[DISCLAIMER: This is a true story and does not reflect any political leaning, opinions, or thoughts of the author or Portsmouth School System. It is a mere retelling of the facts as heard in a class I was teaching recently and it is not meant to begin a political war, political dialogue, opinion, or torches being flung through my windows. The sole purpose is the humor of the situation and nothing more. The hoping result is a smile of the reader and realization of how funny this is.]
Replacing a vocabulary word with another well intentioned word can certainly change the direction of the desired destination of a conversation. Have you been teaching a very serious and monotonous topic and suddenly have it zing in another direcition?
Lisa and I were recently asked to model a lesson for a frightfully boring SOL in 6th grade (U.S. History–Stamp Act/Proclamation Act of 1763/etc.–>#6c), and after we reviewed it, both of us said, “No wonder kids can’t stand Social Studies!” It’s a very discombobulated SOL and wanders from the Stamp Act to paying debts for the French and Indian War to the Proclamation of 1763. Continuity can only result if you make a graphic organizer and figure out where to zero in. The two of us finally realized that the main theme is the resentment of colonists towards the British.
Students were placed in a simulation setting. Starbursts were the “pay,” juice was the “tea” for Boston Harbor, our visit was the “upkeep,” and my embosser was the “stamp” for the graphic organizer. Students were all engaged and on task; behavior problems were nonexistent. The lesson was flowing and we were PUMPED. “Wow,” we said, “are we good or WHAT?!?” Our egos were STOKED. Yes!
In our wrap up, as Lisa was reviewing the vocabulary, the conversation went like this:
“Today we discussed how the colonists were angry, upset, and didn’t like what the British were doing. What word meant that they were feeling angry and opposed to the laws of the British?”
Nothing. No response. Quiet.
“Remember how ANGRY you got when we kept charging you tax on the juice and other things and kept taking Starbursts? How did you feel?”
“ANGRY!”
“So, you didn’t like it–you opposed it–you…????”
I piped in, “It starts with a “r”……”
“…..an e………”
One student’s eyes lit up and he raised his hand. “I know!”
“Yes?” said Lisa, excited that someone remembered our awesome teaching! “It is…?”
“Republican?”
He had no idea why we were hysterical. Someday he’ll understand the weird adults laughing and leaning against the wall.
