New Aquatic Classmates: Mr. Jens’ Growing Fish Tank

 

Abby O.

Right before the 2020-2021 school year started, Mr. Jens more than doubled the number of fish in his tank.

Eleven fish joined the tank in Busan, bringing the total of occupants up to twenty. Unfortunately, several of the larger fish that used to occupy the tank passed away over the summer. While they will be missed, students can enjoy getting to know the six green neon tetras and five rainbow fish Mr. Jens added to populate the aquarium. The arrival of new fish further enhances the positive influence of Mr. Jens’ aquarium on his students’ ability to learn as the fish relax the students and create a pleasant environment.

Watching fish swim around together in a tank has proven to reduce anxiety levels. This assertion is supported by Ethan Chan (11), who, when asked his opinion on the fish, said, “The fish are amazing. Mr. Jens’ fish have good-natured souls. The fish provide a sense of calm for all the students in the class.” The relaxation that the fish provide Mr. Jens’ students helps quiet any anxiety they might face, which in turn allows them to better focus on the material being covered.

The sound of the water filtration system in the tank also contributes to decreasing stress levels and aiding students in achieving academic success. Listening to the water flowing helps students focus as it covers up potentially distracting background noise. Yong-Yu Huang (11) feels, “It’s super calming to just sit there and listen to the fish tank while doing your work or listening to the class. The fish add something unique to the room that somehow manages to finish off the perfect cozy English classroom atmosphere.” By establishing a relaxed and open classroom environment, the fish promote conversation—an essential element of any English class.

The relaxation and environment fostered by the fish tank help students focus and feel comfortable sharing their opinions, allowing them to better engage with the course material and glean more from the texts they cover; thus, it is with great enthusiasm that we welcome the new members of Mr. Jens’ aquatic class (shown below) and thank them for their role in our search for the deeper meaning of literature.