That One Kid No One Plays With

The school year is well underway yet I feel like I haven't taught anything! K-2 teachers at my school spend the first 3 weeks of school on individualized reading assessments. With my large class this year, it took up my entire reading block plus some of my math time for the whole 3 weeks! Not a great way to spend the first weeks of school... but the data is useful in helping me meet students needs.  

I recently read a post on facebook that was being shared and going viral... about a teacher... and it was not BAD! It was very inspiring. This was about one clever and thoughtful teacher! She did something that students love, but used what she found out in a very clever way. On Fridays, she asked her students to make a list of friends that they would like to sit with the next week. However, she did not necessarily allow it, the post was not to clear on that. Why did she do this? She looked for students whose names were absent or infrequent. The post did not say what she did with this information, but it inspired me! 

Teachers of primary students have an amazing power to influence our students. We could use that power to possibly change things for the student whose name is absent from any of the lists. 

I know that I have one student whose name will probably be absent from the list when I do this... and he is absolutely amazing! Why would no one ask to sit with him? Well, he's kinda big... maybe intimidating even. He doesn't wear the cool colors (ya know, the neon yellow). He doesn't wear the latest Under Armor shirts. He didn't even bring his own school supplies. 

Why would anyone want to sit with this kid? That's where my (super)power comes in! He is incredibly helpful... a very desirable quality for a friend! He is tall enough to reach the top of the cubbies... maybe there's something there someone needs. He knows how to do things, like cook macaroni in the microwave... YUM!!! 

See what I did there? I used my (super)power to influence you, and even you love this kid now! In the classroom, I can highlight that student's strengths and get others to see the great qualities that student possesses. I bet next week his name will appear on at least one list! 

Now, what does that do for him in the long run? Hopefully he will not feel left out because of his disadvantages. He will have a more positive outlook on school. The self-esteem boost could do amazing things! Maybe he will make a lifelong friend whose family will look out for his needs discretely. The benefits could be huge! 

All we have to do is seek to find out who the "left out" student is, mention his/her strengths a few times here and there during the week, and maybe say a prayer that the lists change a bit the next week. We are miracle workers after all!

Every little bit of difference that I can make for my students in poverty, to help change the outcome for them, is a miracle that I am thankful to be a part of.