Working in education is full of all sorts of moments. There are moments of stress, moments of celebration, and moments of laughter. Today I want to talk about the magical moments that take place in a classroom.
Lately there have been several magical moments in my class. One such event was a couple of weeks ago. I was introducing persuasive techniques by showing them various ads. I had taken the ads I found and put them into a program to use with my interactive whiteboard. As I clicked through each ad and we discussed it, I was amused to hear from the back of the room an awed voice….
Student: Wow…how did you do that?(Before I could respond…)
Student #2: It’s magic.
(The devil made me do it…)
Me: (waving the stylus pen I use on that board) Yes, see? Here’s the magic wand.
Student #1: Wow.
The lesson progressed and we went on with our notes and discussion, the kids becoming animated by what they were seeing on the board, when that same voice piped up from the back of the room again.
Student #1: Really, Miss…how did you get that in there?
Student #2: (again, quick with the quips) I told you – magic.
Me: (laughing, what could I say?)
Student #1: Wow.
This week we are continuing to work with persuasion as the students are crafting a paper to type in preparation for a multi-media project they will be creating next week. To provide directions easily accessible and to simply try something different to try gaining the students’ attention and interest, I created a file with a picture and my recorded voice giving instructions. As they sat in my classroom on Monday with the laptops on their desks, wearing headphones, we navigated through the school website and then they listened to my file. Faces lit up, jaws dropped, and eyes sparkled.
Student #1: Miss…is that YOU??
Me: (grinning) Yes, that is me.
Student #1: Wow…how did you get in THERE?
(I’ve got to be quicker…)
Student #2: It’s magic.
Actually, I think I agree with that student, but not in the way it was meant. To me, the magic was in the excitement because they know this is something THEY can do. The magic was in the way they all bent their heads and got to work so quickly. The magic was in knowing I had reached them – I had their attention and their interest.
Funnily enough, their increased motivation has had an interesting side effect. Now I am motivated, as well. It’s…well… magical!
Christine Moore currently holds a degree from Howard Payne University and recently earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She is now working on her Ph.D. in Educational Technology. Married with four children who attend Brownwood schools, Christine teaches 6th grade reading in Brownwood and has been working in education at various levels for the past 15 years. Christine welcomes your questions and comments and would love to hear from you!
