He's been with me for a week and two days and I'm realizing how hard it is to join a classroom community three quarters of the way through the school year. It's not this hard for kindergarten students, they roll with life better. I'm learning it's harder for second graders. I'm realizing even though he moved from around the corner life is different. I think if we asked him he would be honest and say very different. The social climate is different because he's starting over making friends. The academic climate is different and he has shared it is harder. The daily schedule is different. The guidelines/rules are different.
We've had assessments as a class and he has tried his best. Bless him. I've given him some assessments one on one to know him as a learner all while trying to let him adjust. That can be hard to do sometimes. I'm realizing while we are in full swing of second grade, he isn't. He needs time to observe people and his environment. He needs time to learn new routines. He needs time to learn things we do that his old class didn't do. He needs time to make friends. He needs time to try without judgement.
If I can slow down, then maybe he won't be sprinting to the bus each night to go home.
Thank you Two Writing Teachers for fostering and organizing this writing challenge.
Thank you Two Writing Teachers for fostering and organizing this writing challenge.
As a Deaf Ed teacher I didn't get many new students mid year. But I did once. And boy was it a struggle. For both of us. My other students had known me for years. They KNEW me knew me. He did not. I knew my students. I did not know him. He had as many questions about me as I did about. He drove me nuts! I'm sure the feeling was mutual. But now I see him once a year or so & he always wants to hug me.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard for them. I have had four new students throughout this school year which is a lot for our small school. It is hard. On everyone.
ReplyDeleteI have a new fifth grader as of yesterday. He smiles a lot, but looks kind of freaked out at the same time. Hard time of year for change, that's for sure!
ReplyDeletePoor little guy, so many adjustments to have to make. He doesn't know how lucky he is to have landed in your class.
ReplyDeleteOh the sprinting to the bus part really got me!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who did move, it is definitely difficult. I moved over the summer, and started the school year as a sophomore. Unfamiliar hallways, lost all the time, no one to sit with at lunch. Definitely difficult. He will figure it out. You care and you see him sprinting to the bus.
ReplyDeleteI have such a clear image of him sprinting to the bus, eager to head home at the end of the day. You make it so clearly visible what it may be like to be that new student. So many things to learn. It can be difficult, thankfully you care.
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