Our learning was “Ship-Shape”

Dr. Wendy Ghiora – May 3, 2012 – Posting #107

Our sixth-grade teacher was a “no-nonsense” kind of lady. She was in her late sixties, when she taught me, and I remember her as being a rather tall woman. She was about 5’10” with a large build, and permanently tanned skin. Her salt and pepper greyish hair was curly and cut just beneath her ears. Ms. Geaghan had a way about her that let you know from day one, she was in charge.

One of the things I remember warmly about Mrs. Geaghan, was her love of the sea.  Since our school was located in Long Beach, California, this is understandable. So it seemed only natural one day when she told us we would be learning the nomenclature of ships.  And we did.  After we had learned fifty or more “maritime” words, we were in for a treat.

Upon entering the classroom, worn out and sweaty after lunch recess, Mrs. Geaghan asked us to quietly sit down. About three-fourths of the classroom lights were turned off, leaving the room cool and refreshing.  After a lively introduction, Mrs. Geaghan began reading Mutiny on the Bounty. 

We were mesmerized. We could feel the pulse of the ship pitching and landing in churning waters. We sensed the tension among the crew members.  In short, we were hooked. After that, we would race into the classroom each day after lunch recess in high anticipation of what would happen next in the story.

A few days after we completed reading the novel, our class went on a tour of the Long Beach Harbor.   Back then it was an amazing example of modern maritime technology at work. 

Even today, Long Beach is one of the world’s premier seaports.  It generates about $16 billion in annual trade-related wages statewide.

Studying our local government and economics was apparently a part of our social studies curriculum. Our wise teacher had figured out a way to make the learning of great literature, new vocabulary and civic awareness a seamless and very enjoyable adventure! So many teachers today complain they never have enough time to include everything they need to teach. Instead of cutting back on the curriculum, Mrs. Geaghan found a way to combine the learning and enhance it even more. I sure wish more teachers would follow her example.