Tough Stuff
I’m starting something new in my advisory (a group of sixth grade boys that I build into every day) called Tough Stuff. Basically, I asked them yesterday to think about some really hard questions … things that adults don’t like to talk about. Here’s a taste of what they came up with:
Why do people do things when they know it’s bad?
Why Spanish?
I heard that the Bible says music is only for God and worship. Is it true?
Should we be scared of the 2nd coming of the Lord (apocalypse)?
Why did God make animals that can hurt us?
Why would God make other planets and universes and have nothing living there (or at least not that we know of)?
Why do people take the easy way?
Why isn’t cooking in the curriculum?
Why do Islams kill people?
Why do parents and adults always think they know how we feel?
Why did God make us and the earth?
What is an easy way to include people?
Why do movie stars always end up corrupted drugees?
If killing is against the 10 commandments, why are Christians in the army?
Do we absolutely need to do every assignment?
What is laughter and why did God give us it?
Why is this called a Christian school when if you look around it doesn’t seem like it?
This is serious … would getting shot or getting your head cut off be painful? Just wondering.
There’s a girl that I like, and she likes me too, and kids are teasing me. How should I handle it?
Why do adults have power over kids, why can’t we have our own decisions?
So interesting … and sobering. We’re gonna work through these questions, one at a time, for the next two months. And I’m really excited about teaching them, learning from them, and shining light on some dark places. What a sweet opportunity!
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:45 am EST
Got another one, but I’m not in 6th grade.
Why are there questions that seem to have no good answers?
Are you sure you are up to this? If you find the answers, let us know. Each one would probably make an interesting post by itself.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 pm EST
Lance - I have a strong feeling that they know the answers to these questions beneath the surface, and if you are able to ask them pointed questions back they’ll come up with them on their own. I think you ought to try to answer each question with another loaded/leading/thought-provoking, or complimentary question relating to the first. For example, “Why do parents and adults always think they know how we feel?” might lead you to ask them about how they want to respond differently to children when they are older. Then, ask them how they respond when their younger siblings bug them. Or “Do we absolutely need to do every assignment?” leads me to want to ask about whether they think that if you say “yes” infringes on their free-will, or do they still have free-will but the choices they make make have ill consequences. Then again, maybe these questions take you so deep in the pool you drown. GL!
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:20 pm EST
Good points, Matt. I’m sure lots of our discussions will go the Socratic route. At this point, we’ve developed a pretty sweet rapport … trust is there, and most of the kids are genuinely excited to dive in.
I think I’ll set up something cool … like secretly take them into the furnace room and talk with only the light of a candle. Top secret, Dead Poets style … something that’ll make the conversations resonate for years to come.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:49 am EST
Sounds like good stuff. Isn’t it sobering how serious some of the questions “kids” have running around in their heads.
Also interesting to see a few of the questions that have to do with things they probably overhear at home - the stuff about “Islams” and music. They really are taking it all in…
April 4th, 2008 at 10:57 am EST
Please don’t be like this guy.