Tag Archives: Kids

Cafeteria Tears

Thoughts On Life, , ,

I was a substitute teacher for a different kindergarten class today. I loved it! These kids were great. They were pleasant and responsive when I asked them to do things.

Most importantly, I feel like I made a difference. Some of the kids were looking for acceptance and approval and I was able to give them that.

One little boy needed help down from a piece of playground equipment because he had climbed too high.

And I was there for the poor little boy who was in tears at lunch. A boy put his hand up at lunch and he and another boy waved me over. They were first or second graders. They told me their friend was crying and upset. I asked where he was because I didn’t see any little boy crying. Turns out he was under the cafeteria table.

I asked what was wrong. The boy choked out that he turned around to talk to a boy at the table behind him, and one of the other lunch monitors yelled at him. I told him that it was very loud in the cafeteria and perhaps the lady was frustrated because of this. I suggested that he could talk to the person behind him some other time and talk to the boys at his table right now instead.

The upset little boy still had tears running down his face and trouble speaking because he was crying so hard. He tearfully told me that no one wanted to be his friend or talk to him. By now, the boy sitting beside him had had his arm around him for some time. I told the crying boy that I thought he did have friends that cared about him. Two boys had been concerned enough to call me over to help. And they had been watching with concern and trying to interpret to me what happened. The boys all looked at each other and smiled. Things were looking up as I patted the upset little boy on the back and walked away.

I checked back about ten minutes later. Things seemed to be going pretty well. The boys seemed to be getting along. I had the feeling that all the boys did care about each other. Still, I thought I would share a joke I had learned from another kid at school. What does a duck eat? Quackers! The boys cracked up with laughter.

The boy who had originally been so upset laughed with glee. I had the feeling that I was exactly where I was supposed to be today. Making a difference.

School Days, Again

Thoughts On Life, , ,

It’s back to school for me. Except this time, I’m the teacher!

As one of my new job options that I’m exploring, I am working as a substitute teacher. Today was my first day. I had 7th graders and it went pretty well. I do tend to like kids this age. I started with an assignment that was only a half day. I thought this would break me in slowly and give me time to take care of that pesky, mandatory paperwork that every job requires.

My subject was English and the teacher prepared well for her absence and left instructions for what the kids were to do. The morning passed with me receiving only one eye-roll and only having to say once “please don’t assault your classmate”. (This was just a couple kids good-naturedly snapping each other with their fingers, no real violence.)

Tomorrow I am giving 2nd grade a try. I’m sure this will be quite different so we’ll see how I like it. I think I will enjoy the kids and this is part of my “give them all a try” plan. One nice aspect is the school day is much shorter than what I was used to working as a scientist. I am only there for seven hours and this includes lunch.

After spending a full day in the class room tomorrow, I will let you know if seven hours still seems to be a shorter time!

Look At This  Reading Role Model!

Dogs & Other Animals, ,

Shelby and I participated in the Reading Role Model program through United Way this morning . We went to a local elementary school and read books to kindergarteners. The theory is that if kids don’t read by third grade, they are less likely to graduate from high school . 

I knew that Shelby would do ok but I wasn’t sure how well she would take to it. She did GREAT ! ! !  And she was quite a hit with the kids, as well as the adults . We read a book about Therapy Dogs and another one about various kinds of pets . The kids were very well behaved and had lots of questions .  Shelby rolled over to entice the kids to give her belly rubs while I was reading . The closer kids were happy to oblige.

After we were done reading to our class , we were asked to visit the other three kindergarten classrooms so they could see Shelby too. I told the last class about the Read To A Dog program that many libraries have and the teacher decided they should read the poem they had been working on as a group to Shelby .  I had her sit at the front of the classroom while the kids read to her. By the end, she was sitting there looking at all the kids and giving them a huge smile! It was definitely a proud momma moment for me.

We had a great time and I can’t wait until we can go back and read again next month!