by Kathleen M. Muldoon
I’m going to tell you something that I’ve never told anyone before. Can you keep a secret? All right, here goes: I almost dropped out of sixth grade. It’s true. Before, I’d felt comfortable in fifth grade. Most days, other than recess and lunch, I spent in the same classroom with my teacher, Mr. Blade. He taught everything from language arts to math to social studies. On Tuesday afternoons we went to Miss Martinez for art, and on Thursdays we had an hour of P.E. in the mornings and an hour of music in the afternoons. I liked that schedule. I knew exactly where I’d be at all times.
Then came middle school. Before I even got there, I knew I wouldn’t like it. Why did I have to leave Jefferson Elementary anyway? Why couldn’t I have sixth, seventh, and eighth grade right there? Who invented middle school and why? No one seemed to have answers for those questions.
My first day in sixth grade was a disaster. I soon learned that the first classroom into which I was herded was only for roll call. I was handed a piece of paper with my schedule. Not only would I have a different teacher for every single subject, but I was expected to be in a different classroom for each one of those different teachers! I spent that first day racing through the halls, bumping into other lost sixth graders, and trying to find the numbers on the classroom doors. By the time the final bell rang, I’d made a decision. I would not return to middle school. Not ever.
I made that dramatic announcement to my grandmother when I arrived home.
“I didn’t want to change schools anyway,” I told her. “Middle school is stupid. I’m not going back.”
Then my grandmother, who never changed, said just what she always said. “When you’re finished whining, go start your homework.”
So I was forced to make that change against my will. Even so, no one could make me like the change from elementary to middle school, and I grumbled about it for two more months to show my displeasure.
There were lots of other changes I didn’t like as I grew-moving to new neighborhoods, starting new schools, becoming a teenager-I found these and other changes stressful. But I began to realize that change isn’t always bad. For example, some changes are downright necessary-like changing a baby’s diaper, and changing our socks and underwear-I think we can all agree that these changes must be made.
Come to think of it, lots of changes are actually good. Once we’ve made the leap from childhood to teen age, we learn there are benefits and privileges that come with that change; we might get a learning permit for driving and usually more generous curfews from our parents.
Technological changes improve our lives, don’t they? Cell phones and computers evolve daily. I love some of those cool digital camera phones. What a change from the clunky versions that emerged on the scene before some of you were born. I like the new featherweight leg braces that fit into my shoes. What an improvement over the heavy metal ones I used to have screwed into special shoes that were as heavy as combat boots.
Let’s see, I’m trying to think of other changes-oh, right here! I checked my mail for Orbit and found the new and improved version you’re holding right now, Action. I think it looks much more “today.” What do you think? In fact, I’d like to know what you think about this change or any other changes you’ve faced. How do you handle changes you don’t like? You can share your thoughts by emailing “Kids in Action” at action@unitedspinal.org, or you can mail them to:
KIDS IN ACTION
Action
United Spinal Association
75-20 Astoria Boulevard
Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1177
Keep reading “Kids in Action” and see how others handle change-and what some of you think about the new look of Action. See you next month.
Kathleen M. Muldoon is a children’s book author and writing instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature. She lives in San Antonio, Texas.
