an insight

In class today, we were taking notes on an aspect of the senior term paper. So far, my seniors have begun to develop theses, and gather the basics of background information. This week and next week we will be launching into the "evidence-gathering" phase.

AY suddenly says out of the blue, "Hey, Ms. M.... you slick." I respond, "I'm slick? What do you mean by that?" 

I sound a bit offended (I think) so he pulls back a bit, "Well, no, not slick... You're.... (concentrating) helpful, I guess."

I laugh. "How so?"

He seems pleased with himself. He explains, "Well, you be trickin' us into doing things, but then... they are actually helping us when we are doing them."

I've got to give this kid credit -- he may crack more side comments than anyone on Earth, and he needs to get up and walk around more than anyone I've ever met in my life... but he is paying more attention than I realize. That my notes and worksheets aren't meaningless busy work, but are gradually drawing them into a synthesized essay of many facts pointing towards one argument. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he is also sitting through the second "year" of my class -- he has already written a research paper using my hand-holding, step-by-step, ES-approved research paper method. Still, most kids have no clue about the grand Wizard of Oz smokescreen that is teaching--- let alone take a peek behind it.

I can't wait to see his paper.