1999 that was the first year I started teaching 6th grade. That second year of teaching I got pregnant and took that little girl pictured below every day to school with me in my belly. I took her every day to the very school, the very classroom that she is now attending 6th grade in. Do you know how strange it is to work over a decade at a job and to tell parents all about the 6th grade mind and suddenly be on the other side of the table with a 6th grade mind living in my house?
I remember being in the staff room and having another teacher tell me that I would be an entirely different teacher when I had kids. I think she is right. Today when I dropped off my first born and I tried to bravely let her walk into the school by herself it took everything in my power to not run in after her and escort her to her first class. Then when I went on to work I saw my daughter in the eyes of numerous sixth grade girls today. I understood on a different level their nervous energy, their anxiety about lockers and big 8th graders, their anticipation about what the year would bring. I understood because I had been living with one for the past few weeks.
Here is my oldest on the first day of school. We are doing something different this year. We are part time homeschooling her. We are going to teach her reading, writing, social studies and math. We are going to do it along with a friend and between her, myself and Ken she will be completely covered. This is the right fit for us and I have to admit I am really excited about it. I live middle school on a
daily basis and I see and hear first hand the ugliness that can happen. There is a loss of innocence
that takes place. I am not naive enough that we are going to be able to keep her away from this,
but I hope is that this year she will be able to find a balance and have the comfort to talk to us
about the things she is facing.
In addition to this she is once again in giant classes. We are talking 36 and up per class. This is too many and for a girl who often simply gets ignored I want more for her. She isn't a behavior problem, she doesn't struggle academically and as a result teachers let her do her own thing. The reality is classroom sizes are going to go down anytime soon. So for this year this is the right answer for us.
Then there is this sweet boy. My little guy is going in to 3rd grade. His Mimi got him this shirt that says, "What if we all lived like heros?" and I think this is my classroom's new motto for the year. I love this shirt. I want one for myself. This sums up my boy perfectly. He lives by these words everyday. He is sweet and kind, he looks for ways to help others. He is funny and independent, but at the same time such a protector and a compassionate person.
He is absolutely thrilled to finally have so many of his best buddies in his class. His teacher is super nice, Mrs. Johnson, and I think we are going to have a great year.
This poor little guy is devastated to be losing his best play buddies.
He wants so badly to go with them to school. He is is such a hurry to grow up, and I just need him to slow down a little so I can savor him being my baby.
