Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Winding Down - Not!

As a teacher I hear this phrase every year in May or June. Someone asks a question or makes a statement and assumes that things must be slowing down or wrapping up at school.

My experience is exactly the opposite. We wind up at the end of the year. I always run out of time, I have half a dozen great projects that I just can't get finished, curriculum topics I really wanted to teach, experiences I want the students to have. I end up packing as much into these last days as I possibly can.

It's like a runner pushing to the finish line who puts everything into the final sprint just to collapse once they're past it.

I also get those people who say, "You just watch videos in those last weeks anyway." The worst part is, that I am watching all kinds of videos!

We've watched John Wycliffe translate the scripture, John Hus burned at the stake for challenging the church, Michael Sattler executed for being an Anabaptist, learned about the controversy surrounding Michael Servetus' execution in Geneva under John Calvin, followed Tyndale being betrayed for translating scripture into English, and been inspired by the excellent movie Luther all to understand the Reformation.

In Bible class we've been contrasting video versions of scripture with the written text by watching VeggieTales as well as the Gospel of John. Then we've had students create their own video presentations to demonstrate their learning.

I can see the finish line just ahead, now for the final push!