Last week was kind of a quiet week at school. As I predicted, the fairly well-behaved classes don't give me very many interesting stories to blog about. My major issues have to do with students not turning in work (and earning F's).
One day Jasper came to my desk to ask for a restroom pass. Although, "ask" is too strong a word. He pointed outside and kind of motioned.
And that's when I realized, had I actually heard Jasper talk?
Yeah, I had. But quietly. He whispers. Barely talks.
But suddenly, he's not talking at all.
The students have book work. They read the chapters. They write outlines. They answer key idea questions. (It's the way Mr. B has the class set up.) Occasionally I'll read with them.
The room tends to remain pretty quiet.
And Jasper has gotten quieter. It's not like he was loud before. But now...
I was tempted to make him ask me in words what he wanted. I think I did. But then I realized, if he doesn't want to talk, why should he?
We're getting into the end of the year. It's getting darker earlier. I think we're all tired.
Maybe it's time to let some of us go quiet. Just for a bit.
Sounds good to me. Ah, quiet to think in. A lot more kindness, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very quiet room most of the time.
DeleteNot a bad idea
ReplyDeleteAt this time of year I think it's ideal.
DeleteNice to respect his silence, whatever the motivation might be.
ReplyDeleteI hope he isn't suffering in his silence. It's something I need sometimes, though, and stay quiet myself.
ReplyDeleteHe's spoken since I wrote this, so I think all is well. He just has periods where he's not speaking much at all.
DeleteOh, good. I appreciate the update. Take care!
DeleteI think your instincts are good not to press the issue.
ReplyDeleteDays are shorter. It complete dark by 4PM
ReplyDeleteYes, some kids are by nature quiet. That's okay, I think.
ReplyDeleteYou might make a huge difference in his life if you get him to talk a bit. I'm saying this from experience.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm going to be around long enough to make any sort of difference.
DeleteNot a bad idea :)
ReplyDeleteAll this darkness pairs really well with quiet.
ReplyDeleteIt does.
Delete"if he doesn't want to talk, why should he?"
ReplyDeleteIt's probably not that Jasper doesn't want to talk, but that he is afraid to talk and that the problem will only get worse unless he gets help. I have a soft voice and was painfully shy as a child. Until I was around 13, I stuttered and couldn't (and still can't, comfortably anyway) pronounce the letter L, which was made worse by the fact that my name is Lowell. So, I wish to god that I had had someone gently encourage me to speak-- aside from having me say the word please repeatedly because they got a laugh out of hearing me say peas.
He talks fine when he does talk. I wrote this last week. This past week, he wasn't silent. I guess I just caught him on a bad day.
DeleteSometimes people just don't feel like talking. I'm glad you respected that.
ReplyDeleteI have those moments myself.
DeleteI think a lot of us have these sorts of 'leave me alone, I'm fine but I'm not talking' days!
ReplyDeleteYes, we do.
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