Saturday, May 17, 2008

Middle School Kids Aren't Bad At All

I'm back from my first presentation to 7th and 8th graders. Though it was a little odd speaking to people who sat in chairs instead of on the rug at my feet, things went very well. I heard one great class trip story, and I got into a discussion of essay writing with a small group of guys, which has given me food for thought. Though, honestly, I've thought about essays before.

I also ate lunch in the cafeteria at the class officers' table. These kids were in leadership groups, student council, and drama club. Also sports, I think.

This was not the crowd I ate lunch with when I was in 7th and 8th grade. Or in high school. Or college. Yes, we are talking a truly unique experience here.

2 comments:

LJ said...

Hi Gail-- pretty brave of you. I'm afraid I didn't eat lunch with that crowd, either. Nor did my sons (despite my best efforts).

Thanks, by the way, for Butch & Spike, which had son #2 wheezing with laughter a few years back!

Gail Gauthier said...

Yes, I did have to take my courage in hand. I was in a bit of a panic a month or two before the big day, and one of the things that was worrying me was lunch in the cafeteria. I've eaten in elementary school cafeterias many times, and I just go up to a table of kids I recognize from one of my morning talks. They're always glad to have me sit down with them. I was worried about what would happen with middle schoolers.

Lots of cafeteria scenes in Butch & Spike. I think I may have some kind of cafeteria anxiety.