Talking to my second graders about shootings [View all]

It was necessary, I guess, that I had to once again talk to my second graders today about school shooters. That I had to discuss with children who still like to carry little toy cars and stuffed animals and dolls around, who are still working through imaginary monsters under their beds and in their closets, how we would keep safe in the unlikely event that a bad person with bad intent attempt to invade our space. You'd think that after nearly thirty years of teaching, I could get through this expertly, that I could soothe their fears and that then it would be all OK. I tried. I don't think it worked so well. All I wanted to do was to hug my students and cry with them and tell them how sorry I am that it's come to this. We are teaching our students how to survive in case they're attacked and shot at in what should be at their age a safe space, a place of joy and discovery. It is necessary to prepare even the very young for these contingencies. That's what is so horrible. Because we adults can't seem to muster the political and social will to effectively deal with this threat. Sad.