We spend the first nine minutes of school making announcements before I send the kids off to other classrooms for science instruction. Last week as the kids readied to leave, I asked them--Are there any questions?
Jesse raised his hand. I was relieved; usually he raises his hand and screams, "Ms. Armadillo!" It's almost like yelling, when they raise their hands and call out your name at the same time. Anyway, Jesse was very careful this time.
"Ms. Armadillo," he began, "can we get a virus from writing in our blog at home? My aunt told me I can't do my blog at home because we can get a computer virus."
I wasn't surprised that someone out there was afraid of the kids blogging. A lot of the families in our neighborhood have limited experience with computers, and I'm always having to calm them down about computer usage. No, your child won't be kidnapped if they use the Internet.
Anyway, as I inhaled to answer him, Cathy piped in ahead of me. "I know! Adults say that to you because they don't want you to use the computer."
We all laughed, but I was really impressed with Cathy's understanding of the behavior of grownups. Sometimes it's easier to scare kids than to give them the real reason. Why would an adult tell a kid not to pick up a dirty comb on the ground when it's easier to say: "If you touch that comb, la llorona might come and get you!" La llorona, the banshee, computer viruses--whatever it is, it will come and get you.
So thanks, Cathy, for seeing right through our very thin veil of control.
