Farewell My Friends - A Note to Fifth Graders

If you have ever stopped by this blog before, you have probably noticed that I write about my first graders often.  Today, I was thinking about Tessa.  Tessa is a 5^th grader.  She’s bright, mild mannered, and tall.  I know that sounds odd, but I have a soft spot for tall girls because they remind me of my daughter and of myself.  Anyway, Tessa was in my classroom when she was in first grade.

It occurred to me that I would soon have to say goodbye to Tessa and her friends as they move on to middle school.  Each year, the teachers write notes to the 5^th graders and they are arranged into memory books for each student to have as a keepsake.  I was thinking about what I would say to these kids.  This is what I would want them to know.

Thank you 5^th graders for allowing me to teach you when you were in first grade.  You were the first, 1^st graders that I had ever taught after having taught third graders for 10 years.  When I agreed to teach first grade, I had no idea I would enjoy it so much.  Because of you, I fell in love with teaching first graders.   I’m not going to say good-bye, so Farewell my Friends.

What does your school/building do to celebrate with your 5^th graders who are moving on to middle school?  I would love to know.