Day 70 - My 10th Grade Class

My Tenth Grade Class

The other day, the boys’ P.E. teacher, Craig, who is almost young enough to be my grandson, stopped me in passing.

He said, “I heard something about you from the students yesterday.”

“Oh?  What was that?”

“They said you are tough.”

“I guess that is good.”

“But they like you too.”

So when I was in class, I mentioned to the 10^th graders, that I heard they think I am tough.  They all said yes you are tough, like Mr. Zimmerman.  But you are fair and nice, several others chimed in.

The first few days they entered my class loud and boisterous.  I allowed a little the first few days, but this week I wanted them to come into my class my way and not theirs.  So this week I have been tough on them, making them come in to work.  You would think that would irritate them, but instead they respond very well.  I have watched them talk about the book we are reading, Fahrenheit 451, with understanding, or asking questions that showed they were paying attention.

I guess you could say this is a tough class, but they are sweethearts.  As I’m getting to know them, I realize I might get the most back from these kids.  They are what I came here for.

Another reason I love this class is that I have two grandstudents in this class.  That is a word I invented and you teachers are free to use it any time.  A grandstudent is the child of a former student who is now my student.  I have three this year and two who are in this class.  One boy, whose mom I taught, seems a little afraid of me.  Maybe he thinks I will call his mom if he does wrong.  The other boy is very quiet.  I taught his mom and his dad (and his uncle and aunt).  To me, grandstudents are family.