Best. Job. Ever.

There are often nights when I feel exhausted from keeping students in line and on track all day long. Just when I start to feel down in the dumps and dreadful of the stack of essays that need to be graded, something miraculous happens...I start to read and remember how entertaining my students can be, and despite spelling and grammatical errors, they have great voice and insight!

Here are some of my favorites snippits from students' essays about reading.

• If the world didn't have books or reading, it would be hectic and chaotic. People wouldn't be able to read instructions, text messages, or simply make ramen noodles.
• In 2nd grade I had to pick a reading partner. I also remember it had to be a girl partner, too. I wasn't really into the whole "boys work with girls" thing. I still thought girls were disgusting. So I had to pair up with this girl named Berenice. Berenice was one of those girly girls that's into barbie dolls and make up. So I already hated this girl. I remember as a group we had to pick a few books of both of our choice. She wanted a book with flowers and pink stuff all over it. I hated her sooo much I would pinch her arm when the teacher wasn't looking.
• The word "reading" has always been like a curse word to me...To me, reading was like a never-ending abyss of boredom.
• Reading [is] not my thing anymore because I have things to do in my life like playing video games.
• If your parents are nagging you for failing a test say, "I'm going to read a book," just to shut them up.
• Hi, my name is ______, and I do not like to read. (Sounds like an AA meeting!)