In my first class I only had 7 girls, the other 12 were the silliest, most sensitive, sarcastic boys. I quickly learned that in order for any of my students to learn, I had to have all the boys engaged. The girls were laid back enough that they followed along with anything.
My second year, I had more girls than boys. They were full of drama, cried when the wind blew, and prided themselves on acting ditsy. I so badly missed that first group.
This year, I have more girls again. 12 girls. 5 boys. Five. They bring a new meaning to the term handful, but I adore them all. The girls are great too, but they often require more attention than my curious and independent little gentlemen. But this week I decided to spoil them.
They, the boys, are Loving this unit on energy! I usually break them up when we do group work, intentionally, of course. But this week I am allowing them to be a reading group all their own. The book is advanced but most of the boys are my higher readers anyway, and as per usual, they will drag the more-unfocused one along with them. The book is called 'Alternative Fuel Cars' and I almost forgot I had 12 other students today as we discussed the vocabulary and read through the introduction.
They began predicting what life will be like in 50 years, or in 100 years, because "scientific advancement will make us live to be, like, 1,000!" They took turns reading. They challenged each other to define words without looking. They started talking about what kind of alternative fuel they would use... one said air, another said his iphone, and one said foot power, to which another responded, "Dude. That's called a bike." THEY did this. I watched, and laughed with them, and every so often redirected their attention. But beyond that, there was little I had to do.
I sometimes (maybe too often) get frustrated with the boys. Usually the same 3 because they lack a mute button and are always making sounds. Always. They don't even realize there is sound coming out of them. But the truth is, I love hearing from my boys! They are a little group of brothers that fight, and compete, and encourage, and look out for each other. They rarely, if ever, complain about each other. They are a team. Today, I was supposed to be their coach, but they barely needed one.
Sure, I had to say, "please sit down" at least 100 times. And I had to remind one to keep his hands to himself, also at least 100 times. And one was covered from toe to hip in mud. But it was one of the best reading groups we've had thus far.
They may be a handful. But I am glad to call them mine.
My second year, I had more girls than boys. They were full of drama, cried when the wind blew, and prided themselves on acting ditsy. I so badly missed that first group.
This year, I have more girls again. 12 girls. 5 boys. Five. They bring a new meaning to the term handful, but I adore them all. The girls are great too, but they often require more attention than my curious and independent little gentlemen. But this week I decided to spoil them.
They, the boys, are Loving this unit on energy! I usually break them up when we do group work, intentionally, of course. But this week I am allowing them to be a reading group all their own. The book is advanced but most of the boys are my higher readers anyway, and as per usual, they will drag the more-unfocused one along with them. The book is called 'Alternative Fuel Cars' and I almost forgot I had 12 other students today as we discussed the vocabulary and read through the introduction.
They began predicting what life will be like in 50 years, or in 100 years, because "scientific advancement will make us live to be, like, 1,000!" They took turns reading. They challenged each other to define words without looking. They started talking about what kind of alternative fuel they would use... one said air, another said his iphone, and one said foot power, to which another responded, "Dude. That's called a bike." THEY did this. I watched, and laughed with them, and every so often redirected their attention. But beyond that, there was little I had to do.
I sometimes (maybe too often) get frustrated with the boys. Usually the same 3 because they lack a mute button and are always making sounds. Always. They don't even realize there is sound coming out of them. But the truth is, I love hearing from my boys! They are a little group of brothers that fight, and compete, and encourage, and look out for each other. They rarely, if ever, complain about each other. They are a team. Today, I was supposed to be their coach, but they barely needed one.
Sure, I had to say, "please sit down" at least 100 times. And I had to remind one to keep his hands to himself, also at least 100 times. And one was covered from toe to hip in mud. But it was one of the best reading groups we've had thus far.
They may be a handful. But I am glad to call them mine.
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