Name: ____________________________________________Period: _________ Date: ________________ “Dear Teachers” Writing

Read the poem below written by Sonya Sones in which she reflects on special teachers she has had the fortune of knowing.

Dear Teachers,To Mrs. Hunt,

my kindergarten teacher,who taught me the pleasure

of making up fairy tales in my mindto go with classical music

she played each day during nap time,I say thank you.

To Mrs. Savles,my third grade teacher,

who respected my creativity so muchthat she let me spend the whole day

working on my raindrop story,that time I was so inspired,

I say thank you.

To Mrs. Slotnick,my seventh grade English teacher,

who taught methat solace and salvation

can be foundin the pages of a diary,

I say thank you.

To Myra Cohn Livingston,the teacher I waited for all my life,

who taught methe infinite joy

of writing poetry,I say thank you.

And to all of you,who are out there every day,

teaching children to love the written word,I say thank you, thank you, thank you,for giving them this magnificent gift.

With deepest admiration and appreciation,Sonya Sones

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The author uses the following form for structuring her poem:To (name of the significant person),my (role that the person played),who…(describes the person’s influence in 3 or 4 lines)I say…(what you would say to the person)

By following the form above, fill in the names, roles, and significant contributions of teachers (remember these don’t necessarily have to be someone who teaches in a classroom) from your past. You can choose anyone that has taught you something. The people that you choose do not have to be teachers in the traditional sense. A coach, a youth group leader, a family member or religious leader who has shared life lessons would also be appropriate.

To ____________________________________________my _____________________________________________who ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ _____________________________________________I say ____________________________________________

To ____________________________________________my _____________________________________________who ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ _____________________________________________I say ____________________________________________

To ____________________________________________my _____________________________________________who ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ _____________________________________________I say ____________________________________________

Don’t forget to sign your name at the end like

Sonya!

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