“Here’s everybody’s report cards,”
said the teacher, Mrs. Bittermen.
Ella was
scared to see what was on her report card because she knew she did not do very
well on her worksheets and she did not pay attention in class. When Mrs. Bitterman
passed out the report cards, Ella got hers and took a look and saw all D’s.
She
felt like she wanted to scream but she could not because Mrs. Bittermen would
be mad. Then before she knew it, the bell rang and everybody scattered. So she
packed up all her things and ran down the hall to go outside and catch the
school bus.
Ella sat on
the bus next to a 6th grader and began to think of places to hide
her report card because she did not want her parents to see her bad grades. Her
parents would send her to summer school and she did not want that. Ella decided
the bookshelf would be a good place to hide it. When Ella got home she went to
the bookshelf and pretended to get a book to read. She hid the report card in
the very back so no one could see it.
Ella’s mom yelled out, “It’s time for
dinner,” and the whole family walked to the dinner table and sat down.
“Did you get your report card today?”
asked Ella’s mom to her sister, Thea.
“Yes, I did mom. Would you like to see it?” said Thea.
“Sure,” her mom smiled.
When Thea got up from the table to
get her report card in her backpack, the dining room got quiet.
Thea came back and handed the report
card to her mom. Her mom looked it over and then passed it to her dad.
“All A’s!?! We are so proud of you,” Thea’s
mom said. Then she turned to Ella and asked, “If Thea has her report card
shouldn’t you have one too?”
Ella was trying to think of what to
say then quickly said, “Mrs. Bittermen is going to hand out our report card later
this week… um…I’m done my dinner now so can I get washed up and go to bed? I’m
tired.”
“Sure,” said her dad.
Ella got up from
the dinner table, put her dishes in the sink and went upstairs to her bedroom.
As the days
passed Ella was trying to think of what to do. She decided that she should just
give up and show her report card to her parents on Friday. The week went by
slowly but finally Friday came. Ella hopped on the bus and sat down and waited
for the bus to start driving. As lots of kids were getting dropped off, Ella
was thinking of what her parents would say about her report card. When it was
her stop she was very nervous. Ella walked into her house and immediately her
parents said to her “Did you get your report card today?” Ella held her breath
and says “Yes. Would you like to see it?”
“Ok,” said her dad.
Ella grabbed the
report card from the book shelf and they all sat down in the living room to take a look.
When her parents opened the envelope they were surprised.
They looked at Ella
and said “At least you tried and you did you work. That’s all we really care
about.”
Ella was shocked. “I thought you wanted me to get good grades and I
thought if I did not get good grades you would send me to summer school.”
“Why
would you think that?” her dad asked.
“Well you guys like when Thea gets all
A’s on her report card and I thought you would get mad that I got all bad
grades.”
“I’m sorry it’s just that we get excited,” said her mom, “But we are
very proud of both of you.”
“Oh,” said Ella.
“Why don’t I make some of my
delicious chicken noodle soup and maybe I will make my donuts too” said her mom.
“Ok,” said Ella.
They sat
down at the dinner table and had a nice dinner and went to bed.
What a great story with such an important lesson too: trying your best really is what's most important! Thanks for sharing your story here. I'm going to share it with the teachers at my school. I think they'll like it too.
ReplyDeleteAviva
Grade 1/2 Teacher
Ancaster, ON
Misha,
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best stories I have read in a while. You've done an amazing job of looking at the complex side of life. I love the way you made Ella worry about comparing herself to her sister. That's so realistic. Something everyone can relate to.
Please write more stories.
It's an awesome story. I like the way that you included a sister in your story. My favourite parts of the story were when she showed the report card to the parents and when she hid it in the books.
ReplyDeleteWell done! Lots of readers can relate to feeling like they need to compare themselves to their siblings. I really enjoyed your story.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Bullock
Kitchener, ON
Misha,
ReplyDeleteI am a teacher AND a parent of 3 children. My oldest son and youngest daughter have an easy time with school, just like Thea. They usually get straight "A"s all the time. But my middle son struggles just like Ella, and his report card doesn't have straight 'A's either.
Your story reminds me of how important it is to highlight effort as opposed to results, and to make sure I make my son feel good about all of the other strengths he has like playing sports, being generous, and patient.
Success is not only measured by report cards, and your story is a great example of this!
Like Mr. Lee said, please write more stories!
Thank you!
Mrs. Sterling
What a lovely story Misha. As a teacher I have a hard time with report cards because as a mother I know how the marks and comments can make people feel. You've given me a lot to think about. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful talent. Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Tipping
Aloha Misha,
ReplyDeleteYou have shown great thought in writing this story. School is about children not about grades. Ella's reaction to her report card and feelings about herself is something we all experience at sometime in our lives. The hurt that happens even when we try our best is difficult.
I wish every child had parents like Ella's. That alone would make the world a better place.
Please continue your writing. I would love to read more.
A hui hou,
Mrs. Jacobs
Hello Misha,
ReplyDeleteI loved your story & loved the illustrations. It makes me think back to the days when I would share my report card with my parents....I was always nervous about how they would react!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story!