My Favorite Lessons

I really do try my best to plan worthwhile lessons for my students. Sometimes I hit the nail on the head and we have a great time while they learn something new; other times I miss completely and feel like I want to run away. Most days land somewhere in the middle. But my favorite lessons are the ones when I get to throw the plan out the window because by some twist of fate I only have 1 or 2 students. This usually only happens in my community group or one section of my 3 graders. During these lessons we really just sit, talk, and basically hang out. We talk about whatever comes up, and whatever is interesting at that particular moment in time.

I had such a lesson on Monday. For my community tutoring lesson I usually have three second graders from one of the other local high schools. They are a really fun group, and I enjoy spending time with them. For first time, I only had one student show up, Mariusz. We chatted for a half an hour, and then we decided that no one else was coming. I said we could go home if he wanted. He then said he had nothing better to do and would rather stay and talk. I was extremely excited about this! We spent the next hour talking about very random things from driving lessons to monster trux to funny things teachers do to misbehaving students. It was a really great time. It was great to have a natural conversation with him, and he did a great job speaking. I think it's safe to say that this was one of my favorite lessons of the year.

If I knew I could walk into every class without a plan and just have a successful, natural discussion I totally would. But that is unrealistic, irresponsible, and slightly dangerous. So alas, I will continue to plan real lessons, but secretly hoping for the days that I can throw them out the window and just talk.

Blessings,
Colleen