A month ago I started telling my students, "We have 35 days left to be ready for 3rd grade. After that I kick you out. Let's not waste one moment."
Two weeks ago I announced that, rather than kicking them out, we'll all be going to 3rd grade together. This news was met with cheers, smiles, and applause. Their reactions nearly brought me to tears.
Parents were given the option of keeping their children in my room or moving them to a new class. It's interesting how many students were allowed to choose for themselves (according to the kids anyway). Only one of my 23 students will be moving on to another room next year. This young man joined us in January. His mother says he just "wants a change." She says there are a few students in our class who accuse him of running in the hall, which causes him to worry about getting into trouble.
Seriously? That's the reason? We've discussed it and I've offered to bring it up in our class meeting, but his decision is firm. When we talked about the new books I've already purchased for our room, when we discussed incentives for doing homework this summer, when we realized that there's no need to send paint shirts home...each time a sad look has flashed across his face. And despite this, his mind is unchanged.
Neither he nor I have explained his reason to the other students. At first they expressed sadness and outrage, feeling rejected I suppose. They quickly accepted the news however, and except for the occasional, innocent reference to his impending absence, nobody seems bothered anymore. Nobody, that is, but the one with the sad face. Whose paint shirt is missing from our crate.
Jane
I have one letter not returned... And he is moving to Avilla next year. I sent a second copy, called and left a message... But no reply yet. I'm really sad about him especially--looping would be huge for him. He has some behavior challenges, and this class has rallied around him and fostered an environment of acceptance which has paved his way toward improvement...vast improvement....and they have shown him friendship, kindness, and innocence. He is used to movement--3 schools in 3 years. Stability would be a change for him:).
ReplyDeleteAnother sad problem is Cayden. He is moving to Illinois... And he has teared up several times when we talk about next year. He even brought back his form saying he will Loop with us:(.
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