Today I gave my grade 4 class a writing assignment. They were to write a persuasive letter to anyone- on any topic. Some of my students wrote to their parents wanting an increase in allowance, some wrote to the school principal- begging for school to be extended (yes, I have THOSE students). But one student wrote to me. He didn’t write the most articulate letter, nor did he ace the spelling, but it made me smile like a lottery winner, so I thought I would share it with you.
Dear best teacher.
I am writing to you to tell you to go on a summer adventure this summer. You should go on an adventure because you can experiance things you have never experianced before. You helped me go on adventures with the books we read this year so now it’s your turn for something exctiting!!!
First you will need all the suplies. You will need with you a backpack to put stuff in. And you will need stuff to put in it. I’m used to boy adventures but for a a girl, I think you should add a couple things. Like a hairbrush because you have long hair and I know girls use those things. And probably more clothes or shoes and maybe some mackup because girls like that too. But not too much because your pack will be heavy.
Second you need a place to go on an adventure. This is the most important step you cannot forget this step. DO NOT FORGET THIS STEP. Probably pick a place you’ve never gone before, that’s going to help make it most excititing. And make you have one of those whoa moments that you need.
The next step is to be brave and not give up and you will need to have a partner. You should take H.A.D. (the kids know his real name, since H.A.D made comics for the class and sent them gifts from the Olympics) because at first adventures are fun alone but then they get either lonely or boring so take him because you are friends with him and he can draw you comics when you are waiting and stuff. It’s also dangerous to travel alone.
The final step is pretty long but you will need some hunting tools to get food and use as protection. Probably at least a knife or something, so you can hunt, unless you are going to an adventure with a room service but even then, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Miss V i hope you go on an adventure this summer and have as much fun as you can and get a lot of outdoor experiance.
Sincerely,
*Kevin
*Not his real name. I protect the clever.
“The final step is pretty long but you will need some hunting tools to get food and use as protection. Probably at least a knife or something, so you can hunt, unless you are going to an adventure with a room service but even then, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Oh my gosh, that is so incredibly adorable. I think one of my favorite things about children is how earnest they are. Patrick has three nephews, and the middle one (he’s about six years old), once took great care in telling me the best way to write to Santa Claus.
“And make sure you flatter, Aunt Liz! Santa is a nice guy!” Then in a whisper, “Plus he has all the presents, so it can’t hurt right?!”
Oh my god, how awesome is that kid? I want letters like that (tough to get when you work in marketing!)
That is the best thing I ever read. It seriously made my day.
You need to give Kevin an A.
I need an adventure and it’s called “summer break!” I wish my kids were as nice as yours. My freshmen have senioritis :/
This is amazing! You should feel very inspired and happy! You obviously mean a lot to this kid! :)
I’m so happy for you!
OMG I want to eat him for breakfast, lunch and dinner for being so awesome!
Don’t forget your make-up b/c girls like that stuff!
I have to de-lurk and say this is quite possibly the best thing I will read this month.
I nearly lost it by “one of those whoa moments you need.”
And man, after reading this, I miss being a kid.
“I’m used to boy adventures but for a a girl, I think you should add a couple things. Like a hairbrush because you have long hair and I know girls use those things. And probably more clothes or shoes and maybe some mackup because girls like that too. But not too much because your pack will be heavy.”
BEST PART.
this is one amazing kid! quite insightful and thoughtful. give him an A for sure!
this is seriously the cutest thing ever, i love kids.
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That’s fantastic! I’m glad he knows girls use hairbrushes :P
I love this with my whole heart.
I only made it to the second paragraph before I got all teary. Thoughtful and so true. Adventures for everyone!
That is adorable. I’m in a crappy mood today and it made me smile. I love the last paragraph. It’s always best to be prepared, even if you’re adventuring where there is room service — my husband would probably agree!
That is quite possibly the best letter ever written. I hope his parents will get a copy. I also hope that you can send him a copy the day he graduates from high school. He may need to read it again later.
heart melting – so sweet!
oh wow… how precious is he!
That’s fantastic. I give him an A despite spelling errors. No wonder you were smiling big!
I definitely think though that you should go on an adventure with room service. And maybe a whirlpool tub. Cuz those are nice.
freaking fantastic. i’m in love with “kevin”.
Very persuasive!! Everything about that letter was amazing, but he had me at “You helped me go on adventures with the books we read this year so now it’s your turn for something exctiting!!!” :)
“And make you have one of those whoa moments that you need.” YES.Because what sort of adventure is it without a “WHOA!” moment? This kid gets two thumbs up from me.
This is beyond adorable.
This is just too sweet for words. I may have cried a little, but I’m pregnant and cry at everything.
This just makes me smile and want to go on many of my own adventures this summer!
Most adorable post I’ve read in a long while. Wish I would have become a teacher now. Love this!
Oh cuteness, thats really brilliant. Yay for clever students who care :)
As a fellow teacher, this totally warms my soul. How freaking cute and adorable is he? The whoa moment? Love it. So cute.
