#teaching lit

[wenclair-more-like-whenclair]

Ugghh student teaching in a red state is the worstttt. I had a 12th grade AP English teacher tell me today that she doesn't "do pronouns." Bitch the fuck you MEAN you don't "do pronouns" you're an ENGLISH TEACHER???

[booksandteaandthoughtsfrom-blog1]

The Freedom Writers Diary: 10th Anniversary Edition

(Image from here)

This is the first book that I have bought for myself that is a "teaching book". I have had some as presents before, and some that I have borrowed (all of which are yet to be read). I actually watched the movie of this book a long time ago, which is shocking because I never watch movies. As my teaching career grew more and more, I kept thinking that I needed to engage with the story of the Freedom Writers again because it would mean something completely different to me now that I am in the field. I am really glad that I read this book. I am so inspired and so in awe of the life stories of these students.

Erin Gruwell is a new teacher who is put in a classroom full of students who do not think that they will live long enough to graduate high school due to gangs, drugs, or other violences in their lives. After struggling to engage with her students, she reworks her whole curriculum plan and makes her classroom content student-centred. They write in journals every day, and find stories and diaries that have something that the students can relate to. The book took me on a journey through these student's lives, and reinforced the idea that you can never know a student's full life story.

Gruwell was brave and stubborn, and was a great role model for any new teacher as to what is important in a classroom. She was a wonderful reminder that lesson plans do not count for anything if your students do not care about what they are learning. I find her teaching methods (through the student's diary entries) to be inspiring and something that needs to be considered in any classroom.

This book was very moving, and is not just for teachers. I believe that this book is so powerful because it gives a voice to people who would not have had a voice otherwise, and shows us the variety in the human condition.

I know that this book is one that I will go back to in the years to come.

5/5 stars.

[idratherbereading]

I do have to share this amusing exchange in one of my classes today.

We're currently discussing Part I of A Study in Scarlet, and I asked my students what they thought of the relationship between Holmes and Watson. This is what followed:

Male student: They're gonna be BFFs, right?

Me: Do you think so?

Male student: Oh yeah, definitely.

Female student: I think they're a couple.

Me: Really? What makes you say that, A____?

Female student: Because Watson stays even though Holmes is a jerk. And Watson studies him. Oh, and because Holmes plays songs Watson likes on the violin to make up for the times he plays awful stuff. I totally think that means they're together.

Me: Well...ok. But wouldn't you do nice things for your best friend if you had annoyed her/him?

Male student #2: Not unless he's putting out. So, yeah, they're gay.

Oh, my children, how they amuse and frustrate me.