That Explains A Lot

October 8, 2009

Yesterday in my senior class we were having a discussion about the day's journal topic. We were discussing whether or not the kids think there's ever any justifiable reason to break the law. As I expected, the students came up with lots of examples of instances they felt like a person should be exempt from the law, due to self-defense, damage of property, or a variety of other situational events whereby one might be able to 'bend' the letter of the law.

I love to try and include as many people as possible in our class discussions, especially those who don't always readily volunteer. I was especially excited, then, when one of my students raised his hand who rarely participates in any way--doesn't do homework, or classwork, or join in the conversations that we engage in. "Great!" I said, as I called on him. "What did YOU think about today's topic? Do you ever think it's okay to break a law?"

He closed his eyes, and drew in a long, deep breath. Suddenly, he slammed his hands down on his desk and emphatically bellowed, "YES! IF I DON'T SMOKE WEED EVERY DAY, I'LL DIE!" The entire class erupted in laughter, but then they realized he was dead serious. "Plus, I actually drive a lot better when I'm drunk, so that should be okay, too." Not a trace of irony or humor in his voice. The other students were dumbstruck for a few moments before I ungracefully attempted to guide the discussion in another direction.

If I didn't know his personality, I would have thought he was saying this just for shock value, or to make everyone else laugh. But no--the astonishing thing about the whole incident was that he truly seemed to believe the words he was speaking.

I think his counselor and I might be getting together to chat a lot sooner than I had anticipated this year. At least before I get behind the wheel with my kids in tow while he's out on the road.

At any rate, his 'extra-curricular' interests certainly do explain a lot about his motivation in the classroom.