In Hiding

Today we read a novel in a day. That novel was Diary of a Young Girl, the Diary of Anne Frank. This technique allows a class to get a grasp on a novel quickly by splitting it into sections and each group reporting on a section.

The 7th grade twist, because there's always a twist, they had to do this while in hiding. Each group had to hide themselves under their desks. We turned off the lights and they had to complete their task while not being discovered. The other teachers got in on the fun by pounding on the door, shining flashlights under the desks, and "arresting" anyone they could see.

After 45 minutes we came out of hiding and talked about the experience. Here's what they had to say:

"Every time the door rattled my heart raced and I started sweating."
"The flashlight passed right over me, but he took someone else. I was so relieved."
"Every time someone came in, we huddled closer together, determined no one would be taken."
"It was hard to get anything done. It was stressful and cluttered, and dark."

It's an experience they are not likely to forget.