The room will quiet and empty today. It's going to seem quite weird.

But, fifth-grade had "Stepping Up" last night so none of them will be here.

They're done with elementary school, so I expect they'll stay away.

(Just who is reading this silly poem, anyway?)

There's no one here to do Morning Work, or study the Civil War.

No one to leave their messy trash all around the floor.

No one to give me a headache with all their unnecessary noise.

No over-talkative little girls or hyperactive little boys!

What in the world will I do? Well, let me see . . .

I could listen to my Ipod or pop in a dvd.

I could catch up on my correspondence, or straighten up my messy desk.

It certainly needs a cleaning, it's looking quite grotesque!

I could visit other teachers and learn a few new things.

I could go out to the playground and play for hours on the swings.

There are all sorts of things that I can do without all those student distractions.

Maybe I'll just relax a while, then I'll SPRING right into action.

Bur first I'll check my email . . . well, here's one I didn't expect.

Apparently, my quiet day has just been thoroughly wrecked.

The first email that I see is from Ms. Collins and Mr. Martignetti.

You know, in a way it's a sick, mean joke on you fifth-graders, and on me.

Even though you have "Stepped Up" and you're off to middle school,

you have another seven days with Mr. Mac! Isn't that just cruel?