Surviving 4th Grade

My mother's been cleaning her desk, and when I stopped over there today to feed the donkeys, she handed me my fourth grade "progress report." My most impressive attribute was my perfect attendance. The areas in which I was evaluated included "work habits" "social development" "health and safety." Apparently I listened attentively, followed directions and worked without disturbing others, but my social development was lacking. Especially low were my "self confidence" and "takes care of personal belongings." The academic areas were also evaluated. My strongest area was mathematics, and my weakest was handwriting. Also I was weak in music and physical education. My language skills were adequate, but I had low marks in "writes creatively" and "exhibits interest in creative writing." My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. G, had also been my second grade teacher. The greatest burden in being in Mrs. G's class was that she picked her nose and then ate it. This habit of hers saddened me so profoundly I could not look her in the eye. Some of her written comments on this report seem cryptic. For example, she wrote, "Bonnie does seem to be trying to be more original in her writing. Bonnie has made many adjustments this year and I feel has come to appreciate them. She is accepting new situations with more enthusiasm." I can't help but feel touched, however, that she finished with, "I'll certainly miss having her around."