Those of you who don't live in a small town may not understand this, but homecoming in a rural community is kind of a big deal. Every school, from our primary (K-2) building to our high school has its own spirit days each with a different theme. The whole town seems to shut down for a parade. There are multiple class reunions every year at the game. Like I said, kind of a big deal. As a high school student, I loved homecoming week. Then I became a teacher. The "spirit days" I enjoyed as a student tend to bring management nightmares and headaches. I may sound like a buzz-kill, but you try competing for attention with a giant sombrero on hat day, light up toe socks on crazy sock day, or growling bear foot slippers on pajama day and see how you feel.
After 8 years of being a homecoming week Grinch (I only participated in pajama day because it was an excuse to wear comfortable pants - which I discovered too late to have a hole in the crotch.), my perspective on the pageantry, excitement, and fervor surrounding it has suddenly been reversed. This reversal is all because of my students. Yes, those same students who wear outrageous hats, socks, and pajamas all week.
Two weekends ago I called my colleague and partner in crazy teaching ideas, Jackie Cattron (check out her blog here), and told her that I had an idea that was either brilliant or absolutely insane. The idea was to have our students create a news report about homecoming in a small town as a part of our unit on types of communities. To be completely honest, I was hoping she would talk me out of it. Unfortunately, Jackie being the creative and fun-loving teacher she is, I was not discouraged from our conversation. Instead we immediately came up with a plan and were at school early the next Monday to get approval from our principal and director of technology. Once our plan was approved, we realized the gigantic task we had just decided to undertake.
After hours of planning, teaching the research process, practice interviews, and composing questions, the big week came. Softball players and other high school students came and talked to our classes at school, allowing students to ask what can only be described as "interesting" questions. We owe an enormous amount of gratitude to the activities director, coaches, and students who were gracious with their time.
Then, on the actual day of homecoming, several students and parents from both of our classes met us first at the parade and then at the game to film, take pictures, and conduct first person interviews about homecoming. This is the day my perspective on homecoming was changed. I watched as roughly two dozen 8 and 9 year olds became investigative journalists, photographers, and film-makers. They politely asked for interviews or pictures. They searched for artistic shots. They filmed on-field injuries ("We got the whole injury on our iPad!") and touchdowns. One student from Miss Cattron's class even used every bit as much skill as a seasoned reporter to make his way in front of all the high school students to film the homecoming coronation at half time, telling the much older students that his teacher told him to get it on video.
While watching (nervously) all of these students walking around and using their iPads to capture the event I realized two things. First, a small town homecoming is truly special. The people were more than happy to talk to our kids. The excitement and pride in the air as our Pleasant Hill Roosters demolished the opponent was electrifying. A whole town, which incidentally had been rocked by tragedy more than once in the past weeks, came together to celebrate community. As annoying as spirit days might seem to a teacher, I can't deny the power and importance of homecoming. Second, I realized that these students were not only learning, but they were excited about it. In fact, they were learning without realizing they were learning - which is something every teacher strives to achieve. I'm not sure when it hit me - it was either when I saw a miniature row of photographers on the sidelines capturing the band at halftime or when the students took their press privileges to the next level and took pictures of (and with!) the homecoming queen and her court* - but I suddenly realized that the students weren't the only ones excited. I was too.
I told my colleague, Miss Cattron, as we left the stadium that we very well may have just created a spark in one of those students. One of those eager young film-makers might grow up to be an investigative reporter or a photographer or a director. In the coming days, as we edit the movies, some 3rd grader might decide that he or she wants to grow up to be a sound or video technician. Last night will be one of the most memorable nights of my career. Last night, I was fortunate to watch a group of students experience an exciting, authentic learning experience that they will hopefully always remember. And that, I'm pretty sure, is yet another reason why I teach.
*The students kind of went rogue with the whole homecoming queen business. We tried to ask permission of one or two of the girls to take their pictures. All of a sudden, around 15 to 20 third graders were not just taking pictures, but also posing with the queen and all the other homecoming court...and their families. It was one of several moments during the night that I thought we would get kicked off the field!
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