Igniting A Fire

I'm blogging today from a borrowed computer at an unfamiliar school in a classroom I have never been in before.  As a substitute teacher, this is my life.  When I get my call each day, I know I will face the morning with some degree of mystery.  Usually I have information pertaining to grade level, teacher's name, school, etc.  I know that I will work within the districts prescribed curriculum for Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Spelling.

The most important information, that I don't have, is about how the day will FEEL.  Will my kids be well behaved or wild?  Will the teacher be organized or will I spend tons of time finding manuals and worksheets? Will the other faculty and staff be welcoming or frigid?  Because I rotate between 30 elementaries, 4 middle schools, and 4 high schools, I really never know what I am going to get.  Today was a happy surprise.  I am working in an upper elementary classroom...they are well behaved....they switch classes...and I am subbing for the reading teacher!  Yay!  But, even so I got more than I bargained for when I saw what the text was for today.

The selection that I get to read with 3 different classes today is a piece about the words of Abraham Lincoln. The "Essential Question" (which is the theme for the story) is, "How can words lead to change?"  While this may not do much for YOU, after teaching this story twice this morning, I have a fire in my belly. How.Can.Words.Lead.To.Change. Words change things.  They alter history.  They reshape minds.  They redirect the paths of our souls.

I love to hear the passion and the conviction that leaves my lips as I try to impress upon these 10 year olds just how powerful words can be.  Not just words...beautiful words...descriptive words...gloriously detailed words.  I explain that what could be said as a flat fact comes ALIVE when you use the right words.  I feel like a preacher when I speak of the wonder of words.  I want them to know and understand the sheer magnitude of the syllables that come from their mouths or fall from their pens.  I want them to join me in the pursuit of ideas, dreams, and soulful ideals through the medium of language.

What I love most of all is what I see when they are listening to my sermon on the power of words.  Yes, I look out and see boys doodling dragons or girls giggling with their friends.  BUT...in a few pairs of sparkling eyes I see it.  They are with me.  They understand what I am trying to express.  They want in on the mystery of powerful language. .

These kiddos will be creators, innovators, and world changers...maybe not on a grand scale...but by some measure they will use words to influence the lives of others.  THIS!  This is why I became an educator.  WORDS!  I have a writers soul and I want to stir up the possibilities in other young ones.  Words in science, math, literature, homemaking, relationships, faith, community, dry wall hanging, the minutiae of the everyday are what informs our inner being about what we think, how we feel, and what we wish.  I realize I didn't "inspire" a child to greatness or change a life today...this isn't my first day...but to be one of the many people who spoke sparks into the fire of their hearts is an honor...even if it's just for today.

NOTE:  THE CLASS WAS AT LIBRARY WHEN I WROTE THIS...I DID NOT NEGLECT A CLASS FULL OF CHILDREN TO BLOG...I PROMISE!