(Continuation of Right. I See That Now. )

Students were asked to analyze Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” and to prove that the main character in the song shows strength.

Kid (approaching me with her finished essay): “I’m not so sure about this one.”
Me: “Ok, well before I read it, what is it you aren’t sure about?”
Kid: “Well…I used evidence from the text. I talked about how she burned her relationship in the flames, but I’m not really sure why that shows strength.”
Me: “Well, was it a good relationship? Was she being treated well?”
Kid: “No.”
Me: “So don’t you think it takes strength to end a relationship in which you’re not being treated well?”
Kid (pausing to think): “I don’t know. I’m 9.”

In a lesson about text interpretation, our class analyzed the Cyndi Lauper song “True Colors” (because it fit the lesson, and also because if these kids don’t know who Cyndi Lauper is, I’ll cry). After playing the song a few times and discussing it, we asked the students to write a response explaining the song’s meaning.

Twenty minutes later, a kid (9 years old) approached me with his finished essay. The opening line read:
“The lyrics say ‘Let your colors show,’ and that means that you have to express your feelings and let the beast inside of you awaken so that you can become who you truly are destined to be.”

I read this aloud and laughed, impressed but also wondering where the hell he came up with that phrasing.

The kid leaned in close, utterly satisfied with himself, and with a straight face said– “Let’s just say I watch a LOT of Oprah.”

I stopped reading and gave him an A+.