Today we did an Earthquake Drill at school in honor of the Utah Shakeout. It was announced that we would be doing the drill and then evacuating the building for a fire drill. A sweet student came up to me before class and asked if she could stay inside during the drill because it scared her. I could see the fear in her eyes, but I told her I couldn't leave anyone behind for the drill. I did, however, ask her to wait and be the last one out of the door with me.
As the pretend earthquake started, picture 30 8th graders screaming and running for cover. Don't ask me how running was involved when all they needed to do was get under their desk, but some sure managed to include it in the chaos. It was so loud, I could hardly hear the announcement saying that the earthquake had ended. Was the loudness necessary? No. Was it fun for a group of 13 year-olds? You bet. Were they taking this seriously? Ha! You've got to be kidding!!
Amidst the chaos, I took a moment to watch my scared student. As the fire alarm went off, I could see her sitting in her desk, closing her eyes and plugging her ears. It definitely tugged at my heart to see her so scared. We left the building and while we were leaving the school grounds I asked her how she was doing. She said she was ok and I asked which part of the drill scared her and why it would have helped to stay inside with all the noise. She went on to tell me that seeing everybody leaving the school in a crowd reminds her of an actual earthquake she had experienced.
This student lived in Japan during the big Tsunami they had about a year ago. While her town was not affected by the ocean waves, they did feel the earthquake in a major way. She remembers being on the 4th floor of her school when it happened and how scared she and everybody else around her felt. After that, earthquake drills were taken much more seriously by everybody. Even the boys! I was so touched by her story, I asked if she would feel comfortable relating it the the class when the drill was over. She agreed and WOW, you could hear a pin drop in that classroom, they were so fixated on her story.
This is one of those moments that reminds me of why I love being a teacher. I learn so much from my students. This girl went from terrified to courageous as she explained why something as simple as an earthquake drill should be taken seriously, because when it happens for real, you don't want to waste time wondering what you should be doing. Earthquakes are real and they happen when you least expect it. People lose their lives in the tragedy, their homes, their security. Usually, when I hear of natural disasters in a far away place, I just shrug it off. It didn't affect me, so why go there. I feel bad that it happened, but it's easier to not dwell on it. Today, it hit a little closer to home. I still don't like thinking about it, but we need to in order to be prepared. It's hard to imagine that so much destruction can happen in almost an instant. How do you prepare for something that destroys EVERYTHING??? We're due for an earthquake in who knows how many decades, years, months? What things would you do to prepare?
As the pretend earthquake started, picture 30 8th graders screaming and running for cover. Don't ask me how running was involved when all they needed to do was get under their desk, but some sure managed to include it in the chaos. It was so loud, I could hardly hear the announcement saying that the earthquake had ended. Was the loudness necessary? No. Was it fun for a group of 13 year-olds? You bet. Were they taking this seriously? Ha! You've got to be kidding!!
Amidst the chaos, I took a moment to watch my scared student. As the fire alarm went off, I could see her sitting in her desk, closing her eyes and plugging her ears. It definitely tugged at my heart to see her so scared. We left the building and while we were leaving the school grounds I asked her how she was doing. She said she was ok and I asked which part of the drill scared her and why it would have helped to stay inside with all the noise. She went on to tell me that seeing everybody leaving the school in a crowd reminds her of an actual earthquake she had experienced.
This student lived in Japan during the big Tsunami they had about a year ago. While her town was not affected by the ocean waves, they did feel the earthquake in a major way. She remembers being on the 4th floor of her school when it happened and how scared she and everybody else around her felt. After that, earthquake drills were taken much more seriously by everybody. Even the boys! I was so touched by her story, I asked if she would feel comfortable relating it the the class when the drill was over. She agreed and WOW, you could hear a pin drop in that classroom, they were so fixated on her story.
This is one of those moments that reminds me of why I love being a teacher. I learn so much from my students. This girl went from terrified to courageous as she explained why something as simple as an earthquake drill should be taken seriously, because when it happens for real, you don't want to waste time wondering what you should be doing. Earthquakes are real and they happen when you least expect it. People lose their lives in the tragedy, their homes, their security. Usually, when I hear of natural disasters in a far away place, I just shrug it off. It didn't affect me, so why go there. I feel bad that it happened, but it's easier to not dwell on it. Today, it hit a little closer to home. I still don't like thinking about it, but we need to in order to be prepared. It's hard to imagine that so much destruction can happen in almost an instant. How do you prepare for something that destroys EVERYTHING??? We're due for an earthquake in who knows how many decades, years, months? What things would you do to prepare?
1 comment:
Good job, Erinn! There, and here. :)
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