Words of Wisdom from Students
From a 3rd grader, after I read the poem, "A Pizza the Size of the Sun," " It would be hard to eat because a pizza the size of the sun would have its own gravitational field." Toby
Socratic Seminar concerning racism and sexism: "Our country needs a good leader." Spencer
"If fifth graders can see we have problems, we have problems." Emmerson
In response to morning meeting question, What does time mean to you? "Time means friendship, I spend time with my friends." Lilly
"Everybody should use binders, 3rd, grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade. It's great, I can find my stuff right away. My homework doesn't fall out." - Josh
Socratic Seminar concerning challenges in school: “If we get frustrated it just wastes time.”
“To be a strong team, we made jobs we were all good it.”
"If I were a parent, I would have no trouble falling asleep." - Reid
"If I could invent one thing, I would invent a car that only uses fuel when necessary and would use momentum the rest of the time. This would have a smaller impact on the environment. "
"This class really pushed me to my limits, thanks!"
Not exactly Words of Wisdom, but......
{Role playing asking mom for more allowance:} "If you don't double my allowance, I will tell dad about your secret candy stash."
"We humans can be pretty selfish. But, I think we can change that."
"We don't need all the new technology. It just distracts us. You can have just as much fun reading."
Teacher lead discussion: What distracts you in class?
"The sound of fidget spinners."
"Boys talking." - the most common response!
" Wiggle noises."
"Whenever the work get difficult I space out."
"Being sleepy."
Teacher: What are the most basic concepts you need to know to understand out number system?
"You need to know the ten symbols, and what location does to the symbols. You need to understand the difference between digits and columns." Madden
Math class practicing working with formulas: Last question, What is the formula for changing a fifth grader into an adult? "Focus and effort, multiplied by time."
"Thanks for teaching me about how I learn."
Debriefing a problem solving lesson:
Teacher- "Do you like being frustrated?"
"Yes, because after it feels good." Owen
Discussing class groupings with students in anticipation of some changes:
"If you need to move to another class, it is not a bad thing. It means you will be where you can learn better. That's good. Sometimes a class is too hard, and you won't learn well. It is what is best for you." Ann
"There are two kinds of smarts. There is facts and book knowledge; and there is being perceptive and being able to figure out situations." Shannie
"Your smile blossoms my happiness!"
"You make me feel good even when I do not actually get good grades in school."
"If we didn't clean our desks every Friday, it would be like a rainforest and you could get lost in there!"
".... is something I have never done before, .... and I guess it's good to try new things." Sarah
"Thank you for more choices and freedom to learn how we want to....." Aaron
"If you don't make mistakes, you don't learn, and if you don't learn, you don't belong in school." Emily
"I am glad the work we do is as hard as it is." Arianna
"Teachers and parents can sometimes seem mean because they care about kids." Taeveon
Student one (doing origami), "This is confusing.
"Marlana, "Yes it is, but you do it anyway, and next time it is easier."
"If I could invent one thing... I would invent a force so strong that nothing could break it and put it around the most important thing in peoples' life: family." - Melody
"I like to read because it puts pictures in my head that I can draw." - Brian
"Mr. Gissendanner, you are doing everything possible to make us want to behave!" - Duryea
Question- What term describes: I let you buy it now, you promise to pay in a month. Answer - "Stupid!" - David
("correct answer" according to the state of VA - credit)
"I remember the first day in Mr. G's room, ..... That was good, and lots of fun, he is a fun teacher... You work hard you play more." - Carmen
"Elementary school is like a rough draft for middle school, high school, college, and life." - Robert
"As I leave elementary school, it is a door closing. I can come back, but it will never be the same." - Matthew
In response to a student question, " What was the most fun part of making your Cell-a-bration (science project)?" "Working with my Dad." - Joesph
"I lost my homework and you never gave it to me."
"I kind of like cleaning Fridays, it helps you stay organized." - Marqueen
Student to dad, talking about a project, "Let me worry about it myself!"
"For this project I worked alone. I thought that I will feel good about myself if I accomplished something by myself. I really do feel great that I made this instrument by myself" Eli
"I believe in second chances." Tucker
"...has been super tough, but I have made a lot of progress."
" I like having to check in with you {at recess} .....I think it is good for me.."
"I get to share my thinking with other great minds." Hampton
"The hardest thing we do in class is stop when we are doing something interesting. The hardest things to stop are origami and fun experiments." Arianna
"....you are very truthful with us." Emily
"When I play video games I feel guilty."
"I try not to play video games because they suck you in."
"It's really cool how there are all kinds of different families." Emily
In response to Walk Two Moons; "She realizes she needs to be pushed away to grow." Shannie
Socratic Seminar concerning racism and sexism: "Our country needs a good leader." Spencer
"If fifth graders can see we have problems, we have problems." Emmerson
In response to morning meeting question, What does time mean to you? "Time means friendship, I spend time with my friends." Lilly
"Everybody should use binders, 3rd, grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade. It's great, I can find my stuff right away. My homework doesn't fall out." - Josh
Socratic Seminar concerning challenges in school: “If we get frustrated it just wastes time.”
