#WHYITEACH ~ Part Two

Have you ever said yes to something, and then wonder, "What in the world did I just do?"

I agreed to let our high school newspaper write an article about book clubs in my classroom.  A student reporter asked to come and observe the book clubs in action and ask me and my students some questions.

Here is where I say yes.

Only one of my classes fits into her schedule.  The class with the most behavior problems.  The class where reading is not their favorite thing to do.  The class where reading is not the easiest thing for them to do.

Here is where I wonder what in the world did I do.

I had prepped my students yesterday by telling them we were having a visitor and why she was coming. Today they walk in, find their seats, and see her sitting in the back of the classroom.  I teach my mini-lesson about looking for critical scenes and jotting those down on sticky notes in order to prepare for Discussion Day.

Then I send them off to their groups.

Here is where I hold my breath.

I quickly scan the groups and see which one I want to go to first.  And then I hear it. The buzz.  The buzz of students discussing their books.  The buzz of enthusiasm over reading.

This continues for 15 minutes, and I ask them to return to their seats for questions from the reporter.

The first question is, "What was your favorite part of book clubs?"  

Hand after hand goes up into the air.  They tell her how much fun it is to read with their friends, and how reading these books pushes them as readers, and how reading makes them think about things in different ways.

And here is where I smile.

When I carry that passion and enthusiasm for reading into my classroom each day, magic happens.  And I was able to see that magic happen today...in an unexpected class.

That is why I teach.