Today I began the day with the "big kids." I tend to lean toward the intimidated side when I am working with 4th or 5th grade because of how comfortable I am in the primary grades, and this morning with 5th grade was no different. Throughout the course of the morning though, I came to see that really, these 5th graders were no different than the 1st and 2nd graders am used to working with. In a refreshing change of pace, I was reminded just how young these "big kids" really are.
When a 10 year old boy shows you the dragons he drew, just because he's excited, not because he's looking for praise (which he obviously got anyway).
When an 11 year old girl gets excited because her purple pen actually writes purple!
When a 10 year old boy skips to the office because the wind is blowing and the birds are chirping, and skipping just makes sense.
When an 11 year old boy tells you all about the lego creations he made last night.
When a 10 year old girl still reads her Junie B. books- "They're kind of below my level, but Junie B. is so funny!"
When they get excited for kindergarten book buddies because they get to look at picture books, instead of "boring" chapter books.
When they giggle as they draw their pajamas for an adjective assignment.
When an 11 year old girl hugs you just for being you.
It's nice that these big kids have been able to maintain such a playfulness and excitement for the little things in life. Because as you and I know, being a big kid isn't always all that great. Sometimes I want to play with legos, read Junie B., draw a picture, and write with purple pen, and it was a delightful change to see these 5th graders not only as top of the heap, kings and queens of the school, but also as children with light in their eyes and love and their hearts and an eagerness to just have fun.
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