A Few Things About 3rd Grade

There are a few things I'd like to remember about this school year....and then we can move on to summer.  Please don't feel the need to comment.  I'm mostly writing this post for Brady.  I know if I don't write it down, we will forget...and I want him to be able to look back on this post someday and remember some of the things that made the 3rd grade special.

Almost every morning before school we played catch in the driveway.  This was a great motivator in getting you ready and out the door in the morning.  You even told me once that it was "our" thing.  I loved it too.

This was the first year of school that you did all of your homework on your own...without me standing over you and checking your work.  I feel like you appreciated this space and took more pride in your work. 

You were a friend to someone in  your class that really needed a friend.  You didn't care what your classmates thought about this.  Dad and I continue to be amazed by your compassion and empathy for others.

And, because of the way you treat others in your classroom, you were nominated for Student of the Month.  You were so excited about getting this award, and wore your medal to school with pride.  You deserved it Brady.  You're a good friend.

You shot baskets everyday at recess and waited weeks to find out if you were picked to be a captain for the intramurals team.  When you found out you were chosen, you made up a schedule so that everyone on  your team would get equal playing time.  When picking teams, you chose first the boy who was likely to be picked last.

You were so excited to learn cursive this year.  Your only below average mark on your grade card in the last few years has been handwriting.  This last grading period YOU set a goal to improve in this area ...and halfway through you received a note from your teacher saying he had noticed a difference and to keep up the hard work.  You were rewarded on your grade card for this improvement.

You came to me one morning before school with a bag of silver change you had collected and said you wanted to give it to the cafeteria lady for a boy in your class who was not getting a proper lunch.  You wanted him to have what everyone else was having.  I cried when you left for school that day with your bag of change. ( I think the cafeteria lady cried too.)  YOU made a difference and YOU inspired dad and I to make a difference too.

You only missed 3 days of school this year and received a perfect attendance certificate for the last grading period.  You were so proud of this award, because it was a goal of yours to miss less days this year than any of your previous years.  It was your personal best by a long shot!

A few last things about 3rd grade.....

 You mastered time tables almost overnight and got 100% on almost every spelling test this year.  You were the go to guy if anyone needed help cleaning out their desk during recess time.  You were paired with a senior (who happened to be on the boys tennis team!) to put together a book via skype on the computer.  You were excited to compete in the fitness challenge and came in 2nd place,  and you were asked by the phys. ed teacher to be a part of a tennis instruction video to be used as a teaching tool for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.  Boy was she suprised to see how you play!

That pretty much sums up 3rd grade.  It was a great year for you.  I think one of the biggest things you gained this year was CONFIDENCE.  Dad and I are so proud of you.  I think if you always take pride in the work that you do, set goals, and are a kind person, you will continue to do well in school.

Love you tons,

Mom