to all my English teachers through the years...
I am sorry for my addiction to entertainment and my lack of appreciation for the assignments you gave, which were designed to maximize my understanding and appreciation of the lessons to be learned from a work, as well as the skill of the author.
So, I read The Scarlet Letter with my class this term, and had a great time doing so. I'd never read the book before, so it was an exciting read. We didn't do many activities as we read- I think it detracts from the reading experience sometimes. Afterwards, I simply held a week of round table discussion on the book and lessons we can take from it. So Monday through Thursday, we rearranged Classroom B into a circle of 13 desks and settled in to discuss, debate, and dissect The Scarlet Letter. This is the type of activity my students have been begging for. They think I treat them childishly and don't give them the chance to think and be adults. So I embarked on this week-long experimental journey. I felt like it went really well. The students did enjoy the discussion. During the week I also had them write a journal entry on a character flaw/sin struggle in themselves, and design a scarlet letter coinciding with the fault to wear around school one day. I thought this was a really interesting way to get inside Hester Prynn's head. So, assignments being minimalistic in work and maximizing the value of independent thought, I felt we were on the right track. We spent a whole week talking about ways this book relates to our lives, ways we can reach out to "the least of these" and ways we are all too often like the Puritans in the novel.
Friday, students turned in a reflection journal on their experiences. By and large the response was as follows: The book didn't have enough action, isn't all that applicable to our lives, and the letter-wearing experience was ineffective. (I'll give them credit, they all enjoyed the discussion format, at least for a while.)
*cue sigh of exhausted, confused teacher*
And so, I recall the popular saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."
I really love teaching these kids. I really love these kids. I really love literature. And sometimes, at the end of the day, I still get this feeling that I'm failing across the board.
Is it like that for everyone? I mean, is this a common experience for teachers? Did I torture my poor teachers with statements like, "this isn't applicable in today's world,"or, "they talk to much," or, "I just couldn't connect with it"? I guess I probably did.
But that is why, today, I would like to apologize. To Mrs. Brumley, Mrs. Upton, Mrs. Walters , Mr. Hinton, Mrs. Lassiter, Dr. Miller, Dr. Randle, Dr. Harding, and several others I probably plagued with my complaints- I apologize. I now understand. And if it makes you feel better, my scarlet letter was L for lazy. As if we didn't all know it. Dr. Randle being at the top of the list of those who can testify to the truth of that assessment.
And that's my rant for today. Back to the books, now. Gotta figure out our next route to the water...
I am sorry for my addiction to entertainment and my lack of appreciation for the assignments you gave, which were designed to maximize my understanding and appreciation of the lessons to be learned from a work, as well as the skill of the author.
So, I read The Scarlet Letter with my class this term, and had a great time doing so. I'd never read the book before, so it was an exciting read. We didn't do many activities as we read- I think it detracts from the reading experience sometimes. Afterwards, I simply held a week of round table discussion on the book and lessons we can take from it. So Monday through Thursday, we rearranged Classroom B into a circle of 13 desks and settled in to discuss, debate, and dissect The Scarlet Letter. This is the type of activity my students have been begging for. They think I treat them childishly and don't give them the chance to think and be adults. So I embarked on this week-long experimental journey. I felt like it went really well. The students did enjoy the discussion. During the week I also had them write a journal entry on a character flaw/sin struggle in themselves, and design a scarlet letter coinciding with the fault to wear around school one day. I thought this was a really interesting way to get inside Hester Prynn's head. So, assignments being minimalistic in work and maximizing the value of independent thought, I felt we were on the right track. We spent a whole week talking about ways this book relates to our lives, ways we can reach out to "the least of these" and ways we are all too often like the Puritans in the novel.
Friday, students turned in a reflection journal on their experiences. By and large the response was as follows: The book didn't have enough action, isn't all that applicable to our lives, and the letter-wearing experience was ineffective. (I'll give them credit, they all enjoyed the discussion format, at least for a while.)
*cue sigh of exhausted, confused teacher*
And so, I recall the popular saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."
I really love teaching these kids. I really love these kids. I really love literature. And sometimes, at the end of the day, I still get this feeling that I'm failing across the board.
Is it like that for everyone? I mean, is this a common experience for teachers? Did I torture my poor teachers with statements like, "this isn't applicable in today's world,"or, "they talk to much," or, "I just couldn't connect with it"? I guess I probably did.
But that is why, today, I would like to apologize. To Mrs. Brumley, Mrs. Upton, Mrs. Walters , Mr. Hinton, Mrs. Lassiter, Dr. Miller, Dr. Randle, Dr. Harding, and several others I probably plagued with my complaints- I apologize. I now understand. And if it makes you feel better, my scarlet letter was L for lazy. As if we didn't all know it. Dr. Randle being at the top of the list of those who can testify to the truth of that assessment.
And that's my rant for today. Back to the books, now. Gotta figure out our next route to the water...
