For the last two months, I've spent 40 hours a week with a lively group of 8 and 9-year-olds. We went on field trips, did science experiments, spent lots of time at the town pool, and read Goosebumps books. Although it was exhausting to take care of 20 children, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Some days the kids made me want to rip my hair out, but they also made me smile and laugh like no one else can. I made wonderful memories with them and my coworkers. But instead of writing about that, I'd like to share with you what the kids had to say about their summers (and about life in general).
1. What is the hardest part about being a kid?
Having friends, because you have them and then they go away.
Listening.
Sleeping.
Having someone bully you.
Not being able to stay home alone.
Chores.
Getting stolen by a stranger. (Note: The student didn't actually get stolen by a stranger, they were just stating that it's a possibility).
Learning.
Working together.
Friends. Sometimes my friends be mean to me.
Doing things I don’t want to do.
Washing dishes.
2. If you were a teacher and the kids in your class weren't listening, what would you do?
Make ‘em have no free time for 30 minutes.
Send them in time out.
Put them in a chair.
Call the police.
Smack them in the butt.
Say “no toys!”
Yell at them.
Be strict and make them sit down.
Take something away.
Make them sit down for 30 minutes.
Tell the principal. Or call their parents.
Scream.
3. What is your favorite memory from this summer?
Playing with my old friends that I only see in the summer.
Blowing stuff up (in science).
Squirting people with water guns.
Swimming.
Maine.
Kayaking.
Field day.
Making new friends.
Going to Bromley.
4. What is the funniest thing that happened to you this summer?
Playing with Brandon (one of the teachers).
“Really black turkey.” Note: One day we had roast beef sandwiches for lunch. One student asked the boy sitting next to him, “what is this… really really really dark turkey?”
Mr. Brandon being silly.
Reading upside down.
Learning how to hang upside down.
Seeing my brother with a pea in his ear.
When Seth fell in the hippo (on the playground) and was not hurt.
Playing legos with Bradley.
5. What do you want to learn in school this year?
How to have real friends.
Frogs.
About airplanes.
More science.
Counting to 200.
Art.
How to read better.
Moltplakshan (multiplication).
Computers.
How to write cursive.
Chemistry.
6. What is the worst part about summer coming to an end?
Having to listen to the teachers.
Homework.
We don’t get to go to the town pool.
Because I want to have more fun.
Going back to school.
Seeing winter.
Summer ending.
I’m not going to see some of my new friends.
Because I don’t get to see you guys.
We won’t see any of the nice teachers.
We all have to say goodbye.
7. If you could go anywhere on vacation right now, where would you go?
Florida because my cousin goes there.
New York because they have a hotel.
The Great Escape.
France because I bet it's fun there.
Lego Land because it’s cool.
Colorado because some of my cousins live there.
Massachusetts because it has an amusement park.
Florida to visit my friends.
Hollywood because it’s a city.
Probably Hawaii.
I will go to South Carolina because my uncle lives there.
Golden State. I would go there to see the Warriors.
Florida to see my aunt.
Okemo ‘cause it is fun there.
Hawaii because I’d like to see the flowers.
Disney world because it looks fun.
8. Who is more smart, boys or girls? Why do you think so?
Boys' answers:
Boys and girls because they are both smart.
Boys. Because girls are hippies.
Boys because they’re awesome.
Boys!!! They’re more awesome.
Boys because I am a boy.
Girls because they focus and do not fool around.
Boys because they are just more smart.
Obviously girls because pretty much girls only have glasses and that makes them look smart.
Both. I have some girls that are friends and I don’t want them to be mad at me.
Boys because girls are weirdos.
Girls' answers:
Girls. You know the rhyme. Girls go to college to get more knowledge and boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider.
Girls because I am a girl.
Girls because they know a lot more math.
Girls. Because boys don’t listen that much.
Girls. I think they’re better than boys.
Girls because they do more science.
The kids loved to talk about Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, so here's my last question:
9. Who should the next president be? Why do you think so?
Hillary Clinton because she is nice and Trump does not let the same color people be together!
Hillary because she’s smart.
Hillary Clinton because she’s old and old people are nice.
Hillary Clinton because she is the best!!!
Donald Trump.
Both because they’re both good.
Hillary Clinton because she is smart.
Hillary Clinton because she is a girl.
Bernie. He’s good.
Donald Trump because he wants to change the world and Hillary wants to rule the world.
Donald Trump because he’s not a liar.
Donald isn’t a copycat. Hillary is.
Donald Trump, because my mom said Hillary Clinton is stupid.
Hillary Clinton, because Donald Trump wants to build a wall.
In some ways, children think just like adults do. But in other ways, they are innocent little souls that have yet to figure out the harsh realities of life. And that's why I love them, they bring out the "kid" in me. Unfortunately my time with them this summer has come to an end, and I'm going to miss them like crazy.
