I will write about our last week in another post, but for now I am savoring the feeling of being done, being able to do what I want to do (reading for pleasure - what a concept!) and not having to think about kids, lesson plans, grading tests, and disciplining.

Wow. I did it.