I responded in a comment that I should post this story, so here I am, posting it.
When I was teaching fifth grade, my students had a knack for getting me off topic. This particular science lesson, I was following a rabbit trail, discussing genetics as it related to the human genome project and Genesis. I completely forgot that I was dealing with ten-year-olds who might not yet have had "the talk" with their parents.
So at one point I said, "You all know you get some of your genes from your mom and some from your dad, right?" A few nodded, most looked blank (as they were wont to do when I went down rabbit trails).
One student, however, piped up, "Hey, wait. If your mom is the one that has you, how do your dad's genes get in you?"
Oops. While I floundered for the appropriate response, I was saved by one student who apparently had had "the talk."
He turned around to the questioner with a very serious look on his face and said, "You don't want to know. It's horrifying."
I took that opportunity to go back to the actual lesson.
1 year ago
4 comments:
hey jen. great story! amanda had a good laugh. it was good to hear from you. our Mandarin isn't faring much better. it's quite a difficult language. but we're managing to survive. hands signals and a big grin work miracles! hope all is well. say hi to joe and the dogs for us! love dan and amanda
ha ha, that is a crack up. Miss you guys, hope you are well. Hope to see you soon
I loved this story! I actually used it in my university sociology class today, when we were discussing socialization and where kids learn about sex and sexualities. It provided a great moment of comic relief - not to mention leading into an interesting discussion of just what the students had learned from their elementary school classmates! Thanks!!!
Jean
Glad you all liked it. Atkins y Spears, we miss you all too!
Jean, I feel almost famous. LOL
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