How much baggage are my students carrying with them to school every day? What are things going on outside of school of which I'm not aware? What are the thoughts really occupying these children's minds as they move through the day?
Well, I know a few things...
If I was a fourth grader, I sure wouldn't be able to concentrate on my school work if someone was calling me names or was taking my books from my desk.
If I was a fourth grader, I couldn't think about doing math when we should have been able to go to the computer lab to type our poetry projects.
If I was a fourth grader, it would be nearly impossible to focus on the book I was reading when all I really want to know is who was elected to student council from our class.
And in knowing these things, maybe it's okay after all to reserve some time for silliness. Maybe I need to be a little more patient for students to return to the task at hand. Maybe I need to be a little more forgiving of students who can't manage to keep still at their desks.
So, maybe it's time I remembered what it's like to be in fourth grade. Just maybe it's time to walk in their shoes...
i have found that deep breaths, thinking about what their needs are at that moment, and refocusing have helped a little bit... especially the deep breath part. ;)
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