Parenting Your Students

I teach 4th grade because I enjoy the developmental stage of the students, and because I enjoy the curriculum. We get to do lots of interesting things, but I don't have to be too picky or formal when it comes to grading or testing.

Today, like many days, I was unable to do much "teaching"... in the traditional sense, that is. I did a whole lot of parenting, though, or as a good friend of mine likes to call it: guiding.

I taught 3 of my students that failing to turn in homework for 3 days in a row (short, easy assignments, mind you) earns you a "working recess" in the Main Office. I taught one student that just as he was suspended once before for putting his hands on another student (in an eerily too-friendly way), he would earn yet another one if I should see him do it again. I taught a young lady that she should not write notes about who she has a crush on in my class for the following reasons: 1) She is 9; and 2) That information is best kept to oneself. I reminded students to say "please" and "thank you" to our cafeteria personnel, and I required them to apologize when standing in an adult's way during dismissal.

I did a whole lot of "teaching" today, but little of it involved books, pencils, or paper.

MWM Turns 30