Last week my class and I had multiple heart-to-heart conversations about showing respect for one another and, equally important, themselves. I tried to stress that the more they misbehaved, the more disrespectful they were. When they were talking or flat out not listening to directions it wasn't just hurting me, or those around them, they were hurting themselves too.
The end of the year is stressful for everyone, and I know that it's the same with the students. (This post alone has made me break from my Weight Watchers plan. I've finished off a pint of Halo Top and now I'm eating Cheez-its.) It's the time of year when we expect more from them because they've been in school for almost 180 days. (Thanks, Irma.) We remind them that they are almost 3rd graders, they are leaders, and they have grown so much this year!
We also remind them to...
Stay in their seat.
Raise their hand.
Listen to directions.
Do their homework.
Did I mention stay in their seat?
Keep their hands to themselves.
Use their manners.
I could go on and on.
Point is, some days feel like a huge fail. It feels like the whole year has been leading up to this. THIS? Now, don't take this the wrong way. I love my class. I am not a fan of the relationship we have right now. We lack mutual respect and need it now more than ever. I know it isn't there but students say things jokingly but it actually hurts my feelings. How does a 34-year-old get her feelings hurt by a second grader? Let me count the ways...
Here's the thing. They don't have social cues to not say certain things, and to also not say certain things to adults. At some point we might want to sit back and think "Okay, parents should teach these things". Okay, but so should we.
That's what I'm trying to do. Desperately.
In the meantime I absolutely do not want my students to be scared of me. I don't want them to be fearful that they are going to get into trouble. I want them to feel loved, but also feel disciplined in the way that they can tell the right thing from the wrong thing.
Does that make sense?
I want them to be good humans.
So.
35 more days to make it happen.
Any suggestions?
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| I'm sure i've used this before. |
The last stretch before summer break is always such a turning point, mentally, with the kids. It's hard because they see a break in sight and they begin to focus on that part instead of getting what they need to get done, done (senioritis starts young, yo!). We are not in the home stretch just yet here but I'm already getting nervous for that point. Do you use Go Noodle or do brain breaks? I feel like that really helps in G's classroom. We are talking about doing a STEM camp for gardening this summer and I've already been talking to the teachers there about maybe doing some short running races to get out some energy between sessions. You are far from the meanest teacher ever, btw. That award goes to Ms. Teller, my 4th grade teacher. ;)
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