The Middle School Child

Dear parents of middle school or Jr. High kids,

I know how you are feeling if your child has left the cocoon of elementary school.  I remember the anxiety I felt when my three children entered junior high, and I see it every year as a 7th grade teacher.

There are some things I want you to know though.

Yes, passing periods seem loud, crowded, and chaotic, but we are in the halls watching out for your kid.  We are giving encouragement with our smiles and greetings.

Please keep in mind your child may act differently at school because they are surrounded by friends, enemies, and new people they want to know.  Your middle school/jr. high kid is a social being (understatement of the year).  We teachers know this fact and have to work hard to get and keep the attention of 20 to 30 of these darlings at the same time AND teach them too!

We care about your kid.  When they enter our classroom, they become our kids.  Our heart hurts when they are sad.  We laugh at their jokes.  We celebrate their successes.  We encourage them when they aren't being successful.  We listen when they need to talk.

What we need from you is to stay involved. 
- Your kids may be taller than their teacher, but they are not grown up. 
- Don't make excuses for them.  Teach them to own up to mistakes and correct them. 
- Check their grades.  Most schools have an online system.  Show your kids how to check their grades too.
- Instead of asking if they have homework (they do), ask to see what they are working on in their classes.
- They have math homework every night, ask to see it.
- They need to be reading every day for vocabulary and comprehension.  Read the same book as them, read with them, read to them, or ask them to tell you about the book.
- They are taking notes in all of their classes.  They should be rewriting the notes in their own words, or making diagrams or pictures to understand and digest the material.
- They have new vocabulary terms in ALL of their classes - quiz them.
- Make sure they are sleeping at night.  When they fall asleep in class, they are not learning.  They are growing and are busy - they need more sleep.
- Make sure their morning is pleasant.  When they fight with you before school, they can't concentrate at school.
- They are going to make mistakes.  Help them learn from it, own it, and make adjustments.
- Communicate with the teachers and get to know them.  A partnership between you and their teachers is going to benefit your child.
- I know you work long hours, but please attend open house.  When you can see their locker, the hallways, the classrooms, and the teachers, all the stories you hear about school will have context.   Also, this one night shows your kid that you value their education.
- Hug them EVERY day, or better yet, every time you see them.  They may pull away, but keep at it.  Hugs are awesome and good for you and your child's health.

Sincerely,

A teacher

Catch Up

In so many ways, on so many days, we are trying to catch up on the various things we should be doing. 

People use the weekends to catch up on sleep, laundry, housework, and yard work.  When we come back from vacation or an illness, we try to catch up on work.

Who made these timetables for us? Have we done it to ourselves?  Do we see the ideal on tv, pinterest,  and magazines?

We don't stop to relax any longer.  If we lay in the hammock, read a book, or binge watch something on Netflix, there is that twinge of guilt inside. 

Life is too short and much too beautiful (and full of challenges) to add self imposed guilt.  Spend some time thinking, imagining, wondering.

Catch a Wave

I am sorry to disappoint any surfer who thought this was going to be about awesome waves.

This is about the friendly wave which appears to be fading from existence.

We have years of highway construction behind us in my community and many years ahead.  Traveling to work, the library on the other side of the highway, or even the supermarket takes great mental patience.  The lanes change daily, and there are always jumpers.  (Definition of jumper:  someone who believes they are more important than anyone else on the road therefore they should not have to wait in a long line of cars when they can fly down a merging lane and 'jump' in front of another car.) #annoying

When you do let someone in because you are feeling generous, no wave is given as thanks.  What a shame.  I grew up watching my dad wave to the neighbors when he passed by (even the lift  one finger from the steering wheel wave is enough).

These days most of the drivers do not wave, do not thank you, do not give that universal symbol to say "man, this construction sucks, but at least we are all suffering."  #constructionisapain

I have observed and performed various experiments while I have ventured into the construction zone (it is everywhere).  Me and a few drivers give a wave.  The reaction of those receiving the wave are hilarious.  They are unsure what to do with this sudden show of kindness.  Most choose to do nothing.  Some think it is a fist shake and return the finger. #awkward

Eighteen years ago in LA airport I saw a woman I recognized - Linda Hamilton - the real butt kicker in The Terminator (sorry Arnold). She saw me looking at her, and you know what this gracious woman did?  She waved to me.  I was thrilled, and of course, I waved back.  #awesomeday

Catching a wave from someone is a good thing, and we should throw them out there first.  You just may make someone's day a bit better.