A Slice of Life
by C.G.

My biggest fears were while I was in Elementary School; my biggest problem was paying attention. I was afraid. Nearly everyone and everything affected me in a negative manner. I was chosen to be the one to pick on by other class mates about anything I did or didn't do. I was always afraid of the teacher asking me any kind of questions. I could never pay attention long enough to understand the question, or to know the answer. I would let people get to me so much that my feelings would be hurt constantly because of the mocking and teasing. When I was being talked to by the teacher whether in front of the others, or not, I could feel myself turning a hot red. I used to cry a lot in my school, and I didn't like going.

One time really comes to mind. Our class had a film on war and as usual I was daydreaming and not paying attention. When the film was over we went back to our class and Mr. Handcheroff our school teacher asked questions on the film. He planned a game to go with these questions. Those who couldn't answer that question given to them would have to stand in the corner of the Principal's classroom while his class was in session. I thought for sure he'd ask me, and the more I thought about it the more I couldn't control myself, and as I had before I started to cry. Then out of embarrassment I put my head on top of my desk. I wrapped my arms around my head tightly and over my ears so that the talking of the teacher and the laughter of the others sounded as distorted as they always did to me in the first place. I thought I hated them, I'm almost sure I did. I never did go stand in the corner of the Principal's class. I was not even asked a question, not even about why I was crying. I guess my crying was so regular that it was well known and associated with my actions and reactions.

Today I still don't really understand my fear of others, or why I was like that. There it is, 17 years later and I'm full of questions and answers; I'm not afraid of being wrong in my answers; I know I won't be punished if I'm not correct.

Another thing I don't clearly understand is why wasn't I helped to get out of the shell, that trap? Perhaps if I would have had help then I could have been a happier, better, freer person a lot sooner.

Background Information

Sometimes something that happens to you as a child stays with you as you become an adult. Did you get teased a lot in school? Do you know someone who did? How did you handle it and would you do anything differently now? Also, talk about something in your life that has made you the kind of person you are now.

Questions

1. What was C.G.'s biggest problem in school?

2. What's another word for pick on?

3. What is the opposite of negative?

4. Why would C.G.'s feelings be hurt constantly?

5. Why did C.G. turn a hot red?

6. Why do you think the other children teased C.G.?

7. What was the name of C.G's school teacher?

8. Why do you think C.G. started to cry during the war film questions?

9. What does distorted mean?

10. How could someone have helped C.G?