Monday, September 26, 2011

150 5th Graders in 2+ hrs

I just stood in the animal barn for 2hrs or so while 150 5th graders flooded in and out so fast it made Hamlet's little pink head spin. It was fun no doubt and I am sure that it is important for kids who don't get spend time around animals. An amazing # of them told me that they had never touched a chicken or a farm animal before. Some of them refused to touch them because they were just not "animal people" and animals are gross. I also had one girl ask, " Are those real eggs or chicken eggs?" That one left me reeling for a second.

The things I heard showed me real and evident value in what is going on at ML. Still I feel like I am chomping at the bit sometimes to feel like I am doing real work. I don't know what it is about the teaching at ML that is failing to satiate me. Maybe it is that I don't get a chance to really engage with the kids because they are just zooming by me every 15 min. Somehow I still have this incredible urge to do more. I don't know what that would look or feel like, but I want it none the less.
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3 comments:

  1. AaronSeptember 26, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    I hope that the feeling of not really getting to the kids fades with other groups.

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 26, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    I understand your frustration Carli and I think it is actually a good sign. I think it shows a desire to reach the kids on a deeper level and make more of an impact on them. We are creating memories at ML. I think Laurina made that comment on an earlier post. Hopefully, what we did today will stick with them over time. One of the Mom's commented that she has several kids and they have all gone through the ML 5th grade program and she felt sad that her youngest was in 5th grade this year and would be the last to go through the program. So remember that even though it is small amounts of time we are getting through to people and making a difference in their lives.

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  3. puravidaSeptember 26, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    I think this is the universe telling you that you are meant to be a teacher. I know you do not want be "stuck inside all day," but if you look for it I am sure you will find a teaching position that meets your needs, engagement wise and location.

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