11.27.17 Monday Morning

So sorry to hear that. We have had several deaths from various causes at our school in recent years, one of them a very young child who was a sibling of one of my former students, and two popular middle/high school students. Even without having the deceased student or sibling in my class, it was tough to deal with the kids' reactions. It is a pretty tight-knit community, particularly within the various national groups, so anything that happens to one student/family impacts everyone. I would just let them talk/write as they wish. It's English, right? Maybe after some discussion, give them time to free-write with optional sharing? Those who have things to get off their chest, or memories they want to share, can do that; those who cope in other ways can write about something else.

I don't teach high school and never have done so, so developmentally, not sure this would be appropriate. Have done it with elementary kids (also letting them draw), not just with deaths in the school community but world events that shock and upset them--school shootings, terrorist attacks, and the like.

Training-wise, "just" 40 minutes of strength stuff. Started coaching Monday so I need to move swimming to Tuesday.

Edited by Hot Runner 2017-11-27 4:42 PM