When I walked into Mr. Calvert’s class, I didn’t know what to expect. But, I know that when I walked into the classroom for the first time, I didn’t expect to experience everything I do in that classroom today. I didn’t even imagine that I would be struggling when trying to break open a lock using clues around the room, or to watch as the teacher pretended to impale one of my classmates with a scissor, or to laugh as all the blocks fell on the table when we tried to balance them. I didn’t expect any of that. But, it all happened.

 

One day, Mr. Calvert was explaining the rules in his class. One rule was that we couldn’t wear baggy clothing nor hanging jewelry. He said that it could catch onto something, like a drill or another moving object. No long hair that isn’t tied up, always think before you act, you must know how to use a machine properly before you use it yourself, and more. I know what you might be thinking. Where is the excitement in this? Where are all the amazing things you said that happened in Mr. Calvert’s technology class? Well, it all started when the teacher explained about how to care for dangerous tools. 

 

“Which tool, do you think,” he said as he opened the tool closet, “made the most injuries in this classroom?” 

“That one!” A kid guessed, pointing to a hammer. 

“Nope.”

“Is it that one?” Another kid asked, gesturing to a sharp looking screwdriver.

“Not that one either. Surprised or not,” he said, taking out a scissor and holding it up for all to see, “It’s this.”

 

No, you didn’t read that part wrong, it was a scissor. A scissor! Something that we use normally and without fear. Something that people use every day. He was saying that it was dangerous! How? Quickly, he explained. 

 

“Let’s say I’m walking around the classroom holding the scissor like this.” I’ve never seen anybody hold a sword before, but that’s exactly how I imagined one would, except that it’s a scissor. He held the scissor out in front of him with two hands. 

 

“Hmm…, he said,” looking at his students. He gestured to one of them. “Pretend you are working on something over here. The student got up from her seat and had her back to him, her hands fidgeting as if she were working on something. The teacher made his way toward her, scissor in hand. When he was right behind her, he said, “And, maybe you turn around because you need to get something.” Once the kid followed the instructions, he made a big show of how the scissor can hurt her. 

 

“And that’s why your kindergarten teachers have always told you to carry the scissors like this.” He pointed the scissor downward.

 

I’ll tell more exciting adventures that are in Technology class in my other blog posts!

 

-Ada

Scarsdale Middle School