After Christmas, usually start counting down the weeks until school is out, as a teacher and as a parent of four school-aged children. I'm tired of all of the planning, pushing, and probing I need to do with myself and my kids in order to keep up somewhat.
However, the last day of school of school came too quickly for me this year. I had the best group of 7th and 8th grade students, ever, this year. We all really bonded this year. When we fill out the application into CCI, we have agree to have at least one social event at our house for the grade level our students are in. With a one day a week school, the need for social event is keenly felt by middle school and high school students. In the past, most parents haven't actually followed through with the required social event. However, this year, the kids enjoy each other so much that they seem to have a party every month. It's very natural.
For literature class, I have my students write journal entries, and I have them write papers on their reactions to the books we read. I am privileged to be able to get an inside view somewhat is going on in their hearts and heads. My students are not perfect (almost!), but it is exciting to see them becoming thoughtful and discerning young men and women with their own unique thoughts. From 7th to 8th grade, the kids really seem to grow up alot, not only physically, but spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, too. I love getting to watch that and be a part of that.
So, as I watched my 8th graders receive their awards at the awards ceremony, I just couldn't help but cry, cry, cry. I am not ready to say good-bye to them as my students, but I must.
A week and a half later, it is time to say good-bye to Rockster and Pony's teachers. Rockster had a very upbeat, kind teacher. She was patient, and thankfully, she really seemed to enjoy Rockster which was a huge blessing to me since his last year's teacher didn't so much. :( I really liked her, but unfortunately, I didn't really like his class as a whole. There were some alpha types who were unkind. I have learned that even the best teachers have years where they struggle with their students every day. I had the feeling when I spent time with this class that these students didn't trust each other and hadn't bonded. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm also basing that on talking to another parent who had a child in that class as well as hearing from Rockster. Still, Rockster made great progress in his reading and math this year, but he is still behind on his writing. His teacher kept on us all year to work on his writing at home, but I could tell when he would get home from school that his batteries were all used up. He told me that he felt like he was always behind on his schoolwork, and he felt overwhelmed with all of the schoolwork. I also noticed when I helped out in the classroom one day that he was aware of what everyone else in the class was doing and what they were needing, but he wasn't so aware of the task that HE was supposed to be doing. He made it clear to me that he really wanted to be homeschooled next year, and after watching him at school, I could see that homeschooling might just be what he needs to catch up and feel successful again. I'm a little nervous about how I will do with the transition of having a child who needs a great deal of my time at home again next year. Rockster is strong-willed and does not like to write, so I know we are going to be butting heads at first, so I'm going to have to stay strong for his good!
Pony was supposed to start homeschooling next year, but he has been thriving at school and really wanted to stay at his school for his last year. He wanted to be on the safety patrol, something only 5th graders can do, too. So he will continue to go there next year.
For 3rd grade, he was put in Mrs. B's class. Her reputation based on other parents I talked to was that she was a no nonsense teacher who expected kids to do what she said the FIRST time and didn't give second chances. I also heard that she did not like the kids to talk in class and that she was kind of "old school", but that she never yelled at the kids. I kind of liked hearing this because it sounded like she would at least have a well-behaved class, and I think kids are too coddled these days anyways, and I always take the teachers' reps with a grain of salt b/c I know that I would have very different reps based on which students and their parents of mine you asked. ;) I just hoped she would have some warmth to her, too.
Well, it turned out that, yes, she did have pretty high expectations of her students, but she was also as funny as all get out! Pony's would come home and tell me stories that she told them that were so funny and personal. He loved the phrases she used like, "Rut-ro!" or "Chihuahua!" or "Aye-yi-yi!". She would say things like, "I know I'm a hundred years old, so just do this for an old lady." Pony also loved her facial expressions and could totally imitate them! The fact that his best friend was also in the class made his life very sweet. She and I clicked at first because we love the same kids' books. She would tell me that almost every book she would pick to read to the class, Pony would say, "Oh yeah, my family already read that book." Pony made so much progress in her class. So, at the end of the year last year when she made it known that she wanted to move up to 4th grade with this same class, I was beyond thrilled! This class had that same supportive, positive, bonded vibe going on, too!
I , along with the mom of Pony's BFF, signed up to be her homeroom moms. It was great to work with her, and we became better friends. I loved the way Pony's teacher was so organized and consistent, and yet, she was so fun. I would ask her advice for how to be a better teacher, and one thing she recommended was having the kids get out from their desks and onto the floor with their white boards while she taught them. She also said to involve them in a lot of group work. I did those things, and they really helped to get my students engaged, even in 7th and 8th grade.
Anyway, Mrs. B and her students continued to get bonded and continued to excel academically. They were really in a groove, and they all seemed so happy every time I went in to help out with parties and projects. It was magical. It felt the same way as it did during Rockster's kindergarten year!
And just like it was so hard for me to watch Rockster leave his perfect kindergarten teacher and his wonderful kindergarten class, I felt the same way about Mrs. B's class. It is SO sad to me that he is not going to be in her class next year. I don't even want to think about it. It actually makes my stomach tighten up to think of it. Thankfully, Rockster's kindergarten teacher and I still remain to be good friends, and hopefully, I'll be able to stay in contact with Pony's teacher. Maybe that is unrealistic when they have so many students each year, but I feel like they are my sister-teachers!
I was thinking that I really have Stuart to thank for pushing me to put Pony and Rockster into public school because I have met two of the greatest ladies there who have brought me and my boys so much joy, not to mention Pony's BFF who I like SO much! I also have to thank God that He allowed my children to be in their classes!
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