“To be a strong team, we made jobs we were all good it.”
"If I were a parent, I would have no trouble falling asleep." - Reid
"If I could invent one thing, I would invent a car that only uses fuel when necessary and would use momentum the rest of the time. This would have a smaller impact on the environment. "
"This class really pushed me to my limits, thanks!"
Not exactly Words of Wisdom, but......
{Role playing asking mom for more allowance:} "If you don't double my allowance, I will tell dad about your secret candy stash."
"We humans can be pretty selfish. But, I think we can change that."
"We don't need all the new technology. It just distracts us. You can have just as much fun reading."
Teacher lead discussion: What distracts you in class?
"The sound of fidget spinners."
"Boys talking." - the most common response!
" Wiggle noises."
"Whenever the work get difficult I space out."
"Being sleepy."
Teacher: What are the most basic concepts you need to know to understand out number system?
"You need to know the ten symbols, and what location does to the symbols. You need to understand the difference between digits and columns." Madden
Math class practicing working with formulas: Last question, What is the formula for changing a fifth grader into an adult? "Focus and effort, multiplied by time."
"Thanks for teaching me about how I learn."
Debriefing a problem solving lesson:
Teacher- "Do you like being frustrated?"
"Yes, because after it feels good." Owen
Discussing class groupings with students in anticipation of some changes:
"If you need to move to another class, it is not a bad thing. It means you will be where you can learn better. That's good. Sometimes a class is too hard, and you won't learn well. It is what is best for you." Ann
"There are two kinds of smarts. There is facts and book knowledge; and there is being perceptive and being able to figure out situations." Shannie
"Your smile blossoms my happiness!"
"You make me feel good even when I do not actually get good grades in school."
"If we didn't clean our desks every Friday, it would be like a rainforest and you could get lost in there!"
".... is something I have never done before, .... and I guess it's good to try new things." Sarah
"Thank you for more choices and freedom to learn how we want to....." Aaron
"If you don't make mistakes, you don't learn, and if you don't learn, you don't belong in school." Emily
"I am glad the work we do is as hard as it is." Arianna
"Teachers and parents can sometimes seem mean because they care about kids." Taeveon
Student one (doing origami), "This is confusing.
"Marlana, "Yes it is, but you do it anyway, and next time it is easier."
"If I could invent one thing... I would invent a force so strong that nothing could break it and put it around the most important thing in peoples' life: family." - Melody
"I like to read because it puts pictures in my head that I can draw." - Brian
"Mr. Gissendanner, you are doing everything possible to make us want to behave!" - Duryea
Question- What term describes: I let you buy it now, you promise to pay in a month. Answer - "Stupid!" - David
("correct answer" according to the state of VA - credit)
"I remember the first day in Mr. G's room, ..... That was good, and lots of fun, he is a fun teacher... You work hard you play more." - Carmen
"Elementary school is like a rough draft for middle school, high school, college, and life." - Robert
"As I leave elementary school, it is a door closing. I can come back, but it will never be the same." - Matthew
In response to a student question, " What was the most fun part of making your Cell-a-bration (science project)?" "Working with my Dad." - Joesph
"I lost my homework and you never gave it to me."
"I kind of like cleaning Fridays, it helps you stay organized." - Marqueen
Student to dad, talking about a project, "Let me worry about it myself!"
"For this project I worked alone. I thought that I will feel good about myself if I accomplished something by myself. I really do feel great that I made this instrument by myself" Eli
"I believe in second chances." Tucker
"...has been super tough, but I have made a lot of progress."
" I like having to check in with you {at recess} .....I think it is good for me.."
"I get to share my thinking with other great minds." Hampton
"The hardest thing we do in class is stop when we are doing something interesting. The hardest things to stop are origami and fun experiments." Arianna
"....you are very truthful with us." Emily
"When I play video games I feel guilty."
"I try not to play video games because they suck you in."
"It's really cool how there are all kinds of different families." Emily
In response to Walk Two Moons; "She realizes she needs to be pushed away to grow." Shannie
Quotes by kids in middle and high school
"The most important skills are organization and time management." -Zach E.
"There is a lot more homework." -David G.
"If your papers are out of order the teacher gets mad." -Andrea "If you're organized it's easy." -Andrea
"I am glad you taught us how to study" David
"You were right, organization is the key." Reese
"I still use a lot of your studying and testing tips to this day!" Sean (high school)
" I am ahead of my classmates because of the study stuff you taught us" Ben (high school)
Dear Mr. G.
You may not remember me too well, but I had you as my fifth grade teacher when I was at Woodbrook Elementary School. You made class interesting and funny, a great way to get kids with a short attention span like me to actually pay attention. I still remember the time you gave me a Q on one of my lab reports because I forget to use periods. I realize now that it really helped me grow and accept and learn from my failures. I hope that you still have your class try and write directions to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The horror of all that jelly, peanut better, and glass everywhere will stay with me the rest of my life and continue to haunt me in my dreams!
