Today, I divided up dum-dums and let my students pick one. Those students picking the 'mystery flavor' dum-dum were executed. Oh, the horror on their faces was palpable when they realized the consequences.
While the dum-dum's were quite real, no one was executed. We merely illustrated the results of the Mier Expedition into Mexico in 1842. Texan soldiers captured after an attack on Mier were imprisoned, then marched in single file to choose a bean from a bag. Those choosing black were executed. 1 in 10 met their untimely demise at random, and by order of Santa Anna. Survivors enjoyed a year in a Mexican jail, then were released in 1844.
I've been trying to find balance with my classes. We scored rather low on our district benchmark, and we need to find the proper balance to improve our scores. Candy isn't the answer, but excitement for our work can, and should be.
Perhaps, I can tap into some of my students inner competitive spirit to achieve better. I don't judge my students by their scores. But, I can change for the better because I need to improve as well.
Peace
"Gone are the days when a quiet classroom was equated with a good one."
- Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey
