Image vs. Reality: A Lesson for the 7th Grader in All of Us — Whole Child Education

Image vs. Reality: A Lesson for the 7th Grader in All of Us — Whole Child Education:

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Image vs. Reality: A Lesson for the 7th Grader in All of Us

July 23, 2013 by Start Empathy

Post written by Emily Cherkin for Ashoka's Start Empathy Initiative, a whole child partner organization.

When I tell people I work with seventh graders, I often hear, "Oh, wow...I'm so sorry!" They tell me how miserable their seventh grade year was. Sometimes I hear, "It takes a certain person to work with that age group..." before their voice trails off, uncertainly.

I am usually bemused, at turns slightly offended, but mostly, I understand. Because I remember how hard seventh grade was for me, which is exactly why I so love working with this age group now.

As a part-time teacher and a full-time mom, I have been working with 7th graders for the past few years on a curriculum focusing on media literacy and anti-bullying.

I want to tell you about a recent lesson I did with the 7th graders, but before that, I want to tell you a story:

First, a visual. This was me in the 7th grade, more than twenty years ago. At the time, I played violin in the school orchestra, I took Honors English, and I was Seventh Grade Senator. From this picture alone, you might deduce that I was a confident, go-getter girl. I was organized and neat—see the collar? The perfectly centered necklace? Teachers described me as motivated, an excellent student. Friends said I was funny and loud and klutzy.

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