In observing a first grade classroom I have seen kids who were obviously at different levels in their reading, writing or picture drawing skills. However, unless we’re talking about a severe learning disability, the kids in this first grade classroom were all relatively on the same level. On the other hand, observing a 7th grade social studies classroom at Hamilton middle school has given me a rude awakening. There are kids in this classroom that cannot read a picture book let alone a 7th grade level reading book. Unfortunately, the assignment is always for the whole class to read this 7th grade level book and then to write a book review on it. I have watched kids bring long division math homework problems in to the classroom and yet when I ask them to add two double digit numbers together they are at a complete loss. Because of these things, kids are failing, being perceived as ‘lazy’ or as ‘having a bad attitude’ and then essentially are given up on... once again. This has been such a disheartening experience for me and makes me wonder what happens to these kids throughout school. Who was the first teacher to let them slip through the cracks? Was it a domino effect from there? And most importantly, how do we, as educators let this happen?
Although there is no part of me that could ever see myself teaching middle school I must admit that it was the best experience I could have ever experienced. I can only hope that I will always remember how bad my heart hurts every time I come home from school and realize that there are kids out there who are simply receiving zero help because everyone around them has given up on them. My goal as a teacher is to never let a kid slip through the cracks.
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