I'm laying on the couch in my pajamas (which I've had on since about 7:30 tonight) drinking a beer or two and watching the Cotton Bowl. It usually pains me to cheer for LSU. I'm an Ole Miss fan. The only words I typically associate with LSU are "Go to Hell!" I can't help it. However, they are showing Texas A&M how football is played down in Death Valley. And for just 3 more minutes, I will cheer for the Tigers.
In addition to defying my upbringing and being thankful for the Anheuser-Busch corporation, I have been doing school work. I'm not typically one to spend my weekends, let alone my Friday nights, doing school work. However, having a husband with a broken face who hasn't felt like doing anything since December 22 leaves me with A LOT of free time on my hands. I could be cleaning, but that's not fun. This semester, my kids and I are doing something I've never done before. I found 13 different books with similar themes for them to choose from to read this nine weeks. I described each book and they ranked them. I was up way too late last night grouping them and creating their groups. In addition to reading their book with the other people in their group in their class, we are also doing online blogs for each book. That means I will be the facilitator of 13 different online classes essentially. This also means that a student in my 1st period class can have an online conversation with a student from my 8th period class who is reading the same book. We spent today setting them up in the website and them getting acclimated to the format. If you've ever taken an online college class, it's pretty much the exact same thing. Each Sunday night, I will post a new topic. They will have until the following Sunday night to post their response to my topic and to reply to at least one of their bookmate's responses. So far, they seem to really enjoy the format. Granted, today was just the first day and first assignment, but when a student who hasn't shown a bit of interest in anything in my class not only posts his response but also replies to every other post out there and is occupied the entire class period, I'd say it is a success so far.
Some of the books they are reading are tough books. They deal with death of parents and friends, drunk driving, suicide, rape, slavery, murder, homelessness, and other things that will actually keep them engaged. I want my kids to read stuff that will make them question everything they have ever been told and taught. I want them to read books that will make them think, possibly for the first time ever. I want them to read books that make them ask questions and reexamine themselves and history and their views on life. I told them that I am done teaching books and stories written by dead white guys. I want to teach them to think and grow and become better people than all the generations that came before them. We are learning together and growing together. Some groups will come to class angry because of the content of their book. Some groups will come to school in tears. Some groups will just come feeling empty and betrayed and like the air has been taken from their lungs by the words on the page. And I will be right there with each group to calm their anger, dry their tears, or help them find the air they need every step of the way. THIS is what teaching should be all about. THIS is why I joined this profession in the first place. THIS is what my heart has needed. THIS is what I was made for...
No comments:
Post a Comment