This Semester

Things I have learned because of this class:

* New technology is not intimidating. I just get all worked up over nothing because in the end, I can learn it.

* Technology has so much potential; it is up to me to find ways to use it effectively as a teacher, or decide what is not useful for my class.

*I think that having a class blog or website will be one of the most useful things I take away from this class. However, there are so many other things that I liked that I will probably incorporate lots of them! I will also likely use iMovie to make introductions or clips to accompany various lessons in my classroom.

P.S.
Here's a great technology comic. Apologies if it offends...

Censorship???

I found the following after a simple search on google on "censorship in education." I will just leave this scenario with you as a thought provoker.







It's a typical day in 11th Grade American Lit. You are teaching about Mark Twain and decide that the students would not only enjoy but get a lot out of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The school has purchased enough books for each student to receive one, so you hand them out. Then you spend the rest of the class period discussing a very important issue: Twain's use of the 'n' word throughout the book. You explain that not only do we have to look at the book through the context of the time period, but we also have to understand what Twain was trying to do with his story. He was trying to reveal the plight of the slave. And he was doing it with the vernacular of the time. The students snicker a little. Some might even make wisecracks when they think you're not listening. But you hear and correct them. You make sure they understand the reason behind the word. You ask for any questions or concerns. You tell the students they can come to speak with you later. None do. All seems well.

A week passes. The students have already had their first quiz. Then, you receive a call from the principal. It seems that one of the parents is concerned at the prevalence of the 'n' word in the book. They consider it racist. They want you to quit teaching it. They make hints that they will take the issue further if their needs are not met. What do you do?

This situation is not a pleasant one. But it is not necessarily a rare one either. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the 4th most banned books in schools according to Banned in the U.S.A. by Herbert N. Foerstal.

School Libraries...

I thought my high school library was terrible. That is, until I spent some time at Lehi High School here in good old Utah. Embarrassing. Sad. It breaks an English teacher's heart.

I could not believe my eyes. I think I own more books than the school does. I learned from the teacher I was working with that she has to buy her own "class set" of books if she wants to change up the reading selection. There are great deals for teachers, but you are looking at a sizable amount of money if you want selection at this school.

I thought this might be of interest because there are a lot of those "hidden" costs that teachers don't realize until they are in the middle of the job. What I have seen that I think works well is for a teacher to have their own little library in the classroom that students can check books out from. Over the years, just look for deals and gather a book here or there to put on your shelves. Please, for the sake of the students!!! Don't let a terrible school library limit your students' variety in literature.

Spark Notes?

When I was in high school, using sparknotes or cliffnotes or anything like that off the internet was taboo. In fact, some teachers considered it cheating. I think the times are a changing...

Since I've been here at college, I am encouraged to look up as much information as I want about literature! It's great! I think that a lot of the problem was that teachers didn't know how to use the internet and so they were afraid of it. They imagined large scale cheating, or who knows.

The real concern of course is getting students to read their books. I am a HUGE proponent of sparknotes, cliffnotes, etc. because it encourages thinking, gives students a little help and direction, and breeds quality discussions.

--> Here's the trick <--

As a teacher, let the students know up front that they can use these resources. Then let them know that you still expect them to read the actual novel, poem, or whatever. Let them know that your tests will include things that can't be found on sparknotes. That way, if they struggle they can review things on these websites, but at the same time they will read the book also!

Just a thought for English teachers.