I think I am starting to get a sense of what the norm will be at school. That would always hoping to get through four lessons with each grade but not quite succeeding, especially when I have something a little more exciting like using rulers planned. The 2nd graders were going to make their own number lines today so they needed the rulers to complete those and the 3rd graders were using them to make a place value chart for math. Both grades acted as if they had never been allowed to use the rulers before. They went crazy! It took quite some time to get through math today due to this excitement. I am going to have to work very hard with both classes on how you act when we pull out manipulatives or anything besides a pencil really. I know that these are all new things for them to use and I hope to continue doing hands-on lessons so I know I will have to train them early on how to act so later, lessons will go smoother.
On the topic of training people early, we had a staff meeting this afternoon and Sister Kathy told us how she had this very sad realization with the middle schoolers. She had asked how many of them went to Mass on Sunday and out of the 18 that were Catholic in the room, only 4 had gone to Mass on Sunday. She then assigned them a page to read and asked their parents to sign something saying they had talked about going to church, whatever church they go to. She only received 4 papers back. One of the parents told their they didn't want to talk about it and dropped the subject. This whole story made my heart so sad. My mind started going about why these middle schoolers and their parents don't come to church. I realize that many people do not go to church and this post is not meant to make those people feel guilty but I do not want these middle schoolers to lose their faith so early. As a teacher, young adult, former middle schooler, etc. I just think of where I was at in middle school and where I am today. In 8th grade, my class was a mess. We almost got our promotion taken away, caused lots of problems, and acted like middle schoolers. I don't really think I was super into God but I liked going to Mass. I liked being in a Catholic school, or at least enough to want to go to a Catholic high school. But from how Sister described the talk she had with the middle schoolers, they do not care. They do not care that their parents pay thousands to send them to St. James. They do not see how God is affecting their lives at this moment. I am sure that some of them have experienced far worse in their lives than I have or might ever will. Maybe they don't care about God because of a bad experience or maybe they just don't know God. I think that everyone has a point like that some time in their life. A moment or period of time where they felt far from God or anything positive. I just wonder if these students' parents felt far from God and even though they want them at a Catholic school, they do not want them to really have concern for their relationship with God. What children learn at home is such a strong foundation for when they come to school as well as later in life.
The wheels in my mind started rolling as Sister was talking about what those kids think about during Mass and all sorts of things. To make a long rant short, I am kind of wanting to talk to those middle schoolers and just see where they are coming from if the sisters were to let me. Maybe we could do a lock-in with them or something that is not too overwhelming for them but incorporates their faith as well as fun. It's just been on my mind all day. I don't want this middle schoolers to be crazy God people but I want them to realize that they are only here because someone died for them. If they don't care now, then when will they care? So many questions, I know but I feel like if I don't care, then who will? If not me then who?
Well this post is getting deep and my mind is not quite as sharp as it was when I started it. This might continue tomorrow but it's really tugging at me. If you could think some good thoughts or prayers, whatever it is you do tonight for these middle schoolers and anyone that is lost that they find their way. If that is you, I hope that things become clearer for you. Good night, peaceful thoughts, and sweet dreams.
~Lauren
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