Stepping on Toes...

It certainly wasn't intentional... The whole thing, which isn't really a thing, started as I was researching to reform a previously written unit. I was adding titles of short stories to a unit where my 7th graders learn the basics of literature. In order to hold the interest of 7th graders, I needed stories with a bang, so to speak. The first story I added was Roald Dahl's Lamb to the Slaughter. The kids loved the ironic twist and the sadistic Mary Maloney.

The toe-stepping occurred when I selected a short story I read when I found out Kurt Vonnegut admired it. I knew it would be a challenge for 7th graders, having been written in the 1880's, but I couldn't deny them An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. The sensory imagery was so shocking and informative everyone in the classroom listened in a stunned silence. It was as if we were fighting the current in the creek, dodging the shots of Union soldiers from the bridge above; all while swirling in the current, oscillating in the waters. I didn't know until one of my 7th graders, a sibling of a senior told me, sections of the senior class had just finished reading the same story.

The day I found out, I was experiencing some serious guilt. It's difficult to explain... I suppose non-teachers wouldn't understand... even Science and Math teachers would struggle to understand... You might like it if a teacher 'before" you covers your material. You would probably appreciate it... but we English teachers... we like the glory... we like to be the ones who introduce amazing literature all on our own. We like the faces of the students, the awed comments after reading... it makes every thing worth it... that moment... those follow up conversations. I stole that from someone by using the story five years before its time. This realization opened another can of worms for me to contemplate.

Had I expected too much from my 7th graders? Did I share with them something too sophisticated for thirteen year olds? Too socially mature?

No.

They got it. A writing assignment, aimed at nuances in the text proved to me they understood more than I gave them credit for.

They told me things like "I could feel the bullet lodged between my collarbone and shoulder, MC. When you read that part- I couldn't help it. I put my hand on my neck."

And " It seems like Peyton needed to forget about his real life while he was waiting to be hanged. If that were me, I'd probably make up a day dream too."

Their comments didn't stun me... I knew they could do it. I expected them to. I wasn't thinking the story might be too much for them. This thought didn't occur to me until I heard about the seniors. Kids are surprising. I love that part of my job. I know now not to sell them short, not to omit something because it might be too difficult, too complicated. With some modeling and scaffolds in place- just in case- these kids can do it.

I don't feel guilty anymore... more like hopeful. This is just a jumping off point, no more literary limits. I have a new mantra.