Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Subbing, and Blackouts, and Spiders, oh my!


Observing the spider in the sink
In my Social Studies methods class last semester, I remember Joan Staffiere telling a story about how there are a few things that completely derail a lesson. She also mentioned that if these circumstances do arise, the teacher should just let the situation run its course. Example #1: Electricity loss. Not too long after the students arrived in the classroom, the entire school fell to darkness. After a few screams and exclamations from the students, I ushered them to the carpet, and let them share their stories of times their uncle's sister's aunt lost electricity. Within minutes it was back on.  Example #2: Discovering a spider. Later, during a lesson on the five basic food groups, a student discovered a spider in the sink. Not just a spider, but a daddy-long-legs. Back story: I am terrified of spiders. After some screams from students (thankfully just the students), the group huddled around the sink. There was a heated discussion if whether it should be killed or released (released) and then whether to put it outside or in the hallway (the hallway). A very brave little girl scooped the spider into a Dixie cup and placed it in the hallway. Then came the spider stories.....

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