Chapter 1 is entitled "Everything Is Off Balance" and gives you a snapshot into the lives of the adolescent child. As you read the chapter, reflect on how you will interact with students who are experiencing the things described in this chapter. Many high school graduates have remarked on how they connected with a teacher in school, often at the middle school level, who had a big impact on their education and life in general. Be one of these teachers - no matter the age of the child/student.
After you read the chapter, in your blog post here, pretend you are a 13 year old student. Give yourself a name. Tell us about your struggles, fears, anxieties, etc. using the information in the book. Be sure to address the following:
- Who are my friends?
- What are these feelings that are happening in my body?
- What do others think about me?
- What group do I belong to?
- How will I fit in?
- Who will teach me, and how?
My name is Delilah D. Durgenburger and I am thirteen years old.
ReplyDeleteWho are my friends? I used to be friends with Callie C. Coockenbach in Elementary School but we don’t talk anymore. Sometimes Callie would steal one of her mother’s cigarettes and she will try to have us take a drag of it behind the bleachers after school. Now she hangs out with another group of girls. My new friends are pretty cool. We get to hang out at the mall sometimes.
What are these feelings that are happening in my body? I used to talk to Bobby B. Billinger but now he plays it cool and hangs out with the other track runners. I think he got cute over the summer. One of my friends is starting to wear some eyeliner but my parents say that I can’t until I turn 16. I did start buying clothes in the misses section of the store now though.
What do others think about me? I am a pretty good student. I go to class and turn my work in on time. Except when me and my friends leave class, that’s when we have real fun in the hallways! Our lockers are decorated and I even have a poster of Justin Beiber and David Archuleta!
What group do I belong to? The girls that I hang out with are probably called the “plain” girls. Our parents aren’t rich but we aren’t poor either. Some of us go to the same church group too. I am tired of going to church and can’t wait to stay home on Sundays. We sit together at lunch and can’t wait until we are High Schoolers.
How will I fit in? I am not excited about school activities. It seems like some of the older kids groups are each in certain things. I wonder how me and my group of friends will fit in.
Who will teach me, and how? Changing classes is pretty cool. It feels awkward and like the older kids got the hang of it. They seem so cool. The teachers are really different too. But at least I get to pick some of my classes now. My favorite teacher is Mr. Rogers. He is so nice.
My name is Catrina Smith. I am in 7th grade at Jefferson High. I usually like school but its been hard making it to school on time because I have to get my brothers ready and myself. My mom has been working nights at the Casino and doesnt get back until early in the morning. I hate having after school detention when I am late, but at least I get to do my homework without the kids being loud. As soon as I get home I have to cook supper. Sometimes Jan comes over and helps me. She has been my best friend since I moved here in 4th grade. I knew her before I moved here because her mom and my mom are friends. Her and I usually eat lunch every day together, sometimes with Sharon,Faye,and Charity. We pretty much get along with everyone and talk to everyone but this is my main group of friends that I hang out with. We even have a secret handshake that we do. Last week Faye and Jan wrote a fake note to Ann and said it was from Tom and put it in her locker. It was so funny!! She thinks Tom likes her.
ReplyDeleteThis year I joined basketball and our first game was away in Wallaby. I love playing basketball but I hate the uniforms! The shorts are way too short. Everyone always teases us because of that. I never told anyone this but I forgot my basketball shoes and shorts on purpose so I didnt have to play. Plus I knew Jim would be there because he goes to school at Wallaby Junior High. Me and my friend think he's hot.
Our next game is at home. I hope I am eligible to play. I need to get all my Math homework in still. Mrs. Harley is giving me an extra day to turn everything in. I like her because she helps me alot and she lets my brothers wait in the classroom with me after school while shes helping me. And my mom is going to see if she can get off work to come to my game! I hope she can make it. I just wish we'd get new shorts!
