Four Years of Observing a Fourth Grader
First Day of School: It's the beginning of a new school year, and our fourth-grade student appears a bit nervous as he enters the classroom. He looks around shyly, trying to choose the perfect seat. Eventually, he decides on a desk near the back of the room, but near enough to the front that he can still see the teacher. I can tell he's trying his best to be invisible, but he's also curious about his new surroundings.
Mid-Year Update: It's been a few months since school started, and I've noticed a significant change in our fourth grader. He's become more outgoing, interacting with his classmates and even volunteering to answer questions in class. He still sits in the same desk, but he has decorated it with his favorite superhero stickers. His confidence has grown, and he seems to really be enjoying school.
The End of the Year: As the school year comes to a close, I can hardly believe how much our young fourth grader has grown. He's now one of the most popular kids in class, and his desk is covered with artwork and photos of his friends. He's developed a sense of humor, and he's always making his classmates laugh. When I look at him on this last day of fourth grade, I can see that he's ready to take on the world.
