6th Graders Say the Darndest Things!

My 6th graders had to write a practice essay a few weeks ago. We are focusing on persuasive writing techniques. Their writing prompt was: 'Do teachers deserve more pay?' Here is what they said:

"I think so. They have tried so hard for all these years..."

"They have to tolerate so much on us and try their best so when the district comes in our class, we don't screw up everything."

"They have to wait and not get mad. I don' think that is very easy when you're trying to teach something, and the kids are like, 'What did you say?' It's just really frustrating to do that, so they deserve more money."

"It is hard not sitting in the teachers lounge, drinking wine, and just chatting with other teachers. They deserve more money."

"The solution is yes! Teachers are the start to another generation. Teachers are the future...Make teaching legendary..."

"Teachers deserve more money! They need money for clothes."

"I absolutely, positively know that teachers should get more money...They can pay for health and their bills. They can also pay for food."

"Teachers would be happier if they got a raise. Happy teachers make happy students."

"I know that the teachers that work in schools should be paid more!...Teachers paid a TON of money before to get educated in order to teach. They must have paid at least $1,000 dollars just to do school...to work here. It's quite stressful!"

"I do think that teachers should get paid more...Some really good teachers take hours to prepare their lessons. Really awesome and exciting lessons take hours to prepare and hours to get all of that awesomeness into them."

"Teachers work for government. Why do congressmen get paid more than teachers?"

"If you were a teacher you would have a hard life. If they get paid less than you, then that's not fair. Teachers should be paid for how hard of a class they teach. Or, everyone would be teaching kindergarten."

"Dear Principal Densley,

I heard you are not paying the teachers as much. Now that is unstable...Teachers are very smart and they share their smartness to the kids...If we didn't have teachers we wouldn't be smart at all."

"If teachers quit because they are not paid enough, who would teach us? Teachers are the reason people become successful...If there were no teachers, school would be pointless."

It's nice to know that people in my profession are appreciated (sometimes) by their students. :) It's been fun to be back in my class. I really enjoy my students. They are great. :) I think it's been a tough week having Mrs. Workman back. They got away with a lot while I was gone. It's interesting trying to get my class back. This may sound cheesy, but in 6 weeks my class has grown a ton! All of my kids look bigger and sound older! It's really really weird. I do love them though and I'm grateful for their personalities and what they teach me. :) Yea for teaching! I love it!