Writing Amid Literature.

There is nothing I hate more than writing essays.  The generic outline, the overdone exercises, and the same old repetition I'm used to doing for every other class.  Personally, I've always thought I've been good at writing essays but that doesn't mean I necessarily enjoyed writing them.  Like most people, I get more pleasure of writing about something that interests me.  I think more teachers should let their students be more creative with how they write.  In stead of assigning another lame essay, mix it up a bit.  I've even had teachers in the past who have gave the class general instructions, but we were allowed to be as creative as we wanted within those boundaries.  By doing this, there was still a general purpose, yet us as students, found enjoyment out of making the writing our own.  My goal as a teacher is to give my students that creativity.  Of course, learning how to write an essay is a necessity in order to graduate high school, but I would also want to inspire more creative exercises as well.  After all, they would be more enjoyable for me to grade.

Will My Name be Shouted Out? 4

Before:
I'm excited to see how this last installment of O'Connor's Will My Name be Shouted Out?  Like I've previously blogged I really enjoy reading the student's writing and the emotions playing inside their heads.  However, after our class discussion today I'm beginning to wonder if I would be able to teach like this.  Sure, I admire O'Connor for sort of stepping outside the box, but would I be able to do that as a teacher?  I think ethics really comes into play here because there could be some serious consequences for O'Connor if word got out that these already troubled children were reading and writing about murder and violence, as well as using racial slurs and cursing.  I'm not sure if I would be willing to risk the backlash and possibly losing my job if I was their teacher.
After:
I have mixed feelings on O'Connor's overall "success."  On one hand I thought the final play was astounding with all of the different writing pieces put together, however I think his teachings also backfired with some students.  For example, one of the students, Ali through a rock at O'Connor while screaming "I am 'Yusef Hawkins!'"  Although Ali later apologizes one can't help but wonder if the amount of analyzing Hawkins' murder has negatively impacted these students by glorifying violence.  This goes back to ethics because should teachers really spend a lot of time on such a subject matter especially with students who experience violence on an almost daily basis.  Overall, I think the project came along nicely but it only pretty much showed the positive.  None of the angrier letters were published or any of the "bad" words, so it's hard to get an actual effect on where most of the students' opinions fell.

Lending Library

I don't think I would mind having to teach poetry to 9th graders.  I feel like as far as a curriculum goes, poetry wouldn't be different from any other lesson plan.  For that age of students, I would prefer teaching a variety of different styles of poems and material that is more entertaining for that age group.  For example, I would introduce Shakespeare, because he is such an influential figure in our culture, but I would also like to study poems on Greek mythology or maybe love triangles; anything that they could find interesting.  One work of literature that I would love to teach is Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.  This is one of my all time favorite novels, and probably my favorite that I've had to read for school.  I think it's great for students to read because not only i it very entertaining, but deal with issues such as family diversity and race.
If I had to teach five plays I would choose Arthur Miller's "The Crucible", William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet", Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire", and Tracy Letts' "August: Osage County."
Since "Hamlet," "Romeo and Juliet," and "The Crucible" are so well known in today's society, I think naturally it should be taught.  There are also issues such as forbidden love, murder, and witchcraft that the students would potentially find themselves more involved with.  In "A Streetcar Named Desire" there's a very interesting  dynamic between the characters, as well as the line between fact and fiction and "August: Osage County" seems to involve a family with a great amount of flaws.  I think the students could relate to this as well.  I feel like a a teacher I would like to push the boundaries a little, and choose material which students could both relate to and enjoy.

Will My Name be Shouted Out? 3

Before:
The Bensonhurst  Project seems like a very interesting concept to be introduced with this group of students.  I feel that it would be intimidating to introduce such a lengthy and personalized project, but unlike some other students in the class, I actually admire this teacher for it.  He seems to develop some sort of process and development for this project working its way to the current chapter.  I think by the students starting with writing poetry and making their way to short stories and fiction, in itself is a process, which will lead to being an overall better writer.  I admire the students too, because even though they seem to have some sort of front, the majority of them have written some truly amazing writing . 

After:
My favorite part of this book would still have to be the student's writing.  For me personally, I find myself being inspired by these students and their writing.  It almost makes me want to teach to students with that sort of lifestyle and background because of the challenge.  The main reason why I want to become a teacher is because I've had teachers in the past whom I've really looked up to and have helped me become a better person.  Although I don't think my life is nearly as difficult as the majority of these students, it's something I've never forgot.  Being able to make a difference in a child's love (as cliche as that sounds) and inspiring them to reach for something greater would no doubt be worth it for me.  Knowing not every teaching exercise is going to relate to every student in class, or some may not find it enjoyable, just makes me realize that i will have to adapt to specific needs and to every class.  The more I get into this book, the more I actually look forward to having my own obstacles to overcome.

The Star That Guides Me.

I remember my fifth grade teacher calling me to the back of the classroom, where she was seated at one of the few tables.  This was the one time I was actually excited to speak to her, and that was only because my friend, Colby told me that our teacher was praising my poem.  Now let me just say, my teacher hated me.  Now I know what you're thinking, every student thinks their teacher hates them, but mine actually did.  I think she was possessed by some demonic forces, even though she was teaching in a Catholic school.  Personally, I think it was a cover up.  Anyways, she was talking to every student in our class for a few minutes discussing the poem they wrote for a contest.  I remember the title of the poem had to be either "Angels" or "The Star That Guides Me"-- I chose the latter.  It was such an ego boost for my young little self that this teacher who legitimately hated me was giving me compliments.  I ended up winning the contest which included a whopping ten dollars (oh I was hitting up Claire's later), and my picture in the local Catholic paper (still to this day my picture has never appeared), but I was so excited.  Then my teacher went back to hating me.

