Have you heard of Nellie Bly?
Eighth grade English. The students were reading chapter 4 from her book Ten Days in the Madhouse. They have a textbook that contains various readings, and the current unit is on suspense.
Because eighth graders, I decided it would be a good idea to give them a little context. Each reading has an introduction, so we read that, and then I went about explaining (just a bit) about who she was.
Only, it turned out that was unnecessary.
Often, I'm surprised at what they don't know. This time, I was surprised by what they did.
Upon further questioning, I gleaned that last school year they had had a project where they researched a historical figure. Some of them chose Nellie Bly. They had to do a presentation. Some of them remembered seeing a classmate's presentation on her.
It was only two or three students each class who remembered. But that was two or three more students than I expected.
After all you go through, it's nice to have surprises like that.
ReplyDeleteI don't write about the good days too often. This... wasn't. They were 8th graders. 8th graders gonna 8th grade.
DeleteI had never heard of Nellie Bly. I had to took her up. Now I have learned something new :).
ReplyDeleteI almost wrote a quick bio for the post, but I realized that the link I gave did a much better job than I would have.
DeleteWow, students remembering something they learned in school. I guess there's a first time for everything.
ReplyDeleteOh Nellie! I wished things I had learned in school, MANY, MANY years ago would come back to this slow brain.
ReplyDeleteThey're there. They're just not as accessible as they once were ;)
DeleteGreat blog
ReplyDeletePlease read my post
ReplyDeleteHurrah, for good surprises! I bought a paperback bio on Nellie Bly in fifth grade. I wanted to be her!
ReplyDeleteThat is rather a nice surprise. :D
ReplyDeleteThe things they know surprise me sometimes.
Delete