My International Classroom Visit
There are certain decisions that become more important when
you know they will be on display. Which travel mug to use? The ceramic
Starbucks hot air balloon. Lip color? Nothing too dark. The shadows can
make you look like you’re going for the goth look. Pants or skirt? Pajama
bottoms – it’s Skype, headshot only.
If you’re on my social media, you know I had the amazing
opportunity to visit with a class of tenth grade literature students from Lycée
International Nelson Mandela, Académie de Nantes. For those of you who
have no working knowledge of French “Académie de Nantes” means school of Nantes. As
in Nantes, France. Nantes, France is approximately 5,000 miles from my hometown
of Bend, Oregon. Needless to say, I had to get up early that day. But not to
travel, just to do my hair and make sure to catch the students before they went
home for the day. There's quite a time difference between the west coast of America and France.
Last July the very innovative teacher, Marie-Hélène
Fasquel, invited me to participate in a project with her class. Together we chose an excerpt from one of my young
adult books. I provided some witty and charming information about myself for a
slide show, which included a picture of 13 year old me standing under the
Eiffel Tower, and Marie and I agreed on a date in October.
At the time it felt so far away, but I’m
pretty sure I blinked and it was 6:00 am Pacific Daylight Time, Thursday,
October 13th, and the first student was taking the hot seat in front
of the camera.
“What is the hardest thing about writing? What is the
easiest thing about writing?”
"Middles are the hardest!"
Each of the students came and sat in the hot seat to ask
their question and listen to my answer. I was so grateful to Marie for
arranging for me to meet each student like that. Plus my writer brain was
exploding from all the fabulous character fodder. These students all had an uncanny confidence and attractiveness.
One of the students asked if kids in American classrooms
study my work like they were. I was a little sad to say that though I’ve done a
number of classroom visits none of them have been after they studied a book,
but then I remembered there is a class reading one of my books together and
I’ll visit when they finish. So it’s happening. Yay!
There were some questions that are always hard for me to
answer; favorite author, favorite books. When asked if I’ve ever read a book
and realized my own books had influenced the writing, I hated to admit that I
suspect I’m too dense to ever recognize that. Seriously, I can totally imagine
myself thinking, "This is good. I like this author’s style." But never making a
connection. Ha ha.
“Do you have to travel a lot as a writer for inspiration?”
“It isn’t required,
but it’s a good excuse!”
I turned the tables a little and asked if they read my
excerpt or listened to the audio recording. They all chimed in that they read
it. Such smart kids! I mean, I don't write in French. I asked who liked to read and they all raised their hands so we talked
books a bit.
The visit was just under an hour and it went way too fast.
I’m beyond thrilled to know they spent time studying my work. I hope it
resonated in some way like meeting them has within me. I can’t thank Marie
enough for opening that door.
Thank you dear Kai. Your interview was AMAZING and so mind-blowing for the students! Lookign forward to having you next year!!!!: )
ReplyDeleteYou're very generous with your critique ;) Thanks again, Marie.
DeleteIt's so neat to hear you talk to students in another country. Technology is wonderful. You did a lovely job, one that those young people will remember, as you will. Congratulations.
DeleteTechnology has opened our world!
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