In The Zone

If you've ever watched basketball, you've probably heard the phrase "in the zone". It essentially refers to a time when a player feels as though he cannot miss; he is "on fire". No matter what shot the player takes, he intuitively knows that it's going to go in. Players that are "in the zone" often say that it feels like the hoop is five times its normal size. Obviously, that is not literally the case, but the players are trying to convey how easy a normally difficult shot seems. This state of being never lasts long, however. The hoop suddenly shrinks back to its normal size, the defense becomes more stifling, and previously unmissable shots begin to seem more difficult. The zone seems to come and go mysteriously, virtually unpredictable in its appearance and subsequent disappearance.

Although I am not a basketball player, I have experienced the zone. In my case, however, the zone did not manifest itself on the court; it came via the classroom. It did not allow me to sink long range three pointers or fadeaway jumpers. Yet, it was nevertheless a mysteriously and ephemerally prolific period. As a teacher, being in the zone happens during periods of class discussion. When I enter the zone, I feel as though I have the entire class under complete control. Now, this control that I speak of does not refer to behavioral management. That is essentially a given. This control means that I have the entire class completely and thoroughly engaged. I'm asking all the right opening questions, following up student responses and opinions with perfectly relevant queries to provoke further thought, balancing intellect with humor, and helping students make real-life connections to the subject matter that is being discussed. I feel like I have the class in the palm of my hand -- 100% control. No minds wandering, no one looking at the clock; everyone completely focused on the issues we're discussing as a class. Everything is clicking on all cylinders. Like with basketball, the teaching zone is difficult to describe to someone who hasn't experienced it. For me, it's the zenith of classroom performance.

Yet, just like in basketball, the zone never seems to last. But that's not to say that class is a hit or miss proposition. It's possible to have a very successful class period without entering the zone. The zone is more than just engaging students and having a successful lesson planned. It does involve both of those things, but it's also a lot more. It's that rare day when everything falls into place: the successful lesson plan, intelligently mature students, the right discussion topics, the right follow-up questions ... everything. And, for the duration of that class period, I know that I can't miss.