Chalk talk
There’s something really empowering about writing on a chalkboard. Something about seeing your letters in front of you at eye level instead of in a binder is exciting. You get a similar feeling on whiteboards, but with chalkboards, it’s even more special. It’s because with chalk, what you write on the board doesn’t belong to you. The awkwardness of chalk sticks distorts your penmanship a bit, altering how you hold the thing and consequently, too, the style of what you produce. The words you write resemble foreign objects more than your own thoughts. Teachers make it look easy; it’s terribly difficult to write loopy and lavishly and “teachery” with chalk. You have to hold it tight, endure the scratching sounds and, despite the chalky friction, write. There’s more scraping than there is sliding, and you don’t realize how under-appreciated smooth writing surfaces are until you’re up against a chalk board.
Up against the forest green backdrop, there they are. Those little white markings. Floating and grainy.
Children in classrooms jump at the chance to write on the board. It allows them to role play. The act of holding a marker or a chalk instantly grants them teacher status. And that’s cool. I used to work with Adele on the chalkboard only when we ran out of things to do. But I’ve started incorporating it more (say, having her write sentences on the board instead of on loose leaf, drawing lines between words and definitions, tracing cursive letters) and the results have been very positive. She acts more mature when she’s holding chalk. She’s more responsible because instead of being the student with a pencil, she, with the chalk, is in a role of purpose and authority. When we’re allowed to role play (or more generally, just to explore tasks and duties that we’re usually deemed incapable of), I think most humans have the good sense enough to do so well.
They have paint you can use that creates instant chalkboards. I’m convinced it’s because the industry executives realize how addicting the feeling of chalk empowerment is.
If your self-concept is every lacking, go pick up a piece of chalk. And write something purposeful. It’ll restore your sense of worth. Even if no one reads it.
