The Lesson
As Language and Literature students approach exams in the northern hemisphere, it can be useful for their teachers to reflect on all the valuable things they have taught their students. So, let's do it together, with poetry. Thank you to my excellent colleague, Diane, for sharing the link to the poem. And for the mirth it did bring.
The Lesson
Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain
and gathering them around him he taught them
saying
blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
blessed are the meek
blessed are they that mourn
blessed are the merciful
blessed are they who thirst for justice
blessed are all the concerned
blessed are you when persecuted
blessed are you when you suffer
be glad and rejoice for your reward is great in heaven
try to remember what I am telling you
Then Simon Peter said
will this count?
and Andrew said
will we have a test on it?
and James said
when do we have to know it for?
and Phillip said
how many words?
and Bartholomew said
will I have to stand up in front of the others?
and John said
the other disciples didn’t have to learn this
and Matthew said
how many marks do we get for it?
And Judas said
what is it worth?
and the other disciples likewise.
Then one of the Pharisees who was present
asked to see Jesus’ lesson plan
and inquired of Jesus
his terminal objectives in the cognitive domain
and Jesus wept.
Don Linehan