My second graders taught me a valuable lesson this week. Technology isn’t everything. I have one class using Google Classroom so I assigned them a writing piece about their second grade memories. Since their google account will stay with them through their years in the district I thought it would be an interesting document for them to look back on over the years.
My other classes haven’t started using their google accounts, but I thought they could do the assignment using MS word and they would still have something to look back on in sixth grade.
As luck would have it, my computers didn’t want to cooperate yesterday and one of my darling kiddos said, “I think it would be better to be in our own writing anyway so we can see how we used to write.” Several others agreed so I grabbed an assortment of paper, passed out pencils and crayons and they set to work. You know what? She was so right! The handwritten pieces are so much more interesting than the google docs. They’re more personal and thoughtful, and some even included illustrations. I can’t wait for them to be in sixth grade so we can bring these pages out and reflect on them. I used the website FutureMe to write myself an email reminding me of these writing pieces and scheduled it to be delivered when the kids will be in sixth grade. (If you haven’t heard of FutureMe, check it out. It’s a great tool to send yourself a future reminder.)
Here are just a few of their pieces.
Aren’t they adorable? I am so grateful that the technology failed. And grateful for the wisdom of an innocent 7 year old.
Once Upon a Page 