Page 116 - She's One Crazy Lady!

them but, in time, with continuity, guidance and belief in them, they had mellowed, and the trust, the respect and the love of learning was there. They were a joy to be with. I always loved teaching year six. Lucy, a Supply Teacher was covering for me. Looking through the window the children were all on task and looked happy enough, so I quietly walked in.
“You OK?” whispered Lucy. I nodded to reassure her and to indicate I was ready to take over. The children looked up. They sensed something was different.
Part of the success of gaining the children’s confidence and raising their self-esteem at Highfields was the introduction of ‘Circle Time’ – a time in the day, usually at the end, set aside for bringing the children together in a circle on the floor. Once seated, the get-together could take on many different forms. It was a time for the children to individually express themselves and speak out about things that were worrying them or share good things happening in their lives; it was a time to share worries and a time to try and resolve or come to terms with them. There were rules though: only one child to speak at a time – with ‘Bramwell,’ the class teddy bear, to be held and passed on each time a new child spoke; no interruptions and no negative or derogatory contributions or comments – only positive comments allowed! This was done by one child either asking, or being nominated, to sit in the middle of the circle, with the rest of the class asking questions, saying nice things, offering useful, encouraging suggestions and comments. They loved these times and often, doing these sessions just before going home, it was lovely for me to see certain children leave the room holding their head up, feeling good about themselves, feeling loved and cared for, feeling they did have friends and were liked when, for so long, they were insecure and unhappy. Such times together were very revealing; there was so much respect – even from what I called, the ‘challenging’ children.
On impulse, I decided to call a Circle Time at that moment and quietly told the class to put their maths books away and get out the cushions. Excitement! What was going on? All the children were mumbling – inquisitive looks on their faces. With bottoms comfortably on cushions, some 30+ children’s faces looked earnestly at me. Who was going in the middle today? I asked if they minded if I sat in the hot seat? Bramwell was in my hand.
“Ooh, Miss Hooper! Miss Hooper’s going in the hot seat!” they chorused. I’d got their attention.
“Have you got something to share with us Miss Hooper?”
“What are you going to tell us Miss Hooper?”
Suddenly, a loud voice in the background... Daniel, a lovable,
mischievous rogue: “I bet she’s going to tell us she’s pregnant or she’s going to tell us she’s leaving. Are you pregnant Miss Hooper? You’re not leaving us, are you?” He was serious. All eyes were on me. Oh, how I loved the innocence of children.
“I bet she’s going to tell us she’s pregnant or she’s going to tell us she’s leaving. Are you pregnant Miss Hooper? You’re not leaving us, are you?” He was serious. All eyes were on me. Oh, how
I loved the innocence of children. ”
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“No, Daniel, I’m not pregnant...”