Not much has changed in high school. I’ve lost some weight, but I am still the same little annoying brat who likes to read and is hesitant to work. I’ll be attending college next year at the University of Virginia, and I plan to go into medical school from there. After that, who knows? I just wanted to thank you for teaching me when I was younger.
Kevin
Hello Mr. G. For my final project in calculus, we have to write letters to different teachers who have helped us through our many years of education. I am sure most kids easily think of high school teachers or middle school teachers when they are given this task, but personally I think that is ironic because elementary school teacher are the ones who provide the crucial basis, the groundwork, for student minds. For that reason, your name instantly came to mind. It’s been so long since I’ve been in your classroom as a student, you’ll forgive me that I don’t remember much, but I do remember one thing in particular. You taught me that all of this “education stuff” could actually be fun. You turned something that I disliked into something I enjoyed. I remember that I loved your class and that it was always fun and exciting. Now, looking back on the plethora of experience I’ve had with this crazy system of education, I realize how incredible important it was for me to realize that if I applied myself I could enjoy learning. I want to thank you for teaching me that, and I want to tell you that I think you’ve probably influenced hundreds if not thousands of people over the years, just like me. Even if they never remember Mr. G. from 5th grade, you were still there to show them a passion for learning through your own passion for teaching. Thank you.
Gabe
I’m writing to thank you for the wonderful experiences I had in 5th grade math and science. It was in your class that I began to really enjoy math. With the knowledge I gained from your class, I have been able to explore a wide array of mathematical topics, including those in calculus! I also loved the science experiments we performed. The one I remember the most is the earthworm experiment, during which I overcame my fear of bugs to investigate some basic biological processes of earthworms. There is so much that I remember from the class, I can even picture myself sitting in the room right now! I remember the kelp forest our class constructed in the back of the room, which made me feel as if I were on an adventure. After completing a project where I constructed a cell analogy in a cardboard box, I never forget the functions of the cellular organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria. I also enjoyed the snow dances and promises of hot chocolate during the winter. Most of all, I remember the incredible fun and creative experiences I had with my fellow classmates in the Origami Club. I still know the folding patters for several origami figures that I learned that year in 5th grade! Your class had both an informative and exciting atmosphere that created the perfect learning environment.
Since I have been your student, I have become a little quitter in personality, but I still love math and science just as much! Next year I will be attending the College of William and Mary, and I plan on taking with me all these wonderful memories. Thanks so much for being such and awesome teacher! I hope you have a great summer.
Kathryn
Not much has changed in high school. I’ve lost some weight, but I am still the same little annoying brat who likes to read and is hesitant to work. I’ll be attending college next year at the University of Virginia, and I plan to go into medical school from there. After that, who knows? I just wanted to thank you for teaching me when I was younger.
Kevin
Hello Mr. G. For my final project in calculus, we have to write letters to different teachers who have helped us through our many years of education. I am sure most kids easily think of high school teachers or middle school teachers when they are given this task, but personally I think that is ironic because elementary school teacher are the ones who provide the crucial basis, the groundwork, for student minds. For that reason, your name instantly came to mind. It’s been so long since I’ve been in your classroom as a student, you’ll forgive me that I don’t remember much, but I do remember one thing in particular. You taught me that all of this “education stuff” could actually be fun. You turned something that I disliked into something I enjoyed. I remember that I loved your class and that it was always fun and exciting. Now, looking back on the plethora of experience I’ve had with this crazy system of education, I realize how incredible important it was for me to realize that if I applied myself I could enjoy learning. I want to thank you for teaching me that, and I want to tell you that I think you’ve probably influenced hundreds if not thousands of people over the years, just like me. Even if they never remember Mr. G. from 5th grade, you were still there to show them a passion for learning through your own passion for teaching. Thank you.
Gabe
I’m writing to thank you for the wonderful experiences I had in 5th grade math and science. It was in your class that I began to really enjoy math. With the knowledge I gained from your class, I have been able to explore a wide array of mathematical topics, including those in calculus! I also loved the science experiments we performed. The one I remember the most is the earthworm experiment, during which I overcame my fear of bugs to investigate some basic biological processes of earthworms. There is so much that I remember from the class, I can even picture myself sitting in the room right now! I remember the kelp forest our class constructed in the back of the room, which made me feel as if I were on an adventure. After completing a project where I constructed a cell analogy in a cardboard box, I never forget the functions of the cellular organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria. I also enjoyed the snow dances and promises of hot chocolate during the winter. Most of all, I remember the incredible fun and creative experiences I had with my fellow classmates in the Origami Club. I still know the folding patters for several origami figures that I learned that year in 5th grade! Your class had both an informative and exciting atmosphere that created the perfect learning environment.
Since I have been your student, I have become a little quitter in personality, but I still love math and science just as much! Next year I will be attending the College of William and Mary, and I plan on taking with me all these wonderful memories. Thanks so much for being such and awesome teacher! I hope you have a great summer.
Kathryn