In my lesson today about Community, I had my students draw a community they are a part of and explain why that community was important to them. I had a non-compliant student who uninterestedly drew two lines to represent a street and a few rectangles/squares to represent buildings. In trying to encourage him to be more engaged/trying to build a relationship with this student I asked him to explain his drawing to me. He said it was a street that he lives on and I asked him what street was that and he said "I don't know I just moved there, I just know the area and how it looks like but I don't really know it yet." I asked him how many time has he moved, he pondered on that question for a few seconds and replied 5 times.
Unfortunately this student did not have a good day in my class and I had to send him out. Even after he came back from buddy room he was still pretty bad. I made him stay after with me for a few minutes and I asked what was wrong? I told him how he has been a great student in my class and I just didn't understand why his behavior was so off today. He responded by explaining how there were some issues with his Uncle but he didn't want to talk about it. I asked him was there anything he need from me? He looked at me with innocent eyes and with a side smile said, "Sorry?" Just that small moment of genuineness melted all the frustration I felt all period long, a redeeming moment. We talked for a big longer and I letted him go.
That's the paradox in working with students, specifically middle school students they are so obnoxious, rude and just pure annoying but at the same time they are so innocent and lovable all at the same time. E is a student most of the 6th grade team has been having trouble with, academically and behavior wise. Which was a reason why I was hesitant to send him to buddy room, as a first year teacher fellow I have a fear in making my students self-fulfilled prophesies.
My interaction with E made me realize, there were many things that were going on in his life where I don't understand. I also knew he was not the only student in the 6th grade who has moved frequently, we have some students who are living in shelters and we have students who are going through some uncomfortable family arrangements. Which made me think about my own childhood, overall I would consider myself to have had a stable home. I moved once when I was 5 and I been living in the same house since. I have 2 parents who are happily (most of the time) married and loves me unconditionally. Of course my students have parents who cares for them unconditionally as well but I see how the frequent moving has a toll on them at a young age. I can never say I understand their experience, just because I am still new at this and trying to learn from them. But it was just a thought....maybe I'll continue this thought some other day.
