I sit here to write this post as my 4th graders play games online in Spanish that I have linked to our class website. They are so engaged so I thought I would take this time to write about them and be engaged myself. It seems to be a good time to reflect. They are so funny and we so excited today to play. We never really get to sit and play games like this because I prefer to be talking and engaging them with Spanish that is usually coming out of my mouth or theirs, or reading, writing, singing…we are always doing something that makes a lot of noise. Today we have a small class because there are some students making up some tests. I was going to teach a new concept today, but with students missing, I can do it next time.
Today they are quiet, so quiet. I am not accustomed to this quiet. They are on their own to play any game in Spanish that they want to play. Here is the one they are obsessed with: BURRITO BUILDER
It is strange for me to sit here and not talk with them. I actually do not like it. It is weird for me. I feel like I am doing something wrong by letting them just sit and learn on their own from games I linked for me. Isn’t that weird? I am usually engaging with them for 30 minutes straight and now we have been quietly engaged in a whole new way for 30 minutes straight. It is a good day, but I still feel guilty as if I am not doing my job. Maybe some day this quiet will feel right…I can see they enjoyed it. When I stopped class they all said, NO! and did not want to leave…they hardly listened to me when I spoke and said it was time to go. I had to tell them a few times they had to leave because 5th grade was about to come. My darling digital natives! Some of them still had their computers open and working on their games as they left through the door.
Here they are…no one said a word
Be the change... 
Sometimes the teacher has to step back!
Savor the moment!
(P.S. -I’m jealous that you could post from class…)
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You are so right . Thanks so much for always reading. Why can’t you post from class?
I am not sure that I am allowed to or not…but none of my students would even look up from their computer so I figured I might as well make good use of my time. 🙂
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I think quiet is a good thing. We need more quiet and peace in our lives. I love how into the games they were. Way to go for being a good teacher, allowing them to use technology and recognizing when they needed a change. Tell those rippers hi for me!
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I love you Laura. Thanks for reading. I was just talking about you today to two of the 7th grade girls and telling them how much I miss you and what a great friend you are to me.
The peace and quiet was good today. Really really good.
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