Name: ___________________________

Class Period: ______

Sentence Completions
1 Today I am
2 Reading is
3 The last thing I read
5 On YouTube, I
6 Video games
7 After school, I
8 My parents
9 I would rather
10 Science fiction stories are
11 Books about
12 I have to tell you
13 Online, I
14 CCHS is
15 This year I need to
16 Writing is
17 My strengths include
18 I feel proud when
19 Id write more if
20 One thing I want to ask you is
21 I accept
22 I dont like to
23 When I have an issue with
24 The kindest thing a teacher
25 If teachers would
Adapted from Allen, Janet. 1995. Its Never Too Late:
Leading Adolescents to Lifelong Literacy.
Portland, ME: Stenhouse.

Write me a letter. Its a tell me your favorite animal-food-band-YouTuber-pizza toppings sort of letter, but Id
love to hear about your history as a reader and a writer too.
Dear Favorite Student,
Can I just tell you that I am so happy you are in my class! We are
going to have an amazing year together. Its going to be a little
roughwe may have to move come January and February, but
we can handle it.
Ok, with that out of the way, let me tell you a little bit about me.
No judging please.
I love llamas and baby goats and Shih Tzus (all animals really). I
have a dog named Daisy. Shes black and white and three-yearsold. I do love a black and white dogespecially if she has secret
polka dotted markings. Daisys spots only show when she has a
short haircut. Dogs teach me lessons about relationships. She
reminds me to be happy to see people, to greet them and welcome
them. She shows me how to take my time and observe the world
around me. Did you know that animals help lower stress levels in
people and that looking at baby animals can de-stress a person?
True fact.
Another true fact about me is that I am a big nerd. I read and
write a lot, sometimes professionally. I noticed lately that how
much I read depends on what else is happening in my life. If Im
writinga book, poetry, a project, lots of blog poststhen I
dont read as much as when Im not in writing mode. Of the
books I read this summer, Station 11 blew me away. Its
Dystopian and I loved how the plot wove characters and issues
together. Glory OBrien and the History of the Future is another
book I fell in love with this summer. Its surreal. I get a lot of
ideas about how to be a better writer from books I read.
I watch more television now than I used to. I am a binge watcher.
I like to paint and draw, make art while Im watching to (or
listening) to a show. I love Sherlock (I need a new season!) and
Greys Anatomy and Grace and Frankie. I love watching videos
on YouTubeI can find out how to do just about anything by
searching YouTube. The Vlogbrothers, Hank and John Green, are
my go-to guys for inspiration. Good Mythical Morning and Kid
President make me laugh every time I watch them and Dustin at
Getting Smarter Everyday always teaches me something new.
I am a believer in meaning what you say and saying what you
mean. I am direct, sometimes I know I should smile more.
Sarcasm hurts my feelings. Im actually allergic to it. Youve
heard of someones throat closing up its like that. I carry an
EpiPen for it. I appreciate a quick wit and even a wry comment,
but the sarcasms scaths. I dont speak it or write it
I believe in meeting a person face-to-face and getting to know
them myself. Getting to know a person takes time and a open
heart and mind. I am looking forward to getting to know each of
you. In one way or another you will all be my favorite student.
Peace be with you,
Mrs. Spillane
Adapted from Allen, Janet. 1995. Its Never Too Late:
Leading Adolescents to Lifelong Literacy.
Portland, ME: Stenhouse.