Today was the first day back at school after a great Spring Break with my family. As I was preparing for my return last night, I felt a very deep sadness come over me. This sadness did not stem from the fact that our break was over and I was headed back to work. Instead, it came with the realization that there are only 2 months left of the school year. Two very busy months –that will fly by! I felt sad knowing my time with these 23 amazing kids will soon come to an end. What can I say? I love them. They are individuals with their own unique gifts, quirks, and personalities. Together, they make an awesome class. Each of them has taken a piece of my heart. It is hard to imagine not spending my days with them.
Along with the sadness, came a sense of panic. I was asking myself, “How much of what I want and have planned to teach them, has been completed? What needs to happen in this next two months? Will they have time to learn all that I want them to know?”
As a teacher, there is a vast amount of material that you are required to teach your students. Because of the limited time and days, you have to prioritize. I have a mental list of what I feel is most important. Math, for example, is critical. At this level, they are still learning basic skills that they will be able to incorporate into their everyday lives as they grow. It is also part of laying the foundation for higher level math that they will be presented with in the coming years. Grammar, while my least favorite subject to teach, is integral to their success in communicating with and understanding written material. In 4th grade, we are immersed in California history throughout the entire school year. Many people fail to see the significance of this particular subject area. I, however, think it is SO valuable to my 4th graders. So much transferable knowledge can be gained as we examine where we have come from as a state (and country) and how we have arrived at the current place we are in. They get to grapple with moral and ethical issues, while developing their critical thinking skills. They are able to see that life is complex and that there are at least two sides to every story.
I could go on and on about the curriculum and its importance, but interestingly enough this was not the area that came to mind in my panic-stricken state. The things I most want them to know and take with them aren’t found in the textbooks and annual lesson plans. They are contained within our discussions and our experiences together. They are heart lessons that I believe are vital for every student to take hold of, whether home-schooled, “private-schooled” or “public-schooled”. I want EVERY child to grab a hold of these things and carry them forward into their lives. More than how to divide, identify a verb phrase, or recite the date the Gold Rush started, these are some of the lessons I want my students to take with them from 4th grade.
- YOU matter. You are important and special in this world and always will be.
- You were wonderfully made to do great things. God didn’t create you to be someone else. He wants you to be the best YOU that you can be.
- You are loved beyond measure.
- Everyone makes mistakes. What is important is that you learn from them.
- You always have a choice. And…with choices come related consequences.
- You should always look for the good in others and treat them with kindness.
- Words are powerful. Being able to communicate with others is a gift, use it for good.
- Doing the right thing is rarely the easy thing. There may be times you have to stand alone to stay true to what you know in your heart is right.
- You should always forgive others. When you forgive someone, you aren’t releasing them from responsibility. You are setting yourself free. Holding on to anger hurts you more than it hurts others.
- You are never too young to make a difference in this world.
- Everyone is unique, each with different talents, skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Never discount someone as insignificant or inferior.
- You will come across things in school that are difficult. Don’t give up! It is during these times when you truly learn.
- There will be times when you fail. It’s okay. You aren’t called to be perfect. That’s Jesus’ job:).
- God never leaves. He is always with you. There is never a day that goes by when you are alone.
It is my hope that, as the year comes to a close, these seeds have been planted in the hearts of my students. As 4th graders, they are already such amazing people with tremendous potential. Knowing that we will part ways in less than two months pains me, but I am so excited to see them grow into who they have been created to be.
(Post actually written on 4/5)
