I'm having trouble concentrating today because of the news about the earthquake in Haiti. I live in earthquake country, but I've never experienced anything like what is happening there. The images of destruction and the news of suffering has made it hard to think anything else is worth talking about.
It raises the question: when something big happens, how do you deal with it in your class? Do you ignore it? Focus on it? Pray about it?
I think it's not helpful to avoid big events, the proverbial elephant in the room. If you do, there's the suspense of wondering, will it ever get talked about? This goes for any big event, whether it's in the news or in your community.
At the same time, I don't think every news bulletin deserves to take up a full class. Some things are definitely show-stoppers; others need to be acknowledged so that they don't loom over the proceedings; still others may require some action.
Here are five thoughts on managing elephants:
1) Recognize the elephant up front
You may have a lot to get through, but it will be harder to do if the elephant is sitting there with its hand up waiting to be called on.
2) Sometimes an elephant just needs to be noticed
When something is big news, it may be that a simple statement such as, "I know we're all thinking about X," or "Before we start, let's say a prayer for Y," will be all you need for the elephant to settle down.
3) Sometimes it's just your elephant
This may be the case for me with Haiti--that just because I think this is the most important thing going on doesn't mean that it is. Not that it would be wrong to start the class with a prayer for Haiti, but I think it's good for us to remember that just because I think something is crucially important and on everyone's mind doesn't mean that it is.
4) Sometimes you don't know about the elephant
Conversely, there may be something going on in school or in kids' lives that we don't know about. A lot of schools have finals at the end of January; your students' restlessness may be due to that rather than their lack of interest.
5) Elephants can be opportunities
I remember one class where I ran roughshod over a very interesting conversation because I had to Get Through The Lesson. Whoops! So you get off track; maybe that will take you where you actually need to go.
I hope you'll join me in saying a prayer for the people of Haiti. And I wish you all the best in your CnC classes for 2010.