Sometimes, just sometimes, I wish I were young and spirited again. As a new teacher thirty-three years ago, I remember kicking off my high heels, hoisting up my skirt and chasing after a young man who was skipping school every day just before my class. Ill never forget the horrified look on his face when he saw I was catching up with him in the school parking lot. Another time, a student in my speech class failed to show up the day of his presentation. When I heard he was in the band room hiding under the table (yes...these are both strange but true stories), I bolted down the stairs, burst into the band room and grabbed the little guy by his ankle, pulling him out and dragging him back up the stairs. Today, with the internet as a easy-go-to source for plot summaries and literary critiques, it really is a challenge to make sure my kids are reading their novels. So, earlier this week, I rolled up my sleeves and set about creating (from scratch) five unique quizzes to start off class each day for the next two weeks. (Thats fifty multiple choice, short answer and essay quizzes...no easy task.) To help monitor who is reading the book and understanding its key themes, symbols and motifs, I created a discussion board on Schoology for students to share insights, quotations and plot details. Tonight alone, over sixty of my students have dropped in and posted. I have been the last to leave the parking lot for days now, and both Monday and Tuesday I stayed up grading until well past 2 a.m. What matters is theyre reading! Theyre discussing the book. Theyre asking good questions. If there were a Tough Mudder competition for English teachers, this tough mother might just earn a trophy for endurance.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 03:50:46 +0000
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