The day before Thanksgiving I was assigned as a sub to the middle-elementary school (grades 3 & 4) for a half day. I was subbing for the vocal music teacher for two 4th-grade classes, but when I arrived they were just starting their Fall Assembly. So I met the class in the gym bleachers instead of the music room. The presentation was fascinating. A woman of Mohawk heritage gave an engaging presentation in Native American culture, including flute-playing, story-telling, and audience participation in simple signing, a few words from the Mohawk language, chanting, and a game.
Well, by the time the assembly was over, classes had changed, so I met my new class right there in the gym and we proceeded to the music room. The teacher had left a video for them to watch, so I went about setting it up. Got the video loaded in the proper machine, turned on the TV, went to press "Play" and. . .
there was no such button on the VCR player! Found a remote control, but IT had no play button, either. UH-OH! Twenty minutes to fill, and no plan B.
Well, one of the girls had commented on the necklace I was wearing, so I took that as a starting point, and explained a bit about it. It is made of recycled paper by fair-trade organization called BeadforLife, which provides employment to women in Uganda. http://www.beadforlife.org/
That led us into a discussion of poverty and its hardships and varying causes. With the Thanksgiving holiday the next day, I pointed out that when they sat down to their holiday, that they might remember people less fortunate. They opened up and began sharing what they do in their families to help others. Stories about making up Christmas packages for children they didn't know, customs of giving in their extended families and all kinds of involvement. As soon as one student had shared, two more hands cropped up to share their stories. I was impressed with their interest in the topic, their willingness to share their stories, and the thoughtfulness that went into the discussion. Even those who were not participating actively were following closely. Twenty minutes were gone in a flash, and I felt much better about what we accomplished together than about showing a video. I went home uplifted and grateful for the experience.
