SO first period got right to business with a DO nOw about things they think need reforming in today's world. They were to begin a research and digital media project about the Progressive Era and I wanted them in that zone. They were there, even the hyper hormoned 16 year old boys. We shared out, I explained the project, you could hear a pin drop- they were LISTENING TO DIRECTIONS - I gave them the go ahead to open computers and pick the person they will research- we were good to go....
5 minutes into researching and discovering about their subject, the power in the entire building went out. I looked around, they weren't too distracted yet- they were still working! 98% of their Chromebooks were charged and this power outage did not deter them. I handed my ipad to one kid and my chromebook to another. Another kid said, "I'll just use my phone". Wow- nightmare diverted!
15 minutes later- the wi-fi goes out. Now they were ready to have their excuse. I checked other classrooms, racked my brain. There is no textbook that has all 35 of the people they were researching. Should we go to the library and use encyclopedias??? I don't even know if the library still has those.
I waited ten minutes, no wi-fi. Okay time to read. I found a story of that era in a set of literature books I have in my class, for moments like this I guess. Everyone got a book, they were all on the page and quieted down, transitioned to mellow time. I was about to open my mouth and - wham- the lights and power all flashed back on. Hooping and hollering. I decided to keep them in reading mode. We read and laid on the ground until the bell rang. I had no more transitions left in me.
A-ha: I still get surprised when things do not go as I expected.
Reminder: Find out if the library still has encyclopedias.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Feedback and advice welcomed!!!