1st graders are my favorite

I've decided that first grade is the grade I want to teach. I can't pinpoint what I like most about working with this age. You just have to get it. You have to be in my class and see 18 little space cadets in their own little worlds. You have to hear the comments that come from their mouth and the body language. They are just learning about reality and it's hilarious. For example today in my class I had to give a little talk about how I am an adult and that I need to be respected just like I respect them. Here was the stream of dialogue that took place from various kids around the room. Everyone chimed in as they pleased....my comments are in blue...

"You aren't an adult... you don't have a baby"
"...and you're not married"
"so what... guys can't have babies, so that means they can't be adults?"
"my mom says that my dad's not an adult"
"my dad acts like a kid sometimes"
"miss gardner how old are you?"
"22"
"oh... yeah i guess that's an adult age"
"i consider myself an adult... i live without my parents, i'm in college, i have my own bank account, i can drive"
"did you pass your drivers test? oh! i mean your teachers test?"
"yes"
"oh good! so now you are going to teach here?"
"I would love to but it's not all that easy. There is a lot of stuff you have to do before you can just work someone"
"we will tell the principal that you want to work here"
"ooooooooooook we've gone far off track"
"...but you still doesn't have a baby"


They are a hoot. They have no clue and that's what I love about their questions/comments. It's somewhere in those scattered conversations that I get to teach not only the academics, but how to live in community with each other, live life to the full, and to love with their friends. That is why I choose to spend my days with children.

I encourage you to go spend time with a 7 year old. You'll be blessing each other :)

i miss being a kid

maybe it's because i'm 2 months from graduating college and entering the "real world". maybe it's because i'm in a 1st grade classroom 40 hours/week. maybe because i just spent a day at disney world. whatever the reason: i've been craving my childhood. those were some of the best memories ever.

i miss falling asleep on the couch watching tv and somehow (my dad carrying up to my bed) waking up in the morning in my bed. i miss riding bikes, rollerblades, running through all the neighbors yards, flashlight tag, knockout, four square, teatherball, and using my imagination like crazy. i miss christmas parties, book it pizza parties, jump rope for heart, sea world, summer camps, bead art, saved by the bell, summers in south padre island. i miss sitting in my backyard eating popsicles. i miss my swing set and running through sprinklers. i miss my blanket. i miss my blue and white polka dot shorts that i lived in. i miss my dad telling me the same story each night at bed time where prince stewart would save princess jordan. i miss birthday parties. i miss 16918 hidden oak woods. i miss 493-8513 calling 492-8176 about 80 times a week. i miss jellies. i miss night swims at the blanco woods pool. i miss longhorn cafe on friday and saturday nights. i miss playing soccer everyday. i miss my bows that my mom made me where. i miss having a bedtime. i miss riding in the car with my dad listening to oldies. i miss spending every weekend at sonterra country club. i miss one page of homework.

i miss the innocence.

i couldn't be happier with were i am now, but it brings some tears and smiles to look back on those days.