Enunciation Matters ...

Atticus Finch, in To Kill a Mockingbird, explains, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”  True enough.  Sometimes, though, we can first start by really listening … or enunciating. 

I’m gearing up to read my favorite book, Lee’s only published novel, with my sophomores next week.  I absolutely love this book for so many reasons and was gathering copies this morning to be prepared for Monday.  While doing that, I remembered something from last year when using this book in my 8^th grade classes.

A week or two prior to starting Mockingbird a year ago, I started talking with the kids about it.  I’d drop one-liners from time to time.

 “We’re starting To Kill a Mockingbird next week.”

“We start my favorite book, To Kill a Mockingbird, on Monday!”

“You’re going to LOVE To Kill a Mockingbird!”

“Monday, when we start To Kill a Mockingbird, will be the first day of the rest of our lives!!!!”

Well, “Monday” finally came.  I stood before the class with a stack of novels and explained that we were about to embark on an amazing journey.  We’d never be the same again.  It was a hard book, for their age level, due to some of the historical references in the opening chapter and the content, but I was going to be there with them every step of the way.  First, though, I explained that we needed to learn a bit about the history of the time.  The Great Depression.  Jim Crow laws.  The case of the Scottsboro boys. 

At that point, I noticed the students, who looked excited at the start, seemed very confused.  Some even started looking around the room, scowls on their faces.

Huh…?

I paused and looked at them.  Something wasn’t quite right.

“What?” I asked. 

One of the girls raised her hand, “What did you say the book’s called?”

“To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Confused looks.

“What is the book about?” the girl asked.

I gave them a glimpse into the genius of Lee; even more students looked confused.

Again, I asked, “What?  What’s going on?”

One of the girls raised her hand and said, “Oh, my gosh ….  I told my mom we were reading a book about tequila.” 

“WHAT?!!!!!!!!!”

One of the boys raised his hand and added, “I did, too.  Well, actually, I told my dad.”

“WHAT?!!!!!!!!  You ….  You told your parents we were reading a book about … TEQUILA?!”

Various students sat before me, nodding their heads.

:o

Tokilla ….  Tequila ….

Have mercy! 

Oh, I was definitely right when I said we’d not be the same again!  Well, I’ve not been the same since that particular Monday when my career flashed before my eyes!   

Note to self … enunciate, enunciate, enunciate!

Copyright 2013 -> Shannon