Another Sunday morning, another morning of hell with my 3rd grade Sunday School class.
OK maybe an overstatement. It’s just hard for me to handle them because I was never so obnoxious as a little kid. I don’t know what it was, but I had a lot of respect (or fear?) toward authority. I don’t know where the respect is in this class. Maybe I’m too lenient and they take advantage of that. I try to see where I’VE gone wrong. I can’t blame them, they’re only 8 years old…
I sent one of them to the rectory, finally, for the first time. He begged for a second chance, but I wasn’t having it. I was proud that I didn’t go on another selfish rant about how rude they’re being to me. I kept pushing through the class, trying to quiet them as I went… But it’s so difficult! Some of them really don’t care about what we’re doing and just don’t get it. But as long as just one of them understands what’s going on and takes something home with them, then I’ve accomplished my goal. At the end of class, I distributed the construction paper and crayons I brought with me. I had them make prayer sheets, either morning or night prayers or both. Amazingly, they all did it. Except for the two kids who already use prayer booklets at home. That’s cool.
I try. That’s what matters. The book is really boring though, so I wish I didn’t have to use it. I found a website with children’s sermons. I didn’t have time to print and make copies this morning, though, so I’m going to do that this week. They might respond better when we can have open conversation rather than trying to read while they’re all distracting each other. I’m trying to work with what I have, which is a classroom of disruptive, sometimes uninterested children. How to get their attention? Do things they might enjoy. Crafts, activities, conversations, questions and answers… They love discussing things, but it’s a challenge to keep them on topic. A challenge I pray to be willing to take on every Sunday until May…