Will My Name be Shouted Out? 2

Before.
After reading the last few chapters, I am even more interested to read the students' work more than anything.  Reading about their experiences really touched my heart and finding out how this teacher copes with all the different children and their backgrounds.

After.
I think that the children's poetry was actually very good.  Usually at such a young age (if ever) children are not interested in poetry.  However, these students gave a seemingly thought out piece with an insight to their life.  I think that by reading the poem on New York City, the students were able to get a more accurate feel of what the author was feeling.  By using more current events or "newsworthy" people, places, or events they would be able to broaden their sense of creativity, while also gaining knowledge.

Will My Name be Shouted Out?: Part One.

Before:
I'm curious as to see where this book will go.  I know it's about teaching in inner city schools, but that idea alone has so many possibilities.  I've only even gone to school in the suburbs with minimal crime, and a willingness and excitement to learn for most of the students.  To me, the city reminds me of being overcrowded, dirty, and filled with crime, but how would that affect the schools?  Better yet, the children?

After:
My first thought after reading this chapter was the movie Freedom Writers, in which Hilary Swank's character is a teacher who is not used to this environment.  I have never been involved with a situation like this ever.  Sure, in my high school people got into fights, but no one ever spoke about the abuse they got from their fathers at home, or walking home alone being scared as someone was following them.  The idea that I could potentially be a teacher in this sort of environment makes me a little nervous.  However, the idea that I could potentially make a difference in a child's life (the whole point I want to become a teacher) would make all the difference.  Another thing that shocked me, was the teachers relationship with the student.  It almost seemed like a war zone in instances such as the three girls locking themselves in the closet, and the girl shouting obscenities through the classroom door.  The majority of teachers came back with insult or violence of their own.  Lucky for me, I had never had a classroom experience like that and have truly enjoyed most of the teachers I've had.  That being said, I know that when I am a teacher, I have to take into consideration the fact that every one of my students comes from a different background and has had a different life.  My job nonetheless is to help motivate them to be the best the can be.

Why I Write

Since I was little, I was always confused as to why not many other kids liked to read.  I remember being in Middle School where there was a D.E.A.R. program (Drop Everything And Read), in which my teacher would take about the first ten minutes of class and designate it towards reading.  The majority of my classmates groaned and hurried to sneak books from the bookshelf so they wouldn't get in trouble, while I was always excited to pull my Nancy Drew out from my bright pink book bag.  While I was reading I was taken to another place, usually with Nancy and her friends, while she was solving some mystery.  When Nancy was scared, I was scared; and when Nancy was happy, so was I.  I couldn't notice anything else around me and when my teacher announced that our free read was up, I turned into a super speed reader in hopes of finishing the page.  Now, about a decade later, I still enjoy reading, and although Nancy is far in my past, I've enjoyed challenging myself more with the novels I read.  I've also gotten into this habit of writing down books that are discussed in my college level courses, so I can make a note to read it.  I still don't understand why some people don't like to read, but personally I think they just haven't been exposed to the right books.  Being forced to read in a classroom setting, would cause anyone to be a little defiant, but I think that by reading one book, that absolutely takes you away, you'll be addicted.

Your not doing it right.

What irritates me most about college students is the fact that they all claim to "hate" reading and writing.  Like hello, you're in school, you know, that place you sit for a few hours only to pass time until the next night you get excessively drunk.  Sound familiar?  Well I am not too fond of being hated, especially for those reasons that are beyond my control.  It's not my fault that the only reason you ever see me are in lengthy, overpriced, textbooks you hardly ever use anyways, or in that article written by some dead dude with a bad goatee about his invention that some say "changed the world."  I mean even though that dead dude with a bad goatee is the only reason you're able to watch Jersey Shore every Thursday night (or Sunday night depending on whether something particularly "dope" is going down.)  Better yet, even when there are those few who can truly appreciate writing around them, they just don't seem to get it.  Whether you realize it or not, you all come in contact with me everyday; in lyrics to your favorite songs, the latest Twilight novel (Edward is soooo dreamy), or in the massive amount of calories you're consuming in your taco bell meal.  People that is called reading.  Now let's say you enjoy reading about that nacho goodness, chances are you're still not writing correctly, which in turn, will translate to you not reading correctly either.  Now I want you all to pay attention: THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "YOUR" AND "YOU'RE," "THEIR," "THEY'RE," AND "THERE" AND "TO," "TWO," AND "TOO."  Okay, do you understand?  Chances are you don't so let me make it easier.  "You're" is the same as "you are" as in "you're going to the party tomorrow, right?"  Now I know you're not going to the party because you probably have no friends, but this is just an example.  "Your" is more possessive, such as "your dress is pretty."  You wouldn't say "you are dress is pretty" right?  And no, your dress is in fact hideous.  If you don't know "two" as in it's a number then you probably shouldn't have passed first grade.  "To" would be used as "Let's go to the mall" while "too" would be to agree, such as "I want to go to the mall too."  Well you should because you need a new dress.  "Their" is possessive, as in "their house," "their car," and "their boyfriend."  None of these which you have.  "There" is referring to a place.  "Let's go over there."  Finally, "they're" is the equivalent to "they are."  Think about it.  Only use this if you could substitute the "they're" for "they are."  Now that I got to share some of my knowledge with you, I hope that you can begin to appreciate myself for all that I have to offer, not just that boring novels you have to read, or that 2AM break up text.  And *gasp* that knowing proper grammar, you might just get a job that doesn't have a hat with a spinner on top.  Shocking.