They’re not clueless, they’re just young
August 20th, 2008 by 
caikeda
Have you ever been in class and referred to something that to you is a “modern” reference and the students give you that glassy, blank look? It could be that they’re not paying attention, or it could be that they’re just too young to get it.
Take 9/11. It is as significant an event to our generation as the assassination of John F. Kennedy was to the former generation. We all know where we were and what we were doing on 9/11/01. But for our students, they were 4, 5 and 6 years old. When I visited New York last March with my 5th grader, I had to explain 9/11. It was a strange feeling to try and explain that as we’re standing at ground zero.
Our 8th graders were born in 1995 and our 6th graders were born in 1997. Some of us have been teaching longer than these kids have been alive, and some of us were actually in middle school when these kids were born. Our world changes so quickly that it is just a wonderful and dynamic time to be teaching! Kids make meaning by attaching their prior knowledge and experiences to the new information, so it’s always interesting to get a perspective of what they know. Next time when you get that “look,” don’t be discouraged. They’re just waiting to learn. 
Some events to refresh your memory:
1995 (8th graders): O.J. Simpson’s criminal trial opens (1/24) not guilty (10/3); Timothy McVeigh blows up the Oklahoma City Federal Building (4/19); Academy Award for best picture goes to Forrest Gump; UK scientists clone the first sheep.
1996 (7th graders): “Mad cow” disease hits UK; FBI arrests Unabomber (4/3); World Series – NY Yankees defeat Atlanta Braves; HDTV unveiled; Tupac Shakur shot in a drive-by and dies six days later; approximately 45 million people are using the internet; Academy Award for best picture goes to Braveheart; scientist believe there’s life on Mars.
1997 (6th graders): Hong Kong returns to Chinese rule (6/30); Heaven’s Gate cult members commit mass suicide in California (3/27); J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter book published in UK, comes to America in 98.
Posted in Ideas for teachers | 
1 Comment »
August 26th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Thanks Cathy. I agree. 7th graders can be so silly and just getting them to
Think sometimes is more than challlenging. Interviewing family members,
Especially grand/great grand really is an eye opener for them.
Having them do that has a big impact for some…reality from someone so close.
At the funeral, Erin immediately said to me,
“ Mrs. Wright I understand now why you had us do those stories and interviews.
I interviewed my grandma who then died suddenly and that’s all I had besides
the cross she gave me. I’m glad I did Mom too. I did not expect this. It means
much more to me now. Thank you.” She had a beautiful smile and I felt her
Sincerity. She seemed to have grown up so quickly since her 7th grade year.
She was in my advisory and she slowly crawled out of that nautilus shell that year.
I love that girl…..Her mom was supportive and very positive. She passed on
Such inner beauty w/ her children. Erin is extremely a gem to behold. Ipo