You just have not been well-trained in fast and furious decision-making until you have had second grade lunch and recess duty.
These kids, this pack of wild animals, keep you on your toes constantly. You must be careful not to get sucked into the DRAMA of the playground. You keep your affect calm and you make decisions in a quick, consistent way.
I have worked in schools for about 12 years. I have dealt with lunch/recess duties a lot. I have been a parent now for almost three years, and that has lent a whole new perspective on things for me, even during my lunch duty. I see things, not just as an educator, but also as a parent.
Some of the things I have learned from second grade lunch/recess duty:
It is of no surprise to have at least one boy per year test the “yellow snow” theory in front of others, including girls.
Students who have cash to buy crappy snacks every day are envied by all the other children.
Your abilities in playing tag and running fast can determine your whole social ranking.
Arguing with the duty teacher never works. NEVER.
Never underestimate the power of stupidity in a large group of little people.
There were always be those children who spend their entire recess trained in observation, so that as soon as you turn your back, they do exactly what they are not supposed to do.
Second graders have no interest at recess in developing their social problem solving skills. They simply wish to accuse or deny.
Tattling must feel REALLY good because it is the number one past-time of second graders in an unstructured setting.
“Normal” people of the world, who do not work with children as their job, just do not realize all the skill sets that can be honed through something as simple as lunch duty.
There. Now I have shared some knowledge for you. In case you are a poor sucker like me who has to be prepared for second grade lunch duty every day.
20 comments:
. . .which is why, when I was teaching, I totally would take a bunch of hormone ridden teenagers over second graders.
:)
That brought me back to the years of school when I saw that stuff happening around me. Wow, you have it nailed here.
Very entertaining! And I had forgotten about Grade 2s and tattling :)
Sounds rough. I dont think I would deal well with children in large quantities like that.
I think kids must tattle because they feel like they are doing a good deed.
I am glad kids grow up fast. :-/
Kids are always amazing with how they think!
Oh the tattling . . . So glad to teach 11th grade!
Haha, true, true. I worked at an elementary school and was on yard duty every day during lunch...
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I'm tired just reading that! I don't have the patience to be a teacher obviously.
Ha that's awesome. It reminds me of playground time. I believe your 'how fast you can run/play tag' statement is spot on. Such a cute post.
Tattling - anytime my son and his cousins get together I swear that's all they do!
Love your tag "supervising maniac children"!
As a parent who has just finished choreographing 135 Primary School dancing children in the local school Panto let me just say that I hear ya and agree wholeheartedly.... ALL the way! I do not envy you your job all year round!
xx Jazzy
A decade of nannying has given me a similar set of sub-skills, and second graders?
Scare the stuffing out of me!
My oldest is only 5, so I still have a couple years before I have to deal with these antics, but reading this gave me some insight on what I have to look forward to!
I would love to do a lunch lady job unfortunately NY State has fired so many teachers that regular certified teachers have taken the substitute teaching and lunch lady positions.
No one has to be a super Mom or go by any books. As long as you care for your kid and other's kids you are a super human anyway. You have to be honest and look out for any signs of his discomfort especially emotional. Tell him that he is awesome, he is no less than anyone. When he gets older add one more line " no one is less than him." Be part of "Project Sept" Check my Sept 2010 blog to know the details.
So true.
Just last week I had to redirect a child to the toilets... mind you as it's Simmer here, the yard garden could have done with a bit if a water!
Lunch duty sounds like a job I should avoid at all costs.
Oh, recess duty was always the thing I hated the most about my day.
My mom's best advice for tattling, you get the same punishment the guilty party gets.
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