Today they had to work in groups on a section of a handout about strategies relating to research. Then one person was responsible for "teaching" that section to the class.
One of my tough but darling students was up at the front, ditching his often whiny and self-depricating tone in favor of a mock-teacher voice that was sincerely engaging, and the room was mostly quiet. It was almost miraculous. When some students were chatting while he was trying to explain how you put a source on a notecard, he said "Man, I see what you mean Ms. Craven. It annoying when people be talking while you up here! I see what you mean." That little comment in front of the class lifted a significant number of bricks off my shoulders at that moment.
In more medical news, I'm pretty sure another one of my students got a concussion today. Apparently he passed out at lunch and the other kids were throwing pinecones at him (darling, aren't they?) During the last minutes of class he was asleep hard... I had him stand up and he fell asleep again, wobbling back and forth supported by my arms. He came to after the bell rang and walked just fine out of the classroom, but I was really worried. I called his dad and talked to the administration. No one seemed particulary concerned. It was a little bizarre.
Canceling tutoring this afternoon was one of the best decisions of my recent life. I came home and took a 45-minute nap instead. I'm still counting down (incessantly), but I'm feeling less dismal than yesterday.
Maybe next I will work at a farm. Something tangible and quiet. Middle schoolers are from another world.
2 comments:
Carrie,
Make the most of every "Silver lining."
Middle schooler's are indeed from another world. I love kids, loved my own but if ever there was a time when I might have given them back, those were the years. Then they go to high school and become human again.
We had some sayings when my kids, including your mom, were young and they were on the swim team.
One was "Any O'Sullivan can if she tries." The other was "We can, we can, we will, we will, we did, we did!"
The first of these I changed from a marine motto that I saw at Camp Pendleton. The latter has been around forever. Aunt Christie took it to heart and when she was a senior in high school, she had it engraved on a silver tray and presented it to me at her last athletic banquet. Next time your in Poway, I'll show it to you.
Hang in there my love. You are cut from a great bolt of cloth.
I love you.
Grandma
First of all: your grandma is one cool lady.
Second: I'm calling you soon to hear all about school! :)
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