"I Feel Squirmy"

said my student I was tutoring on the subject of the Italian Renaissance to the tune of $50/hour.  "I feel like wiggling around, you know?" he complained. "Why IS that?"--which is what makes him interesting.

"Because you're a twelve-year-old boy, that's why.  Can you stand on your head?

"Whut?"

"Can you stand on your head."

"I dunno."

"OK, not really your head.  Your HANDS.  Come over here"--I crossed to the study wall--"and just kick UP, like this"--and did a handstand against the wall.  Which nearly killed me with all my tendonitis issues, but I wasn't letting on. 

I came down, slightly breathless.  "Come on!  I'll catch you.  No, don't start from your knees; start standing, but like a track star on the blocks.  Yeah, good. . .  OK, once more, kick HARD, you'll get it--woopsie! there you go!"  The second time, he kicked to about 45 degrees, and I lifted him the rest of the way.  He stood there, only a little wobbly, for a count of maybe 15.  Then down.

"Whoa--that was COOL!"

"Yeah?"

"Could we do it again?"

"Sure !"

Then he caught himself.  "No, uh, um, never mind."

"OK.  So who first posited that the earth was NOT the center of the universe?"

"Copernicus."

"Right."

"Who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel?"

"Michelangelo?"

"Right."

"Who designed the big dome in Florence?"

"Brunelleschi?"

"Yup."

  Goodness how rewarding.

_________________________________

In other news:  as of Wednesay, June 15, WriteOutLoud will be on hiatus for a while. 

Comments

[Sean]

Now *that* is a great description of teaching in the moment and hearing your student!

[Trey]

You'd BETTER come back. To make sure, I'll be standing on my head til you do. Deal with that.

[dale]

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful teaching. (Sorry about the tendonitis, I know that one!)

[fred1st]

Goodness. I hope your hiatus gets better soon. When it does, tell us about it. 'kay? And DR, your physical therapist recommends against the inversion on the cranial column. Don't make me come out there!

[beth]

Hope you won't be gone too long, Doc. I'll miss you and your stories!

[Coup de Vent]

Hope it's for good reasons and that you and well. Take care.