Fourth grader's drawing labeled "Take deep breaths!" across the top. The rest of the note is split into two panels. The panel on the left is labeled "In". and shows a drawing of a brown-haired girl wearing a red shirt and smiling with her mouth closed. The panel on the right shows the same girl with her mouth in an "O" shape, and lines coming out to show breath.

We start state testing next week, so I had the kids write some positive notes that I could put on their desks to lift their spirits while they're deep in it. I'm keeping this one forever because it looks like how I feel each morning this time of year. Deep breath in.... and.... scream. 😂 #iteach4th

I would ask the neighbor's dog why he doesn't like (unspecified), and the neighborhood cat why she's always pregnant.

I would do nothing. I'm not a hero. I'm a 10 year old. What did you expect me to do.

These kids kill me. (Translations in alt text for those not skilled in reading 4th grade scrawl.)

#iteach4th

We're going on a field trip to the state Capitol soon, and the kids have been getting really excited. Yesterday, out of nowhere, one of my boys asks, "If we see Bob Ferguson at Olympia, can I say,''ello, Guvna!'?"

Shocked into laughter, I replied, "I will pay you cash money if you do."

#iteach4th

A printed math problem states that a group of 137 students and 15 adults go to a museum. The students and adults have to take the elevator to the 6th floor. The elevator can hold a maximum of 12 people, and at least one adult must ride with each group of students on the elevator. Part A asks what is the fewest number of elevator trips it will take to get all of the students and adults to the 6th floor. Part B asks what is the fewest number of people in the final elevator trip. No student work is shown on the page.

I was sitting with a student as he tried to come up with a strategy to figure this one out. Another student sitting across from us glanced over at the paper and announced, "Oh yeah, I already solved that one! I made them take the stairs."

#ITeach4th #AlmostSpringBreak #NeverEnoughCoffee

(4/4)

At least he had the good sense to look abashed. 😂 They're so lucky that by this time of the year I love them to pieces, 'cause I'm ready to chuck them over to 5th grade already.

#talesfrom4thgrade #iteach4th

Student: "Why can't we go on the field during recess?!"

Me: "There was a coyote out there this morning - we want to be sure it's gone."

Student: (sullen silence followed by grumbling under his breath) "I could take a coyote."

#BoyVsWild #iteach4th

Me: Sam has 197 square tiles. He's building a rectangular mural that is 6 tiles wide. Could Sam use all of his tiles in the mural?

M: I got this! No, because 6 is an EVEN number and 197 is an ODD number and no multiple of 6 will EVER be odd because that's just PHYSICS.

#hmm #notreally #iteach4th

Writing prompt asking the student if there is anything they want their teacher to know. The student wrote, "Ms. Allen, you need to calm down someday."

Who needs therapy when you have a 9-year-old life coach?

#iteach4th

(2/2)

I said, "You want to talk rough winters!" and then lost the next half hour to an impromptu tour through kid-appropriate books about the Donner Party. They loved it, I had 100% engagement, and I regret nothing.

#talesfrom4thgrade #iteach4th

One of my amazing colleagues had her 5th graders make bookmarks for staff members or fellow students, and I was handed these by some former students this afternoon. My heart is SO full. 😍

#talesfrom4thgrade #iteach4th #whyiteach

When you have a super literal group of kids.

#talesfrom4thgrade #iteach4th

(3/3)

"It's too bad it's National Squirrel Appreciation Day. I bet a lot of squirrels lived in that tree." He pivoted again and walked back to his seat, as if he didn't just leave me devastated over squirrels I've never even met.

#wontsomebodythinkofthesquirrels #talesfrom4thgrade #iteach4th