Ok. I have finally caved in to the pressure. As I struggle to make myself understood in these times of texting and abbreviated language, I caved. Me, a self-professed lover of words and language. A professional educator who is only two short classes away from completing a master’s degree in education.
Why did I cave? Well, it came about when I realized the students were having difficulty understanding the language on a test I was giving them. I could not understand why my instructions were so difficult. I looked them over carefully, seeking to find any flaw. Then, it occurred to me: the directions are too simplistic and straightforward. I thought back to conversations I have had with my own kids and with my students. Here is an example:
“Where is your paper?”
“Paper?”
“Yes – your paper. Your assignment. Where is it?”
“I don’t have it.”
“I know that. Where is it?”
“What?”
Sigh. “OK. You know that homework assignment?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you do it?”
“Do what?”
Resist groaning. “Your homework. That thing you do at home. That is work. For school. At home.”
“Huh?”
I go in search of a sample. I show it to the student.
The student then has an ah-ha moment. “OHHHHHH!! You mean the reading stuff we had to do at home for you.”
These type of conversations are all too commonplace. I finally figured out my problem is not anything more than a language barrier. They speak 6th grade, and I speak teacher. So I caved. This week we were reviewing for a vocabulary test with a game called “Wordo”. As I was explaining the rules to them I saw some were having difficulty grasping the rules. I paused for a moment, closed my eyes and just completely gave in. It was quite painful for me as I explained to my class, “You know, it’s just exactly like Bingo – only different.”
I kid you not – they got it. Almost in unison, little light bulbs went on all over the room. I now concede the point and acknowledge that, at times, it is necessary to try speaking their language. If you can’t beat ‘em – join ‘em.
Christine Moore currently holds a degree from Howard Payne University and is actively working toward a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Married with four children, Christine teaches 6th grade reading in Brownwood and has been working in education at various levels for the past 14 years. Her husband, Jeremy, owns a local company that specializes in web design, custom computer builds, and on-location repair called DreamSoft Design at www.dreamsoftdesign.com. Christine welcomes your questions and comments and would love to hear from you!
