Good morning everyone!

Today is June 22. It is Wednesday.

We have a change in our normal schedule today, namely your 5^th grade graduation.

Congratulations to all of you. What a fantastic year we had together.

My class knows that for me, every moment of the day is precious. Teaching time is so valuable, that I wanted to use this opportunity to review one last important subject--adverbs. Yes, lowly adverbs, the Cinderella of parts of speech.

In English grammar, nouns, verbs and adjectives tend to steal the show. Mark Twain even said, “I am dead to adverbs; they cannot excite me.”

But no longer…today during this graduation speech I hope to make you see how wonderful adverbs are.

Now, I will describe the function of adverbs quickly and painlessly.

First, a definition:

An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. In this case, " modifies" means "tells more about." Adverbs also help to tell "how," "when" or "where" the action took place.

Let’s have an example.

Sam attempts new things wholeheartedly. In this case “wholeheartedly” modifies the verb “attempts. “       

Here’s another…

Sophia smiles endlessly. “Endlessly, the adverb tells how she smiles. Do you get the idea? Good. Let’s continue.

Lorenzo thinks deeply.                     

Margherita enjoys life gleefully.

Joshua’s blond hair curls enviably.                    

Giulia tells stories eagerly.

Tamira sings wonderfully.                   

Quentin speaks persuasively.

Federico uses technology intuitively.    

Livia P. does everything energetically.

Maria speaks more confidently.

 Livia R. performs skits divinely.                                   

Alex R. carries a gigantic book bag, happily.

Orsola understands new concepts easily.                 

Alexander S. can explain difficult ideas concisely.        

Jiaqi solves math problems passionately.                   

Gaia expresses her opinion convincingly.     

Min Soo attacks very difficult subjects, like magnetic fusion, courageously.

Tommaso does everything so smoothly.

And finally, even though he is not in my class, to my son Tristan, I stand before you proudly.

Like any good adverb, these children have modified or changed all of us for the better.

We look to these graduates to show us how our actions can be more meaningful-to tell us more about our world.

These young people will discover new ideas, travel to unimaginable new heights and create deep and lasting friendships.

Some day they may even grow up to be verbs! Action-oriented individuals!

But we don’t want to pressure you. This is only your 5^th grade graduation. You have years of study, many more graduations and a lifetime of learning ahead of you.

Oh, to be a young adverb again!

With this, my final lesson, I say goodbye reluctantly and hopefully.

Class dismissed. Thank you.