Skip to main content

If you give an 8th grader a book

If you give an 8th grader a book, they might read it.

If they read it, chances are they find it interesting.

If they find it interesting, most likely it has an “edgy” topic.

If it has an edgy topic, it will make the adults in the room uncomfortable.

If the adults in the room find it uncomfortable, they will talk to other adults.

If they talk to other adults, the teacher is bound to find out.

If the teacher finds out, chances are she will approach the uncomfortableness with the adult.

If the teacher approaches the uncomfortableness, the adult will mention concern about exposing 14 and 15 year olds to teens making bad decisions.

If the adult mentions reading about teens making bad decisions, the teacher will respond with research about discussing the issues before they are faced with them.

If the teacher begins discussing the research, the adult will comment about parents not wanting their children to read these books.

If the adult comments about the parents not wanting their children to read these books, the teacher will realize she should probably go to the principal.

If she goes to the principal, the first thing she will mention is how students are begging to read.

If the first thing mentioned is students begging to read, the principal will smile big.

If the principal smiles, the teacher will think it is safe to discuss the “edgy” topics found in the book.

If the teacher discusses the topics found in the book, sex will come up.

If sex comes up, it will be squelched quickly.

If it gets squelched, the teacher may need to go back to the textbook.

If the teacher has to go back to the textbook, the students will stop reading.

If the students stop reading, they stop thinking.

If they stop thinking, they stop solving problems before they happen.

If they stop solving problems before they happen, it is possible they will make poor choices.

If they make poor choices, they could get hurt.

If they get hurt, I would cry.

Comments

  1. TammyFebruary 4, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    Let them read!!! Way to be there for your students Mandie!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WABDR: Section 1

Section 1  We end at the beginning  Does it feel like this trip will never end? Epic adventures tend to last a bit longer than just an average one. So….on with our tale.  We got our bikes all packed up and continued over White Pass. The first time we went over it, it was a cloudy day. Thus, the visibility of the mountains was not much. I was expecting the same on our return trip to Packwood. Therefore, it took my breath away when I saw the mountain off in the distance for the first time. The beauty was so overwhelming, I teared up.    I continued to watch the mountain until I could see it no more. Soon we were in Packwood. Back where we started. After a quick breakfast at the local coffee shop, we were on our way. I may have taken a few minutes to ride the big bike first… Not too long though, because someone was ready to get moving.  Jennifer had some friends that were camping at Walupt Lake, which is right on the trail for Sectio...
Post a Comment
Read more

Aging sucks.....or does it?

Upon first thought, watching a parent age sucks. Unnoticeable at first. A bit of a stoop, some creaking in the knees, whitening of the hair. The doctor’s visits begin, as do the pills One for high blood pressure, another to thin the blood, and a handful of vitamins to top it off. The signs are there, but it is easier to see him as he has always been. My father, a pillar of strength. Until my pillar was knocked off-kilter. A simple surgery and the mortality of my father looked me square in the eye when the drugs took hold of his brain. Amidst his fidgeting and confusion, I realized…AGING SUCKS! And then….enlightenment dawned upon me….AGING IS BEAUTIFUL Wrinkles tell of smiles while silver hair speaks a life of memories. Knees creaky after years of kneeling in prayer, offering up a lap, and climbing up the stairs for one more kiss goodnight. Almost forty-eight years of memories nestled in my heart. Memories of my father. Taking us to church each Sunday Building and fixing ...
2 comments
Read more

An Easter Lesson

I decided that this break I was going to stay home and spend the week doing things I have not done or haven't done in awhile. It all began Thursday night with Ballroom Dancing, which will continue on Monday and Thursday with lessons. Saturday, I bought a couple of new outfits. Today brought both something I hadn't done in awhile and something new. Today, I went to church which was pretty cool in itself. I went with someone I just met the day before. (I am sure that is no surprise to any of you who know me.) We made plans to meet up at church. It was different from any church I had been in before. The chairs were set up "in the round." There was no piano or organ to accompany our singing. People were in and out throughout the 90 minute service. No surprise, the place was packed. The service was your typical protestant service, minus the organ, of course. It had been awhile since my friend had been to church. Many in the congregation flocked to him at the end to gi...
Post a Comment
Read more