Reading The River: The World in a Cracker

I am a seeker of “signs,” and a finder of Meaning in everything. Connections thrill me, and it doesn't matter if they are between math and social studies, nature and humanity, or me and the cashier at Meijer. A well-crafted metaphor can make my entire day. Yes. I'm that one. The students are well aware of my love for connections and creatively expressed ideas. Yes, Mrs. V, we know. We know how much you looove writing. They roll their eyes when they say it, clearly emphasizing their admiration. So I take liberties with this interpretation. It helps me get through the day.

This week we taught “Plate Tectonics” and did a lab involving graham crackers and frosting. Graham cracker crust plus frosting magma equals *Bazinga!* We made mountains with water dipped grahams and earthquakes by rubbing them together. The students had great fun and even seemed to understand the way the earth’s plates behave a lot like crackers. Who knew?

This is why I love teaching. Nothing satisfies me more than to show how this unfamiliar thing is really a whole lot like this thing you already know. Showing something familiar and everyday in a brand new light gets me all inspired.

In the writing world we call this “telling the truth on a slant.” Graham crackers are not exactly like the earth’s crust, but they are enough like it that you can connect them meaningfully. It’s just strange enough (slanted) that it enhances understanding. By making it strange, you make it real. Strange equals fresh and I can sell fresh all day long. The challenge is to stay fresh myself, but that's another thing.

You will have less trouble with this if you are a little bit strange yourself. Normal people, I'm sorry, you will need to learn how but, trust me, you are in the right place. We all have our gifts and for me, strange is easy. Really, you’re going to show me how a graham cracker is like the EARTH? Right, prove it teacher lady.

Oh all right.