My (32M) 3rd period class was super stoked to watch The Maze Runner. I prepped observation worksheets and character development packets to keep them engaged during the movie.
We got through the first 30 minutes, and they were scribbling away at the first page of questions. Then, this one student (15F) pipes up, “I think there’s something wrong with this packet.”
Before I could even ask what was up, her buddy (17M) snatches the character development packet from her and starts flipping through it.
Turns out, I had somehow managed to copy the ANSWER KEY for Page 1 of the movie observation questions directly into EVERY SINGLE character development packet.
The realization washed over me in a healthy dose of “Oh, you absolute idiot.”
But honestly, they were so genuinely thrilled. So, my slightly embarrassed self just shrugged and said, ” Enjoy the free answers for the first part. Maybe actually pay attention for the rest of the movie though!”
Part of me feels like I totally failed at the “educational” aspect of movie day, but another part of me is just hoping they’ll at least absorb some of the plot. And hey, at least they’re happy, right?
TL;DR: Accidentally gave my high school English students the answer key to the first part of their Maze Runner movie worksheet, decided to let them have the win, and am now questioning all my life choices.
Comments
hey look at it this way, with that first page you’re showing your students the type of answers you expect from them.
They paid attention during a movie? Amazing