Mrs. Parker, a popular and astute teacher, chose to pique students’ interest with an instructive and provocative question during a typical science session in a sixth-grade classroom. “Class, can someone tell me which human body part increases to ten times its size when stimulated?” she asked, turning to her students.
The classroom was suddenly quiet. Students exchanged anxious looks, eyes flew around the room, and there was an uneasy tension in the air. They were obviously confused by the question, and no one knew just how to react.
Then Mary, a self-assured, gregarious girl who never hesitated to express her opinions, suddenly got to her feet. You shouldn’t be asking sixth graders questions like those, Mrs. Parker! My parents will speak with the principal after I tell them. She yelled, “You’ll probably get fired!” in a startled and indignant tone.
Unfazed, Mrs. Parker only smiled and asked the question again in a composed manner. “Now, class, could you please tell me which body part enlarges tenfold when stimulated?”
Mary mumbled to her classmates, “Wow, she’s really going to be in trouble for this,” still clearly agitated.
Too uncertain, or too ashamed, to estimate, the rest of the class remained still. However, a long hush was broken by a gentle voice. “The pupil of the eye is the body part that increases ten times its size when stimulated,” explained Billy, a shy but intelligent student, as he got up.
Mrs. Parker’s gaze brightened. “Exactly, Billy! “Well done,” she said in a kind and supportive tone. The classroom was filled with relief as the tension at last subsided.
“As for you, young lady, I have three things to say,” she added, turning to Mary with a knowing smile. You have a filthy mind, to start. Second, it’s obvious that you neglected your homework. Thirdly, one day you will be extremely disappointed.
The class burst out laughing—not at Mary, but at Mrs. Parker’s astute handling of a difficult situation. A fascinating lesson on assumptions, inquiry, and the value of paying close attention before drawing conclusions was imparted by what began as an awkward quiet.
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