End of Year Noticings by Wendy Chaulk

Looking out at my class
Heads down
Pencils scrawling
Pens flitting
Stories telling
Notebooks filling

Looking out at my class
Smiles flow
Laughs develop
Discussions grow
Caring comments
Questions answered

Looking out at my class
Shoulders drop
Eyes fill
Cheeks moisten
Lips upturn
Sigh escapes

Looking back to the start
Heads down
Pencils breaking
Pens destroyed
Stories untold
Notebooks blank

Looking forward to next fall
Same students and room
Increasing expectations
Knowing they’ll soar
Knowing they’ll fly

End of year noticings
All are thinking
Even me
All are growing
Even me
All are writing
Even me
All are sharing
Even me
All are staying
Even me



Wendy Chaulk is finishing her nineteenth year as a teacher. She has taught fourth grade in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; second grade in Jacksonville, NC; K-5 special education in Rio Rancho, NM; 4-6 special education in Gillette, WY; and currently teaches in a fifth and sixth grade looping classroom in Gillette, Wyoming . She loves teaching, writing, cooking, and camping. You can connect with Wendy on Twitter (@wluvs2teach) and on her blog (https://chaulk-it-up.blogspot.com/).