I Didn't See That Coming: My Day as a 2nd-Grader

Well, I certainly didn't see that coming. That was all I could tell myself as I managed to return to my classroom and just sit and rest! I had to take a few minutes to just reflect on what I had just accomplished, and I had accomplished a LOT that day.

This is was what I sat and reflected on. I know what it takes to be a successful third-grader. I know the work that goes into stepping into those third-grade shoes. The Wax Museum, Community Project, Friendship Feast, math facts, cursive writing, in-depth reading skills, and so much more we ask our third-graders to do because I know the work ethic they will need when they cross over the parking lot into Thatcher. I watch our third-graders rise to the occasion every year and do amazing things. I knew the foundation had to be strong... I just didn't realize how strong it is until I spent the day with them!

I was thankful to return and get some rest in third grade! We were in the throes of our Wax Museum so we have been a little busy since I left my new friends in second grade, but they have not been very far away from my thoughts.

Like a lot of things in life, we tend to make assumptions about, but I still couldn't help but wonder if they could handle the workload they would face. I assumed they could; I just never knew for SURE they could. There is something to be said for seeing things first hand. I am the type of learner that likes to have things modeled for me so I know for sure I know what I am doing.

The Jordan Jewels were my teachers that day in February, and they showed me how to be SURE about their readiness level for third grade. The two things I learned, probably even before lunch on my visit, is that they learn an incredible amount and that they, despite some of their own assumptions, will find the transition to third grade easier than they imagine.

The thing about being thrown into the deep end of the pool is that you've got to figure things out real quick. I will tell you I felt as if I had been thrown into the deep end by about 8:02 a.m.! The other thing about deep ends is that it is always helpful when you have a life preserver just in case. My newest, bestest life preserver and friend, Brooke Temple, kept me afloat all day long, and I was most appreciative of that.

We were sent headlong into subtracting double-digit numbers. Yep, math was first thing! We were attacking subtracting across zero, borrowing from the next door neighbor, and when we discovered that the number on top was more than the bottom number, we had no need to stop -- we just subtracted!

And when I thought Brooke might let me take some time to process all of this, he gently reminded me our math centers were just beginning. Our next center would require us to utilize our knowledge of "doubles" (9+9; 8+8; and so on) give or take + or - 1, and on the rare occasion make a ten when we could!

We were just getting started because then we had spinners and paper clips and empty boxes awaiting us at our next station. We had to use the spinners to determine the numbers we were going to subtract. It's a good thing I had Brooke there because he was teaching me the ins and outs of this process. Versa Tiles are also cool math helpers because getting the math facts correct help you figure out the picture you need to make!

Well, just when it was time to catch our breath, we were off to Spanish. I discovered the ability to identify the seasons of the year and climate styles for each one. As Spanish ended, Brooke told me we got to go outside for snack and recess. The energy -- Heaven help me! I was sitting in the swing coming to grips with the fact I had just gotten started -- and they didn't appear to need a breather from our morning so far -- they were still going strong!

Did I mention that we were just getting started?! Reading time was upon us! I loved the reading centers that Brooke took me to. He was still my life preserver. We got to partner read, go deeper, and make connections to ourselves, other books we had read, and even to the world while Mrs. Jordan lead us through our passage. We also had the chance to stop and jot our thoughts as we were going through our centers. We were able to visit with Mrs. Hutchins and review our consonant controlled r-sounds, vowel patterns and how two vowels side by side often make different sounds. Brooke and I then headed back to our desks to begin some long vowel work using dice and a tic-tac-toe board. As you might imagine, he found more long vowel sounds than I did.

Oh, did I mention this was all before LUNCH?!?! I am an old guy, and I am used to eating at specific times of the day. Getting off my schedule can often cause crankiness to set in. HA! In third grade, we are eating by 11 a.m. and at recess by 11:30. My new friends in second grade head off to renew and to nourish at 12:30 p.m. Needless to say, I was off my schedule but these guys just took it in stride.

Lunch was great -- I think! Quite honestly, I believe I was into a second helping before I spoke to my tablemates. I sat there thinking that the afternoon had to slow down a bit! Again, another assumption blown up. When we returned to class, I asked Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Peer if it was nap time and where my mat would be. I don't think I have gotten over the look they gave me yet, but my new friends were quite tickled by this. Brooke just took me by the hand and told me it was time for social studies.

I have to admit, I was pretty excited by this. We put our good listener hats on as Mrs. Jordan read the story about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life to us. We then put that knowledge into practice as we developed a table tent of events about his life. We even had the chance to work on using commas in dates and capitalizations of dates. Mrs. Jordan seems sneaky that way sharing extra cool grammar stuff in the middle of social studies!

We ended our social studies lesson, and our day, with a bit of artwork involving Dr. King. We learned how to draw a human face and how to put all the pieces of the face on the paper. We were then asked to share with Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Peer things we remembered about Dr. King from our lesson. And wouldn't you know it, Mrs. Jordan continued her sneaky ways because she asked us to use awesome adjectives to describe Dr. King. We then wrote these on our artwork.

Well, I am convinced that if Toto had been there that day I would have said those immortal words, "We are not in Kansas anymore." Actually, I think I would have said, "Toto, this is not the second grade I grew up in." 

I would have found myself smiling if I had really said this to myself or anyone else for that matter! Smiling from the fact that NOW I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that when my new friends in second grade become my new-third graders they are going to be just fine and well prepared! I also know that future generations of Jordan Jewels are in for a solid second grade experience that will prepare them for life in Thatcher.

I really did not see it coming, that day in second grade. Many thanks to Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Peer for helping me "see" the ways of second grade!