“We’re Bored!”
It’s 8:17 in the morning. Rain crashes against the giant windows that span the length of our classroom’s back wall. Class has barely started, and I try desperately to suppress my own stifled yawns behind my steaming coffee cup as I let you all close your choice books and get out your notes. Your participation lately has been … reluctant. We’re all exhausted, but I am eager to get class started. Today’s lesson should be engaging, if not fun, for all. I have a bit of hope that today’s review of the trolley problem, with a plot-relevant twist, will spur some excitement. What is it about death that gets you students talking so much?
But alas, it quickly becomes apparent that constant chattering, also a frequent issue, will not be an issue to triumph over with you all today. “What do we remember from Scene 2?” I ask. “Feel free to use your notes!” An eternity seems to pass as I look into the sea of your blank faces, dozens of pairs of unenthused eyes waiting for me to just give up the answer. Rain drip, drip, drips against the window, filling the silence that you all refuse to. “Okay, review your notes with your partners!” You are all aiming for the blue ribbon in a staring contest we did not enter, as you continue to not reach for the notes right in front of you. This isn’t just the Monday morning speaking. I give in, but not in the way you all want.
“What’s going on with you all? Tell me honestly. What is not clicking?”
It takes a moment to muster your courage. There is one more moment of still silence before one face in the sea bravely speaks, practically shouts, out: “Miss, we’re bored!” Some more voices finally follow. “I agree. This play is boring!” “Well, it’s kind of tough to read.”
Finally. Something to work with! Something much more tangible than awkward silence. I think the argument-heavy, bloodshed-filled drama of Antigone is anything but boring, but back to the drawing board I go. “You’re bored? I can work with that. What might make this less boring?” And now we’re back to blank stares and the deafening silence of raindrops. Your answers today were not the scene summary I wanted, but they were what I needed to hear to fix this.
Avery,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this piece. You capture the mood of the room so well, especially with the rain and that heavy Monday morning energy. Lines like “Rain drip, drip, drips against the window” really make the silence feel real and almost tangible.
I also like the shift when a student finally says, “Miss, we’re bored!” That moment feels honest and important, and your response shows a lot of flexibility as a teacher. The ending works well too, especially the idea that their answers weren’t what you wanted, but what you needed.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s a really strong reflection on listening to students and adjusting in the moment.
With gratitude,
Kaitlyn
Avery, thank you so much for giving me feedback on my work. Your point about tightening up longer paragraphs was really helpful. I went back through and cut down some sections ot make things more focused, and I agree that it reads more cleanly now. I’m also glad that the student responses came through well. Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteI also really liked your piece, especially the way you captured that quiet, almost uncomfortable classroom moment and built tension through it. The rain and silence details stood out and made the scene feel very real. Thanks for sharing it.
Avery, you did such a great job on this piece! The figurative language is beautiful and makes the ambiance of the scene tangible. I especially love the opening paragraph, it transported me right into the scene where I could hear the rain and even feel the warmth of the coffee.
ReplyDeleteThe line “you are all aiming for the blue ribbon in a staring contest we did not enter” is both hilarious and also all-too-relatable. You capture the stubborn energy of a student-teacher faceoff so well, this is exactly how it feels. Then, at the end, when the students finally break and give a response, even when it’s not the answer you were necessarily hoping for— that moment is also captured perfectly. Your enthusiasm for finally getting to interact with the students is infectious. Your writing shows the attention you give to your teaching and your students, and it shows the joy and excitement that comes from truly listening to our students. This piece was a lovely read, thank you so much for writing and sharing it!