Sunday, March 20, 2016

Lighter

Last week, we asked questions...all kinds of questions. We've been collecting Snapple caps this year; and finally we had a chance to use them. Every student grabbed a cap, read the fact on the inside, and brainstormed a list of questions. Then we partnered with our shoulder buddies, swapped caps, and asked more questions. We declared our class a "No Answer Zone" for the day and simply enjoyed asking questions that led to more questions and better questions and more intriguing questions.
We were swallowing questions whole and chewing them up and rolling them around in our heads like marbles in a maze; and then we were laughing about some of our questions and honoring some questions with total silence...awed by the power of the question itself. We felt free...not pressured to answer, just prompted to wonder.
Then, someone read Snapple "Real Fact, #98."
"When the moon is directly overhead, you weigh slightly less."


Someone asked, "How can that be true?"
Someone else said, "Can you feel the difference?"
And then, a hand raised, "Can I answer?" he said, hesitantly.
He is moving this weekend...back to Chicago. He's only been at our school a couple of weeks, so bright, so friendly. He has not been with us long enough for us to get to know him, just long enough for us to welcome him. At home, he speaks Spanish; at school, English. In Chicago, he says they have family and friends. They came here, he said, to find work.
"But it was worse...for work, I mean," he had explained to me earlier in the day when the guidance office called to tell me he was withdrawing. "We have to go back...for work."
"I understand," I told him.
Now, with all eyes on him, in a No Answer Zone, he waits to share what he knows.
"Of course!" I said. "Answer. Please answer!"
"It's gravity...it's all about gravity," he said. His eyes were shining. "When you are standing exactly under the moon, it lifts you...ummm," he searched for the word he was looking for. "It lifts you...slightly."
That night, I walked outside and down the street to the corner. I looked up. The moon was directly overhead. I lifted my heels a little. I lifted my arms a little. I hoped the neighbors were not watching. I stood there, staring at the moon for a long time.
I thought about my new student...moving back to Chicago after such a short time with us. I thought what a heavy burden he carries...the only one in his family who speaks English, moving often, trying hard at every school, reaching out, trying to understand, trying to be understood, listening, sharing, making friends, leaving them.
I thought about him, standing directly under the moon...back home, where his teachers know him, where he is near friends and family again.
I felt lighter, slightly lighter.

17 comments:

  1. Oh my how your slice touched my heart! I taught at a school in the suburbs of Chicago and we had so many wonderful students just like you described! I so loved the diversity of the school.And yes, these children do carry a heavy burden to make their families proud and to succeed in striving for a better life. Oh by the way, loved the activity!

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  2. What a moon-shining moment for both of you. Kudos for giving your new student a moment to connect and offer his knowledge, despite the "rules" of the day, and Bravo! to your new student for being willing to extend himself in a new place, with new people, and trying again and again in each new space. Your story made me feel lighter, too!

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  3. What a moon-shining moment for both of you. Kudos for giving your new student a moment to connect and offer his knowledge, despite the "rules" of the day, and Bravo! to your new student for being willing to extend himself in a new place, with new people, and trying again and again in each new space. Your story made me feel lighter, too!

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  4. Oh my goodness. This is so beautifully structured. And yes, that activity sounds terrific!

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  5. Who knew there was such power in a Snapple lid? Loved the way you developed this slice! My favorite line, "We were swallowing questions whole and chewing them up and rolling them around in our heads like marbles in a maze." Loved that imagery! I feel so bad for these students who are a pawn in the game of survival.

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  6. I love the No Answer Zone. What a great way to get students thinking. Who knows where those unanswered questions may lead.

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  7. This is great! I love the NO ANSWER ZONE!

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  8. You sound like an inquiry teacher! Are you at a PYP school? I love your slice about this lesson. :) Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you! I'm not at a PYP school - 7th grade public school in a large district.

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  9. This sounds like a fun activity for students. I like that it was a "No Answer Zone." Your line, "rolling them around in our heads like marbles in a maze" is great. I love the imagery.

    Your post is very emotional to me. I feel your love for your students, and I think they are very lucky to have you.

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    1. Thank you! I hope they feel lucky; I know I feel lucky to have them.

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  10. I love hearing about your "no answer zone" & just questions, but the way you moved into the real story is magical, and the ending, breathtaking. I will remember that boy's story for a long time, Lori.

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  11. What a great way to get kids thinking!
    And thank you for sharing his story.

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  12. I also found this story touching. Feeling lighter directly under the light of the moon I think signifies hope. ;)

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  13. I also found this story touching. Feeling lighter directly under the light of the moon I think signifies hope. ;)

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  14. I love all the discoveries you found here and with just one answer. I could almost feel the thinking in your classroom. It's wonderful he was able to shine a bit in a moment with your students. He won't forget it.

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  15. What fun to use the Snapple caps for wondering and asking questions in your No Answer zone. I love that this particular student provided the one answer. Your conclusion is exquisite! I think many of us may be standing under the next full moon seeking to feel lighter for our world and our students.

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