Surpassing expectations

As we near fourth quarter, it's been long enough for some to ask, Are you glad you switched to eighth grade? I am glad. Do I miss sixth grade? Yes, of course I do sometimes. But last summer, I was nervous to move from my cozy preteen home to my new digs upstairs. Thank god most of my assumptions about this teenage age group have been turned upside down. Here are some of my pleasant surprises.

This year, I have witnessed eighth graders:

            ...reflect honestly on mistakes.
            ...ask for Disney music as our class soundtrack.
            ...stand up for each other when someone's rude.
            ...reach out to new kids.
            ...appreciate (and implement) writing advice.
            ...work quietly when I ask them to.
            ....collaborate when correcting grammar.
            ...tolerate classmates no matter their differences.
            ...show up at lunch and after school appointments when they say they will.

            ...write for pie.