Loving THAT kid.

My afternoon class, that I think I have mentioned before...if not, just go with it.

Well, they know how to try and get the best of me (to say the least). I try to not let that happen. Try is the key word.

Four of the students in that class were moved to my morning class. BECAUSE, if you've never seen a group of 26 middle schoolers...in the afternoon...in one class for 2 and 1/2 hours...you wouldn't get it (BUT just try and imagine). Not to mention, it's a class of 3/4 boys.

Anyways...this class is smaller now. Smaller, yes. BUT, not easier.

After a week of snow days, I knew this week would be a little challenging (not too mention the amount of catching up we had/have ahead.)

Things started out ok, but we've had some major challenges. One of my students blew up at another student and "peaced out" of my room...after saying a few choice words. Apparently, something had happened in a previous class.

The next day, my student with aspergers/bi-polar disorder/ADHD went on a screaming rant as he came into my classroom. He left before it started. He yelled at me, threw things in the class, and took off down the hall before the bell rang. He slammed doors in the bathroom and began to pace the hallway (But, he's a whole other story). He left early. He wasn't at school today. It worries me.

After the adventures of Tuesday and Wednesday (and the whole year) I had a realization:

I have to love them individually.

As a class, that is almost impossible. Let's be honest, some will be harder than others. But, I will. AND, I do.

I have to love my child who never turns in his work, the one who smells sour because his clothes are dirty, the one who bullies (he really needs to be shown love), the one who is on a second grade reading level in the 7th grade, the one who never shuts-up, and the one who cries at the drop of a hat. These are a few of the hard ones. There are easy ones. But, I like a challenge.

I've started to make sure I tell them before they leave my room that I love them. You should have seen their faces the first time! A student with some of the biggest walls around him, smiled, and told me bye that day. That doesn't seem like a lot, I know. BUT...you have no idea. He NEVER wants to speak. He BARELY has spoken to me all year.

Don't get me wrong, I have the eye-rollers and the ones who pretend they didn't hear it. They heard it. They have to be quiet and hear it before they can leave my class everyday.

I'm saying it.

I mean it.

And they're just going to have to accept it.

We're learning to WORK HARD. We're learning to BE NICE. (we have a long way to go, but baby steps are still steps.)