Somedays, the stars align and wonderful things happen. I noticed the half-moon driving to work at dark:30 yesterday. It must have spilled moon dust all over my class, because they were on their best behavior yesterday. It was jus that kind of a day.
Told by admin to hold a “community circle” with my class to discuss respect, I wasn’t really feeling it as we all sat around a large carpet ringed with the alphabet. My 20 littles are growing every day. Their behavior is remarkable and exemplary when it needs to be. I’m able to teach without interruption, while they are feeling secure enough to raise their hands for questions.
Teaching 20 first graders isn’t something that is especially easy. By the 3rd grade, my past students knew the ropes. They had the system down. Those that were trouble caused it. Those that were shining stars beamed. It had all been decided in the prior years. Reputations had been formed. In the 12 years of 3rd grade, I just followed the lead of prior teachers and taught them more.
Now, 1st graders are just pure little beams of individuality that are as unique as the colors in the rainbow. Everything is rainbows in my little class. Any coloring project has at least one. That’s refreshing. No politics. No religion. No arguing over points of view. Just beautiful rainbows everywhere. Add a few unicorns for good measure with a watchful T-rex in the back and you can now understand 1st grade a little better. Yes. Unicorns, rainbows, and the occasional T-Rex.
I didn’t have much hope for this assignment. I was to lead a discussion on respect. One by one, each child gave their opinion on the matter. Handing me a blue or white cloth ribbon that I had just handed them minutes earlier, I would add it as a loop to our class chain. The lesson began without any direction other than that. 45 minutes later, we were in the same position, carrying on a really beautiful discussion about respect and what it looks like. I didn’t want the moment to end. Quite possible one of the most beautiful in my career.
That’s interesting, because I almost didn’t do the activity. Feeling overwhelmed and short on time, the ribbons were almost lost under a growing stack of papers needing correcting. I’m so glad that we had that time to discuss something more important than the 30 lesson on beginning and ending sounds.
It’s not especially wise to fall in love with a class of littles, but unavoidable. Their little jokes make me laugh to loudly. Their smiles and quick hugs nourish my soul. Helping them when they skin a knee or elbow comes naturally. I love each one of them as only their teacher can. June 2nd, a little bit of them will stay in my heart with all my former students, as this class marches away towards 2nd Grade. Even now, that thought makes my eyes swell just a little.
This is the REAL retirement year of My own choosing. Yesterday was the last time I’ll hold that lesson with a group of littles. I’m so thankful it made such a beautiful memory for us all.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There are some tough hombres that give me a run for my money during the day. Corrections are quick and exact. It’s like Oliver and his new girlfriend when they hit a snag. Lots of growling, a few barks, but no blood when the disagreement is done. Yes. That’s 1st grade.
I found out that a 6 year old knows more than most adults about respect. What must they think as they watch adults behaving badly? Perhaps we should ask them for solutions to many grownup problems? They would surely have ways to solve problems in the most kind ways.
After the lesson was over, we walked in a nearly perfect line to the front of the school to place our chain on the school bulletin board. Ours was the first and only. I thought back to just an hour before when this bullheaded teacher sat on the carpet thinking about the phonics lesson that wouldn’t be taught. What an old poop! School isn’t about how many instructional minutes are in a day. It’s about love and respect. Math and reading are important, of course, but there is so much more to 1st grade.
After all, as any 1st grader already knows, life isn’t worth living without love and respect. They told me so yesterday. All 20 littles, sitting around a lettered carpet in a brick school house at a wide spot in the road in our dusty little town off the interstate. Love and respect. Remember that.
More tomorrow.