Okay, this is too adorable. Kevin makes me want to be a teacher so kids can write me persuasive letters telling me to go on a summer adventure and have fun experiances. :)
BEST.THING.EVER!
Absolutely LOVE it!! Any teacher would love to get such a letter :)
If I happen to have a son in the future, I want a son like this kid. So ADORABLE!
So, where you going to go?
Aww. Someone gets an A!
that kid is adorable. makes me think of mini-walter. :)
also, how hot and awesome is HAD for sending them presents? awh.
Seriously? How cute is that kid! I mean he has it all figured out in grade 4. That’s pretty amazing.
PS I think you totally should take his advice. :-) Just sayin…
This is the cutest thing ever. EVER.
I love little kids for exactly this reason.
Aw man. Hahaha That kid’s amazing. I think you should follow his advice and go on an adventure H.A.D. and make sure to bring your hairbrush :P
We all need those “whoa moments.” Love it.
Best advice EVER.
Please tell me you gave him an A+ for being awesome in spite of the spelling and grammatical errors because this kid is majorly awesome. Normally kids (and pregnant women) scare the crap out of me, but reading this made me consider going into pediatrics. But then I remembered that kid who nearly kicked me in the face when I tried to listen to his heart. That was not a good “whoa moment.”
Oh my gosh, how adorable is that? So sweet!
“Mackup”? I laughed out loud. How fantastic, thanks for sharing with us!
Officially the most amazing thing ever. I think we all need those ‘whoa moments,’ and often. He is very wise. Although I generally go for adventures with room service, yes.
You must be the best teacher in the whole world. That letter is amazing. I can’t get over it.
Very cute and I totally agree with him! I like how he nailed persuasive and procedural writing.
:)
Seriously the cutest thing ever! I hope that after reading his letter, you decide to go on a summer adventure, I know that I want to now!
This is the best note EVER! And he is right, please do not forget some hunting tools even if you go to a place with room service. You really would rather be safe than sorry!
Hope you and H.A.D. have a wonderful summer adventure :)
adorable.
i need some notes from kevin in my life!
Classic!
That kid deserves a hug, and maybe a taco. :) He is right though, you’ve had a rough year I think a summer adventure is in order. Just don’t forget your knife or hairbrush.
So sweet!
ah! I love this! What an awesome kid. I hope you take his advice and go on an adventure. I bet he would love to hear about it. I’d say it’s pretty persuasive too. This makes me miss being a teacher.
This made my morning! Thanks for sharing….Now I feel like I need to plan an adventure – where to go? That is the most important part! LOL
This is brilliant! I love his spirit and love the part about the room service :) Definitely agree – you deserve an adventure this summer :)
Awwww this is the best thing I’ve read this morning, I’m still smiling :) What a cute kid!!!
That is WAY too freaking adorable! What a great kid :-)
What a sweet kid. I hope you gave him an A.
That kid rocks!! What a great essay!
So, where are you going on your big adventure?
This is awesome, and I agree… even with room service it’s better to be safe than sorry. Take yourself on that adventure.
How awesome is THAT?! Did the kid get a good grade?
I hope you always have wonderful adventures, wherever they take you :o)
That’s the cutest thing ever! Love it =) I think my favorite line may be that he knows that girls use “those things.”
wow, what am amazing kid! you must feel so loved. This is possibly the cutest thing I’ve read…ever.
I love the last step. Definitely better to be safe than sorry! Even if there’s room service.
This is the CUTEST THING I have read in the longest time.
That’s so sweet! And, seriously, I hope you take his advice. ;)
What an awesome letter. My daughter is a fourth grader and I can just see some of her classmates’ brains thinking this way. What a wondeful way to end a year!
This is the best thing I’ve read in a long time. And highlights for me why I love teaching so much. Fourth graders are often smarter than adults on so many levels.
Hope you have an adventure this summer. xo
You must be a wonderful teacher. :)
This is beyond adorable.
“Kevin” loves you soooo much, Miss V. I am astounded at his intuition. Adventures with room service are always an excellent Plan B even when attempting adventures without them. Super awesome.
This was awe inspiring!
Love it, every word. You must be an amazing teacher :) Kids say the best things! Thanks for sharing.
Best. Kid. Ever.
Clearly, this kid is a genius. And I hope you take his advice this summer. :)
Omg, this just made my day. Seriously. What a clever kid.
“…at first adventures are fun alone but then they get either lonely or boring so take him because you are friends with him and he can draw you comics when you are waiting and stuff. It’s also dangerous to travel alone.”
I’m in the middle of my 9 millionth solo business “adventure” on the road and have to admit this made me a little misty. Lonely or boring, indeed. I’m homesick for my own partner-in-crime.
There’s a reason for the saying, “out of the mouths of babes”. He is insightful and adorable! I loved reading this…thanks so much for posting it. And I agree, his parents need a copy of this!