As we head into the last few weeks of school, I find myself almost sad that I once again have to let go of my students for a new group in the fall. I feel this way each spring, but after more pull-my-hair-out, did-that-seriously-just-happen, we-are-having-this-conversation-again, if-he/she-was-asked-to-stop-why-would-you-be-able-to-do-that? moments in the last few months than the first four years combined, I have to admit I am a little surprised. Maybe as the snow has finally melted, the sun stays up later, and the temperatures slowly climb back up, I too am thawing out a little.
Ita and I have had quite the adventure this year with those grade 4 kiddos. Honestly, there were more tough days than good. More days we 'survived' than would wish to repeat. I am sad to admit that, and in many ways that admission makes me feel like a (really) bad teacher. But, it is still true.
Also true is the fact that Ita and I did not give up on them.
We said we had. Many times.
We felt like we had. Often.
Maybe, in some ways, for a few things, we did. (Like the way all the PE bags never seemed to find their way back out of the classroom on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Or the fact that some of them still have terrible handwriting. And the talking...oh, the incessant chatting.)
We wanted to give up.
We wanted to not care (it would have been easier).
But we couldn't and we didn't.
And now, we kind of like them....They are our kiddos.
Even when we didn't really want to claim them.
Ita and I talk about her first year in the classroom like a terrible war she survived. In many ways it was. But there were good times and moments as well. We have seen each student learn and grow in some way. We have shared a few laughs and plenty of celebrations.
I was on recess duty last Thursday. I wandered out to the far corner of the playground field where a good portion of my kiddos use the tires, sticks, and bricks to create some pretty cool forts. This particular day though, they just stacked a few tires each and lounged about in them. As they chatted about the latest fourth-grade gossip, I watched. I admired the teamwork, sharing, and sense of comfort they had with one another.
I like trying to think of a word or short phrase to explain each group of students I have. I think I will remember this group as a bunch of sour-patch kids, like the movie theater candy. They certainly all bring a different flavor to the class. And the initial impression is pretty intense and can shock the system. Too many and too much of them can leave a bad taste. But, they are also sweet, tangy, and fun. When I eat sour patch kids, my tongue and taste buds suffer for a few days. And yet, I continue to eat and enjoy them! These kids are quite similar. In spite of the many times this class has driven me mad, I'd still take them all back again. Well... maybe not all of them. I don't eat the grape sour-patch kids either though ;)
We have three weeks left in the year. Although I am very much looking forward to summer and the upcoming bunch of students, a small part of me will absolutely travel with these current kiddos. I will still see them (and undoubtedly *hear* them) in the hallways each day- and I will be happy with those moments. I am sure I will continue to get a daily hug from a few of the girls and joke with the boys.
They really have grown a lot since the fall. It's easy to forget about those things, but each one in their way has changed a bit. And next year that will of course continue. But I am sure, their sweet-and-(OhSoVery)-sourness will remain.
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| The bottom two photos sum up the year pretty well... |
Also true is the fact that Ita and I did not give up on them.
We said we had. Many times.
We felt like we had. Often.
Maybe, in some ways, for a few things, we did. (Like the way all the PE bags never seemed to find their way back out of the classroom on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Or the fact that some of them still have terrible handwriting. And the talking...oh, the incessant chatting.)
We wanted to give up.
We wanted to not care (it would have been easier).
But we couldn't and we didn't.
And now, we kind of like them....They are our kiddos.
Even when we didn't really want to claim them.
Ita and I talk about her first year in the classroom like a terrible war she survived. In many ways it was. But there were good times and moments as well. We have seen each student learn and grow in some way. We have shared a few laughs and plenty of celebrations.
I was on recess duty last Thursday. I wandered out to the far corner of the playground field where a good portion of my kiddos use the tires, sticks, and bricks to create some pretty cool forts. This particular day though, they just stacked a few tires each and lounged about in them. As they chatted about the latest fourth-grade gossip, I watched. I admired the teamwork, sharing, and sense of comfort they had with one another.
I like trying to think of a word or short phrase to explain each group of students I have. I think I will remember this group as a bunch of sour-patch kids, like the movie theater candy. They certainly all bring a different flavor to the class. And the initial impression is pretty intense and can shock the system. Too many and too much of them can leave a bad taste. But, they are also sweet, tangy, and fun. When I eat sour patch kids, my tongue and taste buds suffer for a few days. And yet, I continue to eat and enjoy them! These kids are quite similar. In spite of the many times this class has driven me mad, I'd still take them all back again. Well... maybe not all of them. I don't eat the grape sour-patch kids either though ;)
They really have grown a lot since the fall. It's easy to forget about those things, but each one in their way has changed a bit. And next year that will of course continue. But I am sure, their sweet-and-(OhSoVery)-sourness will remain.
