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talking to kids about death?
One of the teachers at the school I have been doing all of my subbing at had a heart attack last night. I was asked to cover her class for the rest of this week and next week until she got back. They rearranged/covered all of the other classes I was supposed to be covering this week so that we could provide consistency for the children. I got the call tonight that she had passed. I'm still in shock and I know it hasn't set in (because I'm not sobbing). This is a teacher that I knew when I was in school. I was friends with her daughter and niece.
I'm sure the school is going to contact the parents of these students and let them know but I know they are going to want/need to talk about it. Any suggestions on how to talk to 2nd graders about the loss of their teacher? I will be meeting the the guidance counselor tomorrow before school as well.
Re: talking to kids about death?
Firstly, I'm sorry for your loss.
Maybe you can read a story book about it. I'm not familiar with any in particular, but I have heard of people talking to small children about death through stories before. Maybe the guidance counselor can recommend one.
What grade? I like the idea of utilizing a book if possible. I imagine the district should have someone on hand to address the students and talk about it....
I think a story would be good... older kids might benefit from writing a letter to her family about how much they appreciated and loved her.... so they could get their thoughts and feelings out.... younger kids might like to draw pictures for her family, cards, etc....
A couple years ago a First Grade Teacher was killed in a motorcycle accident. I know that they had all of the Social Workers/School Psychologists go to that school (not sure how big your district is) if any kids needed someone to talk to. Our Social Worker was Spanish speaking so it was important for him to go in case kids felt better expressing themselves in Spanish. I would find it odd if you as the sub was expected to tell the kids. They should hear it from the guidance counselor or principal IMO.
After the fact, however, they had the kids all make cards for the family. It really was more so therapeutic for the kids to be able to get out their ideas in pictures/words.
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The person delivering the news to the class should be someone well known to the students. Usually it's recommended that the classroom teacher share the news, but in this case I would think the principal or counselor would be best depending on how well the students know either. It really wouldn't be appropriate for them to have you tell the students.
Here's a link to the Good Grief program. The woman who runs it is the guru of helping children through grief. http://www.bmc.org/pediatrics-goodgrief/tipsforadults.htm
So sorry for your loss and for those children who have to deal with understanding all this.
This. I would request some administrator/counselor at the school be with me for a good chunk of the day, at least until the kids felt comfortable enough to continue on. Chances are they already are planning on doing this, though. It will be the whole school in need, both students and teachers, so I'm sure the school board will take special care of you guys.
I'm sorry for your loss. Hugs for the next couple days.
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The parents were all called this morning before the students came so most of them knew when they came in. Our school guidance counselor came in to talk to them. The Principal, collaborative teacher and a social worker were all there also. We talked about how they might feel and that is was ok to be sad/mad/whatever and that they could talk to any of us. Then we drew pictures and wrote her and her family letters.
The kids seemed to do just fine. Everything is very matter of fact for them and I got quite a few chuckles from how they talk about things.