Like a Deer in Headlights

If I walked into class with my 7th or 6th graders and announced an art project, they probably wouldn't think it were odd at all. They are used to my style of teaching. Familiar with me and what I am capable of. On the other hand, the 8th graders are certainly not. Now I generally dread walking into that class. I'm not used to 8th grade yet and they aren't used to me so it isn't a comfortable medium. I don't feel at ease and I thank my lucky stars that several days a week, I have a prep before I teach 8th grade. Time to prepare!

So today, I think it hit them that I'm going to be a bit different. I taught them about imagery. They picked out phrases from the story we were reading and I typed them on the laptop (which I project, aren't I technologically advanced?) Then, with all these phrases in front of us, I asked them to draw me a picture of Mrs. Flowers, the main character. I'm not sure they knew what to do. 8th graders drawing pictures in Language Arts? It was amusing, really. I think they realize now that I'm not going to hand them worksheets and watch them do it. I'm going to make them see things, with their hands, being creative, being different. It was a beautiful thing!