funny 6th graders

first of all i love teaching middle schoolers! they are so funny:) one of the 6th graders came to my desk today to tell me something that had been on his mind. he asked me had i ever noticed that teachers who had taught for a long time were nicer than new teachers but older men teachers were meaner than young men teachers. he just thought i would like to know that observation. where that came from i have no idea and then he went back to his desk and went back to work, ha-ha.

it is so much fun to see how they develop their own ideas and opinions independent of others at this stage. some of the things they think can be so profound. we just read a story called "greyling" about a selchie that returns to the sea leaving his adopted mother and father. the theme of the story is that parents have to learn to let their children go and follow their own dreams and wishes. we had a lively discussion in class about this concept. they all agreed that for some of their parents this was hard, especially if they were the oldest or the only child. they are starting to feel the call of independence. i told them to cut their parents some slack b/c this was hard for them, too. i love the interaction with these young men and ladies.

anyway, i am learning. i feel like a new teacher and i have some of the same feelings i had when i first started teaching. it is coupled, however, with experience this time so i know the world won't end if i screw something up or forget to send a notice home in 7th period. that's a nice place to be! i guess i will always need to renew and refresh every couple of years but that's a blog for another time ; )