I made a student cry today. It wasn't intentional, and I certainly didn't expect it.
M is a kid who is always horsing around and carrying on. But I think his problem is that he is so intelligent that he gets easily bored and causes an uproar because he wants something interesting to do. He does it cleverly, just coming up an inch short before he gets a referral to the office. But if you sit in one of his classes and watch, you discover that most of the time he isn't paying attention.
I have had interactions with this kid for the last 5 or 6 months, so I feel I have gotten to know him well.
We were talking about climate change. We are having a 5th and 7th grade EXPO this coming Wednesday, and he is supposed to be able to stand up and explain to parents (including his own, I hope) what climate change is and what causes it.
We went over just what climate change is and what some of the causes are, and what some of the results will be. He asked a number of very intelligent questions and understood immediately what I was telling him. Based not just on that, but other conversations we have had, I said to him, "You know, you are not just an intelligent kid. You are a VERY intelligent kid. I think your problem is that you are so intelligent that these classes bore you. You have to realize that with your intelligence, there is nothing you won't be able to do or achieve later in life, if you study hard and get good grades."
As I was talking to him, I noticed tears welling up in his eyes. I have a feeling no one ever told him before that he is intelligent and can achieve things. Maybe a few years down the line he will still remember our conversation.
M is a kid who is always horsing around and carrying on. But I think his problem is that he is so intelligent that he gets easily bored and causes an uproar because he wants something interesting to do. He does it cleverly, just coming up an inch short before he gets a referral to the office. But if you sit in one of his classes and watch, you discover that most of the time he isn't paying attention.
I have had interactions with this kid for the last 5 or 6 months, so I feel I have gotten to know him well.
We were talking about climate change. We are having a 5th and 7th grade EXPO this coming Wednesday, and he is supposed to be able to stand up and explain to parents (including his own, I hope) what climate change is and what causes it.
We went over just what climate change is and what some of the causes are, and what some of the results will be. He asked a number of very intelligent questions and understood immediately what I was telling him. Based not just on that, but other conversations we have had, I said to him, "You know, you are not just an intelligent kid. You are a VERY intelligent kid. I think your problem is that you are so intelligent that these classes bore you. You have to realize that with your intelligence, there is nothing you won't be able to do or achieve later in life, if you study hard and get good grades."
As I was talking to him, I noticed tears welling up in his eyes. I have a feeling no one ever told him before that he is intelligent and can achieve things. Maybe a few years down the line he will still remember our conversation.
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