So Is This What Differentiated Learning Is?

Last week, I was meeting with a group of my readers. It is a group of 3 girls who are quite intelligent and very inquisitive. They think deeply and love to investigate what they are reading about.

They are currently reading a book about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. On this particular day, they had read about Harriet Tubman getting married. It said something about Harriet Tubman jumping over a broom to symbolize their union as a couple. One student had written in her journal that it was confusing that they just jumped over a broom and "BAM, they were married". She was confused and wanted to learn more. So, we talked about different wedding traditions. Hannah said that she thought it mean that "two become one" as TWO people jumped over ONE broom.

I read that it was just a tradition deeply rooted in the slave culture. Hannah said she liked her idea better. FUNNY!

It gets better. Then, they said that it wasn't like weddings nowadays because now it takes about 5 days to plan a wedding and for them they just quickly decided. (HA HA- 5 days! :)) They asked how long it was taking me to plan my wedding. I told them "about a year". Deeper and deeper into the conversation we go. They said that getting married means that you have babies. They asked if I wanted to have kids. Hannah remarks that she doesn't want to have kids because it would probably hurt. I told her that there was special medicine that you can get so it makes your body numb and tingly so you don't have to feel it as much....

Then... I realized this was ALL so beyond the point. Yes, they were curious... but this conversation needed to end before they we began talking about more than I bargained for. These kids are so inquisitive how can you possibly cut them off? But, I realize... this kind of differentiation walks a fine line... YIKES!

Sleepovers

A few weeks ago, Jonny (my fiance) happened to come to class with me on Friday. As tradition goes in our classroom, we have a class meeting every Friday before my beginning track students go home. Everyone shares something they want to say. My kids went around and shared their thoughts. Jonny loves to chime in and he said that he was "excited to have a delicious breakfast with Ms. Berg". (We had plans to go to Kneaders for breakfast on Saturday. They have the most delicious french toast EVER!)

Anyway, a minute goes by and Kyle raises his hand. He says, "Why does Jonny get to sleep over at your house? You're not married." I quickly retorted, "He's not. He's staying at his sister's house."

Then, I quickly changed the subject before anymore awkward conversations arose.