how to survive in middle school according to my students.

(cords: Target, blouse: TJ Maxx, sweater: thrifted, sandals: Old Navy, necklace: Forever 21)

This is it, the last day of school. Pretty much my favorite day of the year. It’s better than Christmas, my birthday, and opening day at Frosty Boys (my hometown ice cream place) put together.

No more seventh graders for two months.

At the end of every year, I have my students write a letter to next year’s seventh graders. They give advice on how to handle middle school, what to know about my class, their favorite things from this year, and other random things that pop into their brains. It’s one of my favorite activities: reading what they think is important, what they think about my class, and what they remember best. Last year’s class was full of good observations.

This year’s class didn’t disappoint either.

Dear (next year’s) 7th graders:

Don’t make her mad.

Ms Graham seems mean, but she’s really not.

Ms. Graham is very sarcastic and funny.

Warning: DO NOT GET MS. GRAHAM MAD. Very bad idea.

Ms. Graham is very strict. But she does it so you can learn and get good grades.

Don’t smart talk her.

She sees everything, be careful.

Ms. Graham has beautiful children.

On TV they make passing periods look long, but they’re really not so be careful.

You better behave in here or else.

Don’t goof off too much because it makes your grade go down. I learned that from experience.

You will love when Ms. Graham reads aloud.

Don’t get sent to STR because you will have to eat your pizza without hot sauce, BBQ sauce, or ranch.

You will never get bored seeing what colors Ms. Graham is wearing.

First off, DO NOT give Ms. Graham sassiness because she can give more back.

Act up just enough to get sent to the office twice a year. But no more than that.

Ms. Graham has a short fuse. BOOM there goes the dynamite.

Don’t talk while Ms. Graham is talking, she is the meanest teacher in the whole seventh grade. Ask anybody.

Your new LA teacher is super funny and likes to have a good time, but if you are not doing what you are supposed to, she will get really mean.

At the beginning of the year, I hated reading, but now because of Ms. Graham, I don’t hate it as much.

Don’t talk back to Ms. Graham because she is crazy and she will hurt you. My favorite thing is that she loves to talk about the books she’s reading. Ms. Graham loves to read all types of books.

Go ahead and do us all a favor and put your phone on silent. She’s taken, like, half our class’ phones because they went off in class.

One thing I dislike right now is that I won’t be in this class next year.

If you’re a goofy or funny person, make the class laugh at appropriate times so it doesn’t disrupt anyone’s learning. Then you will get along with Ms. Graham.

Read as much as you can. Trust me, if you’re not a reader, Ms. Graham will turn you into one. Just be willing to try with her.

Ms. Graham is a fun teacher but once you push her bottom she will go off on you. (Side note: Thankfully, I have yet to have a student push my bottom. That sounds like something that would create a lot of paperwork…)

Do not argue with Ms. Graham, you will not win.

Do not get on Ms. Graham’s bad side cause I’m warning you, she will flame you and put you on hush mouth.

Ms. Graham can dress very good.

Ms. Graham is evil.

Ms. Graham is not in a good mood sometimes.

Respect Ms. Graham’s books, she really loves them.

Out of the mouths of babes…