A little behind...but who can forget those 7th graders?

I wanted to reflect a bit on this past week, and it started with the 7th graders! What a group! I had a wonderful time hiking, learning about sustainability together, and sharing some funky conversation. However, I was reaffirmed in my decision to teach elementary level. I have a lot of respect for people who can relate to this age group, as they are filled with hormones, worried about their appearance at all times (even when prancing through mud), keeping up with the latest drama, and not at all worried about what they are learning.

While we were walking, I tried to think back to my middle school days, and wondered if I was in the same awkward place that they were. And I think I was. I had braces, was definitely focused more on my relationships than my grades, and could hardly focus some days on what my teachers were saying. However, these kids were excited to be outside, and felt accomplished when they could contribute to the academic conversation. They had a good time searching around Reith Village, and were mostly open and interested in the technologies that they got to experience and see.

The end of the day was filled with fun playing Macro Invertebrate Mayhem, and who could go wrong with that game? We also got to peel a tree! And I got a Morel mushroom to top everything off! What a beautiful fungus!