Multi-age Mayhem

Our little school is a bit of a disaster right now (which is to be expected at the end of a normal day). The kiddos take beautiful care of our space, but it is just...lived in. It is that great messiness when I know they are working. And loving their work. We are one month into our school year, and the classroom has been consistently messy the entire time. Praise God. Best mess ever.

This tiny family (actually...not so tiny after all) is meshing beautifully and I have been in awe of the way God has brought a group of unique little minds and hearts together so perfectly. That sounds mushier than mushy (sappy teacher apologies) but it is completely true. I officially have 8 students (we have a new addition who just joined us! We love her already!) who range in age from 7 to 15. This could be a nightmare. And I imagine it will be at times. But so far it has worked. They are learning how to love each other, and how to appreciate one another for the gifts and talents that each brings. And, more importantly, they see each other's faults. And they learn to love in and through those.

Just today I talked with my 5th grade buddy (who is one of the most gifted children I have ever worked with) about our newly instated book club. I have three dudes in 4th and 5th grade, and we are reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. They are super pumped. It is a total dude book. But I have realized pretty quickly that Mr. 5th grade will read 8 chapters before one of my 4th grade buddies finishes chapter 2. This certainly makes any kind of group work difficult. Mr. 5th grade approached me today about creating a schedule so that everyone can be at the same place and no one will feel left out. "I just really don't think we should have book chats unless he is ready. I want him to be a part of it," he shared with me.  So Mr. 5th grade is simultaneously reading two novels so that he can maintain the pace of his classmates. So kind. So considerate. Holy smokes.

Another (not so serious) multi-age "holy smokes" moment came when I realized the range of developmental needs--just physically--that is taking place in our little school. One day I had a conversation with my sweet English learning lady about her..ah hem...stomach ache (you know ladies...that one that coincidentally comes once a month and makes learning/teaching/anything really uncomfortable?). It wasn't five minutes after encouraging her to talk to mom about the possibility of taking some pain meds before school that my littlest lady ran into the kitchen with a miserably loose back molar. "Please Miss Rachel...I seriously need you to help me pull it out."

 I stood back and laughed at the reality of it all. Our school days are punctuated by things like loose teeth and menstrual cramps. Or conversations about Power Rangers. And Justin Bieber. In what other school would I get to teach a 7 year-old and a teenager at the same time? I don't know how it works as well as it has so far. But we are loving it. And God is good!