Disappointing my students
The 3rd grade science curriculum requires several animals for studying life sciences. The delivery dates of crayfish and bess beetles were set. My class got ready for the animals a few days before delivery. They set up the habitats and we discussed the organisms.
Then things went downhill. The day before the crayfish were to be delivered I got an e-mail from the district.
Apparently there was a problem with getting crayfish and they couldn’t be delivered.
My principal authorized me to buy some. I called several bait stores and pet shops and discovered that crayfish are banned in Arizona.
Apparently there are too many in our lakes so they are not allowed to be sold or transported. Even if you catch them in the wild, you can’t transport them away from the lake alive.
I freaked out thinking about telling my kids the crayfish weren’t coming after all of their hard work setting things up. And I was right to feel bad. My kids were really disappointed when I told them.
They came in that morning excitedly asking where the crayfish were. I broke the bad news to the class first thing and they were subdued all day.
It’s not fun to disappoint your students. But being frank and truthful is the best approach to dealing with bad news.
Collaboration rocks
Sometimes great things come out of frustrating situations. My colleagues saved the day with their helpful advice and generosity.
I spoke with my friend Ms. Bloom about the life science standards. She explained that if my students could study the structures, behaviors, and adaptations of animals, we would meet the standards.
So I decided to find another animal to study.
A wonderful fifth grade teacher offered to loan my class her turtle to study. She even moved the tank to my room.
Later, my principal offered to buy hermit crabs. I’m taking her offer and my students will research and compare the needs of hermit crabs to the needs of the turtle.
What a wonderful community of educators I work with. I’m not isolated in my classroom. There are so many fantastic people in this with me. They care about me, my students, and the curriculum. I am so grateful to be a part of this profession.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
That might be a great opportunity to do a lesson on invasive species and why you aren’t allowed to use the crayfish. You could even expand it to include threatened animals and what restrictions are placed on them.
This is such a neat story! I really enjoyed reading about how your community of educators came together to help out a fellow teacher. I think it is great to form these networks so we CAN help each other out.
People should read this.
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