LOST

Current state of mind = consumed by Lost. You know the television show where people are on an island and everyone is suspicious and everyone is dramatic, the line “don’t tell me what I can and cannot do!” is repeated a number of times by a number of different characters. Not to mention the fact that there are countless issues and questions going on all at once. Furthermore, every single person on this island has a dark and twisty life story that is reveled little by little, accompanied by intense music and frames of intense looks! Whew! Just talking about it makes me anxious. Perhaps this uncontrollable feeling is due to my personality, or Hollywood is better at what they do then I would like to admit.

Why write about Lost? What does this have to do with teaching? Ah excellent question reader! Although Lost is not directly correlated with teaching there are a striking number of similarities that I’m sure, to some, seem obvious however I choose to reveal them for those who do not see the parallels as clearly…

Similarity #1: Island = a heavily Vegetated/ slightly creepy representation of a classroom
Let’s think of the island as a classroom, and the island inhabitants the students. Immediately after landing (or should I say crashing) on the island the strong, leadership personalities stood out and took control. As a teacher students who have these characteristics will stand out because they are born leaders! But let us not forget or pass by the students who do not stand out. Some of the students are the quiet type but have just as much to contribute to the survival and success of the group. Much like the inhabitant of the island each student has their part and each student can contribute to the classroom.

Similarity #2 Twisty background
Not to hard to make this connection! Each and every student has a story just as each and every character on Lost has a story. Students’ lives may not be as dark, twisty, dramatic or ironic, but each student has a story. It is because of their background that they enter the classroom with a preconceived idea of how to approach this new environment. Some students are more confused than others and every single student will react in a different way. It is important to recognize this as a teacher and get the students to work together and use and recognize each other’s strengths.

Similarity # 3 What the F is going on here?
This similarity is self explanatory in the fact that I know in my teaching career I will be saying to myself “what the F is going on here!” But it doesn’t end here, many of the questions that surface while watching Lost, are answered after some patience and persistence to continue watching. By continuing to watch and observe your students and be understanding, questions that you have will be answered. Don’t give up. Keep on going, you will survive!

These are just a few! I hope I have gotten your mind ‘a flowin’ and that you too can come up with your own connections to these silly TV shows that seem to draw us in and seemingly consume our lives!