Writing as a Gift

Throughout the last three years with my students that just graduated as 8th graders, I tried to weave in writing as a gift at different times, including letters of appreciation, poems, and scrapbooking. When I was thinking about their graduation, I decided to give them a gift of writing mixed with a tool to work toward their long term goals. Earlier this year I ordered writer's notebooks from Office Depot. I wanted to have designs that were different than the standard marbled composition books that we use in class.

The designs that arrived were mostly different than the example pictures on the site when I placed the order, so I was a little disappointed. Yet, the students seemed to like the different designs, which is what was most important. They each picked out a style (without knowing what it would be for). On the first page I glued in a letter to my students in an envelope and on the second page I glued in a separate envelope with notes that they wrote to each other, stating what they appreciated or highlighting best qualities that they see in each other.

The intent of the notebook was for them to record different activities that they are involved in as high schoolers, as well as recording their everyday ups and downs as inspiration for future scholarship essays (as well as the benefits of documenting their lives). I also gave them fun sized chocolate to go with it and to celebrate their sweet successes. Though I know that not all students will use them and they probably appreciated them at varying levels, I was glad that I was able to do something small in order to show that I appreciated having them in my classroom as well as providing them a tool to get themselves one step closer to their future goals. I have also considered offering a scholarship essay writer's workshop for them when they approach their senior year.

Here is an excerpt from the letter that I wrote to them, which in many ways ties back to a lot of our classroom discussions:

I look forward to hearing about your future successes. As you get ready for high school and beyond, here are some thoughts that I have found to be essential, as I have navigated different levels of school and through life experiences:

• Always try your hardest, and be content with your best. Nobody can be the best at everything, so realize that you will excel in some areas, while other areas can be just for fun. Celebrate in your individual growth, even if it does not seem like much in comparison to others. You too will have areas in which you will shine. Never allow fear of failure to be the best hold you back from experiences and opportunities where you can grow and contribute.
• Decide what is most important to you and work hard to set your priorities in order to work toward your goals. Surround yourself with others who will support and encourage you along the way as well as help you to make positive decisions. 
• When you meet challenges, take a deep breath and think about different areas of support. List out all you need to do and prioritize them so it does not feel so overwhelming. Spend time with family and friends. Laugh hard. Cry. Focus and refocus on what is important, and no matter how difficult it seems to reach your goals, keep on making steps toward accomplishing them. Eventually you will get there. 
• Words are powerful. Use them to make your community better and to inspire others to do the same.
• Above all, remember who you are and what is important to you.

These last three years have gone by quickly, and in the same amount of time you will find yourselves as seniors in high school – almost ready to make another big transition in your educational careers. During your senior year you will have an opportunity to apply for scholarships. A couple of essential components for scholarship applications are essays and lists of your involvement in a wide range of activities in and out of school.

I hope that you will take the time to use this last writer’s notebook from me as a tool to document your life, which will aid you in writing your eventual scholarship essays. You can reserve the first few pages to list out different activities in which you are involved. Often committees want to know how you have been a productive member of your school and community, such as clubs, sports, and community service. I had not realized that when I was a freshman and it was a little bit hard to go back and try to remember everything. With the rest of your pages, you can record your ups and downs – your strong emotions, those defining moments in your life along with the everyday slice of life stories. Consider how you face challenges and how you stay focused on your goals. Let your personality shine through.