Always a teacher...

Greetings from Boston, Massachusetts!  I'm here for the week.  And, although I arrived around noon today, I've already taken a ride on the T, gone for a two-mile run, and (of course) visited my favorite bookstore.  (You can check it out here, but I don't think the website really does it justice.  The facebook page dedicated to its gift shop, on the other hand, is awesome.  Check that out here.)

Why am I telling you all of this?  Well, it's because while I was at the Brookline Booksmith, I was reminded of AC.  You see, I came across a book an AC student brought to class a few weeks ago - Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.  She brought it in as part of our professional writing review series.  This "series," as I'm calling it, is a scheduled Friday class activity during which students bring in excerpts of professional writing they deem interesting.  One by one each student gets an opportunity to share his/her selection with the class and facilitate discussion about the writing.  I, along with my students, have been exposed to a lot of different titles, authors, and styles through participation in this activity.  Born to Run was new to me as of a month or so ago, and it quickly made it to my "must read" list.

Who would have thought that it would be one of the first books I saw upon entering my favorite bookstore?  A signed copy, nonetheless.  ("Run wild!" it said, followed by the author's signature.)  Well, to be honest, I would have thought.

If it hadn't been this book, it would have been something else.  Something would have reminded me of teaching during the day.  Something always reminds me of teaching each day.  It actually happens multiple times each day.  And I like it.

I recently wrote about this in an essay about my life as a teacher.  To sum it up, I discussed how, since becoming a teacher six years ago, I have come to look at everything through a teaching lens.  Everything is potential inspiration for a lesson, assignment, or project.  The best part is, I have a way to channel and apply such spurts of inspiration.  Ahh...my lucky, lucky students. :)

If it's not inspiration for the classroom, it's inspiration for writing.  And sometimes, as is the case here, it's both.

If we just think a little, we can find inspiration just about anywhere.

This was one of the things I tried to get my AC students to realize last week.  To help in the whole inspiration arena, we made a trip to the Milwaukee Public Museum.  After exploring the exhibits, including the special Mummies of the World exhibit, students were to write two pieces - one nonfiction, the other fiction.  You'll see that some students chose to share their written drafts via their blogs this week.  Enjoy.

In the meantime, I'm off to find more inspiration.  I just can't get enough.  What can I say?  I'm always a teacher...and I love it.

I've Created a Monster!

It's 5:30 p.m. and I'm still here at work.  I just finished making an official online comment to each of my students' blogs.  And, although it's been a lot of fun - whoa is it a lot of work.

Who would have thought they'd hit the ground running?  Of course, I hoped they would, but you never know.  There are the expected snarky comments about how their teacher is making them do this "cool" assignment, but overall I sense some excitement.  And you can never underestimate untapped enthusiasm.

Now, I did say I made an official online comment to each student blog, but that's not exactly true.  There is one blog I haven't yet figured out how to respond to.  However, I feel as though I pre-sponded to the post already by distributing the following note to my students two weeks ago.

Before I cut and paste the note here, I'll tell you why I wrote it.  This semester I've decided to get into the habit of writing to my students.  As I explained to them, there are often times I'm at home, reading essays and/or stories, and I think, "I have to remember to tell them [fill in the blank]."  I usually jot the thought down, but it's not unusual for me to forget to bring it up in class.  So, instead, I've started to develop these thoughts into short notes as part of what I call my "Writer to Writer" series.  What follows is my third composition in the series...

What Other People Think

Teachers, parents, grown-ups in general – we spend a lot of time telling students, children, and kids in general not to worry about what other people think.  And, while that’s all well and good, it’s about time we try to reverse some of the damage.  Because, the fact is, it does matter what other people think.  It doesn’t matter what everybody thinks, but let’s face it...we don’t live in our own little bubbles.  We live in societies, among others with whom we need to work and play.  And as your writing teacher, I think it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge this fact.

It’s one thing to make a make a misstep in speaking.  There’s a term for that; we call it misspeaking.  But there’s no such term as miswriting.  Once you write something, it’s out there.  And, often, you’re not afforded the opportunity to immediately explain yourself.  Instead, your writing’s left to speak for you.

So be aware.  Think about how you come across to your audience.  And then consider whether you’re comfortable with your written persona.  If you are, resume.  If you’re not, rewrite.

So there you have it.  I think it's an important little lesson.  And I think it's especially important in relation to this project.

It's easy to create a blog.  Perhaps it's even easier to send the wrong message.

Aaaaaand...We're Off!

It's an exciting day in Advanced Composition.  By the end of the school day, all student blogs should be up and running.

Students, please comment below with your blog name and URL.

Readers, happy reading!

Countdown to Creation!

We're just moments away from student blog development.  I can't figure out if I'm more anxious, excited, or nervous.  I presented the project to my students last week and received a luke warm reception.  Any high school teacher would be happy with that.  Sometimes it takes a little while for the fire to catch.  Fingers crossed that we'll be burning by the end of class today.

The Project

I'm not the most tech-savvy teacher out there.  But I do love trying new things and I am always up for a challenge.  So in the spirit of living and learning, I would like to announce...eh hem...

THE ADVANCED COMPOSITION BLOGGING PROJECT!
...project...project...project... (hear the echo of excitement?!)

Sounds like fun, right?  Here's how it'll work...

Each student will set up his/her own writer's blog and commit to posting on a weekly basis.  To start, I will assign a topic, concept, or idea, however I foresee each blog becoming its own unique entity as each blogger becomes more comfortable, confident, and creative.

Who are the writers?  What will they write?  And just how will this all turn out?  Stayed tuned, dear reader!