Today was a hard day. It was one of those days where you've been at work for six hours, but then you look at the clock and it's only been fifteen minutes. Our schedule got switched around, so the kiddos (and teachers) were all thrown off. I got cussed out by a thirteen year old, and a student in my last class broke my cabinets and one of my drawers and threw the pieces on my floor.
But it didn't break me.
Instead, I'm making a list of the things I like best about my middle schoolers!
1. They're at the awkward age where you get a little bit of everything
My students are stuck in that bizarre limbo where you're not technically a 'little kid' any more, but you're nowhere near adulthood. What does this mean? It means that in the same day, I might talk to one class about their aspirations for high school and college, and in the next class we might have a Moana singalong (You're welcome!). It means that they might have a 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend', but they're still at the age where they'll bring Valentine's day candy to their teacher. But on that same note, they might take said candy back to give it to the boy or girl that they like! (YES, THIS HAPPENED TO ME! HE TOOK MY CANDY BACK!) They're not babies any more, but they're not big kids either. They're my kids.
2. They're honest- goodness, are they ever honest- so you always know where you stand!
There's no beating around the bush here. If they're happy with you, you'll know. If they're mad at you, you'll know. If they HATE your new hairdo, you'll know- and don't-you-dare-ever-change-your-hairstyle-because-you-will-answer-questions-about-it-all-day!!!
3. You still get glimpses of that childlike impulsivity- but sometimes in the most hilarious ways!
I catch students pulling off ridiculous dance moves at least five times a day. Sometimes I marvel at how graceful one of my little adolescents is, other times I marvel at how much they look like one of those 'wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube' men!
4. They still like stickers
This is legitimately a saving grace some days. If my kids see me coming around with my roll of stickers, most of them will get right to work so they can have a sticker to put on their forehead. If I dare to put the sticker on their paper, they'll frantically pull it off so it can be strategically placed on their forehead for the world to marvel at!
5. It's like a box of chocolates- you REALLY never know what you're going to get!
Sometimes this is a good thing- your toughest class will come in and whisper to you that they're playing a 'silent game'. You'll have a great, quiet class where everyone does their work- yay!
Then the next day, the silent game is over and you turn around and see a student walking on your desks. Always keeping us on our toes!
This year has been challenging, but in the best way. I have learned more from my 94 students than I could teach them in ten years of seventh grade! Days like today remind me to reflect on why I'm doing this, and why these kids are the best thing that has ever happened to me- even on the craziest days!
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