Throwback to Argh-uments in Week 2, Simply to Subdue the Maniac Tendencies of Rock-n-Roll (Super Excited) Little Labbers.

It's normal to feel exhaustion by week 2 of literacy labs, and I'm trying to channel 180 days with this age group as I do every year. 3rd graders are very young, and many of them are pampered (if not babied) at home, so getting them on task can take quite a lot of coaching, guiding, repeating, and supporting. The majority of kids are ambitious and hardworking, but there are always some that need a lot of extra hands. My favorite maneuver is the falling out of a chair as if stretching one's back, with legs sprawling forward and long whines, "This is boring." 

I would find it boring, too, if I was in 3rd grade and had no grasp of my letters or how to formulate words. Most of our kids fill an entire notebook in one week, because all they do is write, but we have those (really only 1 or 2 per year) that don't even know how to hold a pen or pencil. It's hard for me to imagine how they will catch up to their peers. 

We also get amazing kids like Chris (pictured here), who pulls himself to the side so he can work on his writing and not be bothered by the one or two wild-n-crazy kids. A majority get the work done, so they can play later. But there are those that just want to play the entire time. A couple can handle both all day.

And it's summer. The priority is to have fun with writing, and that is what we aim for. We couldn't go outside because of the Canadian smoke (so thick and gross), and we have five too many this week (although it truly has been going remarkably well). It's tight and we feel every minute maneuver of every kid.

And kids cry. Not like the older ones who have tougher skin. Monitoring 4th grade friendship battles between girls can be something. Lucky for me, I have elementary experts on board (and parents) who know the territory much better than me. 

One of the more interesting items of the day was a simple soft, squishy toy toss, that should have been a no-brainer. There were several young men, though, who had no idea how to toss a ball underhanded or how to position their hands to catch a ball. It started me to think that many kids don't have siblings at home and with the onset of technology, they might not know how to play anything like we used to as kids. Tossing a ball, though, seemed like an easy lift. Nope. Not for the few. 

A majority of the kids want us out of the way so they can write. The same kids who can't hold a pen also can't toss a ball. They equate with one another. Also should say 5th graders, as pictured here, are more on the game of writing camp. The 3-5 works, but the differences between 3rd and 5th are remarkable. 

Bless any and all who teach K-3. It's something.