7th Grade

I have some pretty vivid memories of 7th grade. I remember accidentally slamming my "locker" neighbor's hand in my locker. I remember Mr. Gillespie's 7th period Pre-algebra class. I remember my first dance - wow, it was sooooo cool and I couldn't wait until the next one. I remember Home Ec. - making minature versions of all these different recipes. I think I still have some of those recipes filed away. My favorite was the "Hello Dollies" recipe. I remember having a Diet Coke and Munchos for lunch. I remember that NO ONE ever offered me drugs even though in sixth grade I was convinced that "pushers" would probably approach me daily. I remember my first report card and I'm sure my mom does as well. I honestly don't know what happened. Up until that point I had done really well in school. I'm not sure why but my first quarter of 7th grade I brought home a pretty sorry report card - several "C's" and one of those was in Home Ec. How does someone get a "C" in Home Ec? From what I recall I seemed shocked like I had no idea that those grades were coming. I think my mom was scared to death. What had happened to her little girl? I remember she went out and bought me a planner so I could organize myself, my assignments and my homework. Looking back I think it was just a big transition - seven teachers, moving from class to class, no one to really report to like in Elementary School.

I didn't ever think those grades would come back to haunt me, but they have. My mom is a fabulous historian. She is amazing when it comes to keeping a journal and she has saved some really special things, but when I open my scrapbook and have to answer my boys' questions about grades, I really don't know what to say. "Mom, you got a 'C' in Home Ec?! What is Home Ec.?" They don't have Home Ec. in Middle School here. Okay, so I'm been a bit embarassed.

Now Michael and Jacob are in 7th grade at the Colorado Virtual Academy. They are in Pre-Algebra as well. Today was a day when I really wish Mr. Gillespie was around. Sometimes it is really hard to be the "teacher." I slip into parent mode and my patience runs thin. Michael and Jacob slip into child mode and start to say things like, "I can't" and "I don't want to do another problem." They say things that I know they would never say to Mr. Gillespie. This homeschool thing is teaching ALL of us patience.

Tomorrow I will have more patience. I won't get frustrated when they don't understand. I received my degree in Secondary Education, so tomorrow I will pretend that the boys are two students from Wasatch Middle School where I did my student teaching. I had lots of patience for those goofy kids. I promise.