Dinosaurs

I had such a hard time at the funeral. My mom, God rest her soul. Now I just feel so empty, wandering around this empty house with piles of old things waiting to be thrown out. You hardly know what to keep and what to ditch. I’m scared that I will throw out things that matter to me. Even though I have forgotten what they are!

I hated school. But I saw this grade 3 assignment that I did with Ms. Woodrow before she went on sick leave so long ago. Was it twenty years ago? Ran into it at the bottom of a pile of elementary school things. By no means did I keep everything over the years. It's more like the “greatest hits” of elementary school. Here it is:

Assignment: List five New Years Resolutions for 1998. Make sure you have one resolution for each of the following parts of your life. You can do an extra one for a higher mark!

1.    Family Life

2.    School Life

3.    Day Care

4.    Hobbies

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First List

I just Hurd abut new yeer’s resoltons this year so I decided to mak a list just like at chrismas

1 I need to stop negotating all the time Negotating is when everyting is too much discusion my mom told me it’s like when a dinosaur wants to eat me and I cant see him then I get mad abut wat side of the getaway car I want to sit on Negotating Nego uh uh Go! Not nego

2 When my sister is stupid it dosn’t matter I just must listen then do what she wants even when it is stupid stupid stupid dosn’t matter hard but I’m goin to doit

3 I’m going to stop making faces at Elaine she is a god babysiter stop negotating but if I do 1 right then 3 is stupid I will rite this over promis.

4 I need to stop geting so many techer notes. Mom says my techer is nice. She explans everything anote with all the god tings I do every day is too much i’m not perfect mom says

5. Piano stupid I hate this Can I stop Pleese Later

Second Revision

I Just Hurd About New Yeer’s Resoltons This Year! So I Decided To Make A List Just Like At Chrismas

1.I will stop negotiating wit small tings. Negotating is when everyting is too much discusion. You don’t need to discus everything. Phocus! It’s the big pitchure that maters! But that dinosaur, specally Tyrannosaurus or Velociraptor or Stegosaurus or Allosaurus. I want to see so bad!!!!! I don’t care if I ned a getaway car. I want to see one. Seen Jurassic Park! Best movie ever!

2. Social emotional development is critical to the development of healthy peer relationships.

The peer social world is at times difficult. Emotional support in the home is essential for the development of self esteem and contributes to a child’s resilience in overcoming stressors in the environment.

3. Techer, I don’t need to do 3 becuse I am doing 1.

4. Yay! Ms Woodrow said she wont writ so many notes.

5. Do I haf to writ abut my hobies? You said I can not writ abut dinosaurs. But I want to. I hate piano.

Third Revision

1.    I will stop negotiating with small things. Negotiating is when everything is too much discussion. You don’t need to discuss everything. Focus! It’s the big picture that maters! Ms Woodrow I didn’t writ abut dinosaurs! I used my word list too!

2.    Social emotional development is critical to the development of healthy peer relationships.

3.    The peer social world is at times difficult. Emotional support in the home is essential for the development of self esteem and contributes to a child’s resilience in overcoming stressors in the environment.

4.    I will stop plagerizing.

5.    I don’t haf 5 tings anymore! I know one! I will ways try to do everythin the techer wants perfect!

6.    I hate piano.

Fourth Revision

7.    I will stop negotiating with small things. Negotiating is when everything is too much discussion. You don’t need to discuss everything. Focus! It’s the big picture that maters! Ms Woodrow I didn’t writ abut dinosaurs! I used my word list too!

2. I have a big problem wit my sister. She is too bossy. I need to use my words and not call people names.

3. I don’t go to daycar. I haf a sitter. I will negotiate about big things wit Elaine.

4. I will not plagiarize because you only leern thins when you use your words.

8.    I don’t haf 5 tings anymore! I know one! I will ways try to do everythin the techer wants perfect!

9.    I hate piano.

Final Revision

1.    I will stop negotiating with small things. Negotiating is when everything is too much discussion. You don’t need to discuss everything. Focus! It’s the big picture that matters!

2.    I have a big problem with my sister. She is too bossy. I need to use my words and not call people names.

3.    I don’t go to daycare. I have a sitter. I will negotiate about big things with Elaine. And not make faces

4.    I will not plagiarize because you only learn things when you use your words and share.

5.    I will ask my parents if I could have a hobby that I like.

Teacher Evaluation: Good job, Tyler. You worked hard! A great deal of thought went into this piece! Mark: B+

Parental Feedback:

Dear Ms Woodrow,

While I can appreciate that you have the best interests of our son at heart, I am concerned that this work is far too personal in nature. I would like to have a meeting with you at your earliest convenience. Please note that I have sent a copy of this assignment to the principal, and I am considering forwarding a copy to the superintendent of schools.  

Sincerely,

Mrs. Constance Smith

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There were so many supply teachers in our grade 3 class after Ms Woodrow went on sick leave. So many that the whole school started talking about us! Even the juniors would get out of our way in the schoolyard! Those were the days!

Funny. I hardly remember the rest of the year. Hardly did any work. We'd just rampage around the classroom and do anything we felt like. What a strange year!