Hi my name is Seneca Serrano. I am thirteen years old in the seventh grade at Lexington Middle School.I try to be friends with everyone from every group. I try to fit in as much as possible. This is complicated situation for me. One group of friends who are Andy, Scarlett, LeNika, Ashley, Laci, Ashley, and Vicki. This is the group I stand outside with before the school bell rings in the morning. In elementary school my parents moved a lot so I went to a few elementary schools. By the time I got to Middle School I knew a lot of people. Another group of friends I hang out with is Ryan, Liz, Kara, Tara, Steph, Justin and Lindsey. I just named a few people in each group there is actually a lot more. I have fun with each group but I have to keep them separate. Each group is about different things. The first group I named off is more of the popular kids. The second group is popular but they are more of the rebel group. The kids that like to smoke and try new things. I also play basketball and other sports so that is another group of people I hang out with. I have fun with both of these groups! They’re exciting, fun, new; we hang out, go chase boys, talk on the phone, go to the movies, and pass notes in class. This all seems great doesn’t it? Why do I feel so bad sometimes? Since I have been in the second grade I have had a best friend name Katie. We have done EVERYTHING together! She knows everything about me and we hangout all the time after school. Yes, that’s the only time we hangout now. I want to fit in and unfortunately Katie isn’t considered cool or even popular at school. She is kind of a tomboy. She comes to school wearing t-shirts and hats with her pulled back. Don’t get me wrong when I see her in school I talk to her. I just don’t hang out with her. I’m not sure if she notices or not but I hope she doesn’t because I don’t want to hurt her feelings. I don’t know why but I just want everyone to like me and have lots of friends.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I have the biggest crush on Scott! I have liked him since the second grade. I wish I could be his girlfriend. I have an idea of his class schedule. After my English class I hurry down the stairs because he is usually walking to his locker at that time. Did I mention his locker is by mine! Then I try to chat with him a little and give him compliments. I see everyone is always going out with someone in my school. It’s always the latest to see who is going out. Too bad my mom said I can’t date till I’m a sophomore when I turn sixteen. I think it is so unfair!
I love being in Middle School, instead of being stuck in one classroom all day. I have a pretty good schedule this year. I like mostly all my teachers. I would have to say I have never really been big into science, but my science teacher Mr. Brucker is awesome. He makes class so much fun and interesting. I have this Tech Ed. Class. There are only three girls in this class. At first I thought it was awkward but I realized that the boys thought it was cool that some girls were in class. I have learned to use this crazy machine. What the machine somehow put my name into this plastic square. Hmm maybe I’ll go into technology when I get older.
Hello, my name is Lilliana Bryant. I go to this really strict school. My parents send me to this all girl’s school because they say I need to prepare for college. I hate it here at Presidential View Academy. I wish can go to a normal school so bad. Here at school I don’t have many friends because everyone acts so stuck up. Everyone here is rich and proper. Most of the people at school act “fake” to me. I just want to laugh and talk, and have fun and they want to study.
ReplyDeleteI want to run away becuase my parents don’t understand me. They won’t let me just be a kid. Last month after tutoring and music lessons I ran away but they tracked me down through my cell phone. I was hiding at my friend Ali’s parent’s guest house. Ali got in trouble too because her parents found out I was hiding there.
When I can I try to go to the mall to hang out. Last time I was there I bought some clothes from my favorite store “Forever 21”. I changed into them as soon as I bought them because I didn’t want any boys to see me in my stupid school uniform. I usually change as soon as I get to the mall just because my parents don’t let me dress the way I want to. I always change back before they pick me up though.
Last time I was at the mall with my friend Ali I met the hottest boy. He’s 15 and a freshman. He asked me out and I said yes. I don’t ever get to see him though. He goes to a regular school. We only get to talk on the phone late at night and text each other all day. He said he wants to give me a kiss but I don’t want anyone to see us kiss. I don’t want the other kids from school to tell my teachers because then they will call my parents and I will get in trouble. I told him I was 14 so he won’t break up with me. I also didn’t tell him I go to an all girl's school I don’t want him to think I’m weird.
I told only one person at school about my boyfriend. I told my health teacher Miss Allen. She’s really cool. She promised not to tell anyone. I always tell her my problems. She always knows what to say. I look forward to her class. I try to take more of her classes but I only get to see her like once or twice a day. Hopefully next year I can get in her pod.
@ Nevada - What an interesting character! Many of her thoughts would certainly resonate with other young teens. I knew of girls that would wear clothes to school that their parents would approve of and then change into other outfits after arriving at school. Another big thing was putting make-up on at school too. (But not I...lol) In ninth grade I would walk to my cousins to pick her up on the way and she would loan me a shirt to borrow. She also helped me fix my hair. Scary! I wonder if our parents knew that these things would happen and not let on or were they oblivious to the fact. Hmmm...
ReplyDelete@ Shyanne- Seneca Serrano! The name caught my eye right away. The struggle of balancing friends is one of the big challenges because at that age, being 'in' and wanting to be liked is so important. As I mentioned in a previous blog I used to stick up for this girl that always got picked on, but I never really befriended her, probably because she wasn't really in my group of friends. Now, I think of the experiences I missed out on because of this image I wanted to project. Im so glad college isn't like this! Who am I kidding? It is still kind of like that sometimes. (haha) Also, what kind of technological machine were you talking about?
ReplyDelete