Confessions of a 3rd Grade Classroom

About three years ago, during the second week of school, I came down with the flu quite suddenly and was forced to call in for a substitute to cover for my class of third graders. This is something teachers usually try to avoid at all costs because it takes some time to establish a strong classroom community where you can then leave your students in the hands of a stranger and feel somewhat confident that this adult will come out alive. On that dismal Tuesday, apparently an "incident" had taken place in the library during my absence and my students had been asked to write out their confessions on index cards for me to read upon my return. 

I had forgotten about that day, until recently, when I was sorting through some of my school files and rediscovered the original notes. As I read the written treasures of 8 and 9 year olds, I laughed out loud as I, once again, heard the voices and pictured the faces of my students. I don't think you have to be their teacher to appreciate the following confessions of a 3rd grade classroom. I am posting them as they were written, but I have changed the names to protect the not so innocent.

(Note: Mrs. Campbell was the librarian that my students were asked to write their apologies to.)

Dear Mrs. Campbell, I am sorry I was kind of messing around but I'm sorry I was acting up.
from, Jason

I was wonderful. I did nothing. I have been good. Next time I will be quiet.

Destinee

I was playing around. I was talking. Sorry.

Sabastian

I was telling people to go back to their seats. They would not listen to me. I was right.

Patricia

I did not do nothing. I am clueless.

Sincerely, Robert

I was talking so I had to move to a different table.

Chandler

I was wondering what was happening. Everyone was yelling and screaming. Not me. 

Bye bye, T.J.

Dear Mrs. Ewbank, I am sorry I was loud in the library. We are in big trouble.

from Lori

I was doing nothing. I was doing my work. I just saw that T.J. and Chandler and A.J. were playing around. Me and Destinee were just working. That is it.

Vivian

I am clueless, but my partner, Carrie, was up and about and yelling, Mrs. Campbell.

Staci

Me and T.J. were working and then we were finished and I didn't know what was happening. Me, T.J., Jason and Jordan were kind of playing, but not that much.

Leslie

I'm sorry for what I did.

Jake

I have know idea what you are talking about.

Kevin

In the library I was laughing at Jason because when we were in the library we were working together. He was using his pencil as a hockey stick and he was using a big crayon as the hockey puck, and they flew everywhere.

Jordan

Dear Mrs. Campbell, I am clueless. What happened?  

Kyle

Me and Staci were just doing what we were supposed to do but the whole class was loud.

Carrie

I am clueless and I know who did it but I do not want to say who it was. It was Chandler and A.J.  The principal came in and said we were too loud and moved the two of them.

Jazmin

I have no idea of what happened in the library. I have nothing to say right now. I am good in the library. I am always good in the library. I am always good.

Kate

Library is the best. Mrs. Campbell is the best librarian. The substitute is the best. Mrs. Ewbank is the best. Sorry.

Teena