My fifth grade year was a year for stretching. Having spent the good part of my childhood in ballet, when my schedule suddenly opened up, I decided to fill it up with new things. I signed up for a soccer team and found out that I stunk at soccer and didn’t really enjoy team sports at all.
I also thought I’d give swimming a try. I loved to be in the water, but I had never been much of a swimmer. Apparently, that wasn’t meant to be, either. I swam decently but I could not get myself to dive, and so I was stuck as an Advanced Class flunky.
I took stretching to a whole new level in fifth grade. I had always been one of the shortest in my class since kindergarten, but in 5th grade I shot up in height and moved from the front row of the class picture to almost the back row (that’s me in the pink jump suit in the next to last row, with my horrible pre-teen hairdo. I grew so much that year that I still have the stretch marks to prove it. Sam, my first kiss, was still in the front (wearing the soccer ball shirt). I bet he was glad he kissed me before I was half a foot taller than him.
Fifth grade was my first year in Mrs Smith’s 5th and 6th grade combined G.A.T.E. class. Mrs. Smith stretched us more than any other teacher that I had encountered before or after. As much as we all swore that we couldn’t stand her and hated how hard her class was, we all truthfully loved it (and her). We were a big family, and not just because we were together for longer than the usual class.
My dad was one of our frequent guest teachers/workshops. He spoke all about Guatemala and El Salvador, where he had lived for 2 years {many years before} as a missionary. I was so proud to have him in my class!
The last 5th grade stretch was a big one for me. The once terrifyingly shy little girl had grown–both in inches and in confidence. I decided that I would run for student leadership. I campaigned (and made all flyers, posters, and buttons by hand) and ended up winning the election for student government secretary.
I’m recording my youth, one year per week. Come back next week to find out what life was like in 6th grade (age 11).
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Good work winning the election. I remember in Junior High my mom came in to the sewing class and taught it because my teacher was kind of lame. I remember feeling so proud, too!
Isn’t it fun to see old photos? Yes, Dad’s outfit and glasses are so 80s. :)
Omigosh!!! Cutest post ever!!!! I LOOOVE all your photos. I LOVE seeing your campaigning material. And I LOVED seeing how high Dad’s pants were and how huge his glasses were compared to his head while he taught at your class.
We need to organize who is bringing what to Thanksgiving!
Cute theme about stretching…especially about your teacher! So glad you remember the way she taught the combined class. Glad to see that you tried some other activities now that ballet was not in the picture.
These are great memories… and I think your pre-teen hairdo is cute!!
Karen (visiting from Group 3)