Developmental Writing Update
Well, my friends, I have survived two more days of developmental writing. What's more, so have most of my students.
On Wednesday, I entered the class, sat down with them, and had a talk. I told them that I knew that none of them had voluntarily chosen to take developmental writing. And, I said that this was my only Monday, Wednesday, and Friday course, so I drive across town at six-thirty in the morning just to see them. "So," I said, "Let's try to have some fun in this class. Let's try to enjoy the process." I asked if any of them had any ideas for making the class more enjoyable.
Silence.
Then we listened to David Sedaris reading an essay about when he was an elf at Macy's.
Silence. No smiles.
So, I had them write. First they did some freewriting. Then I asked them to write about a time when they had a conflict with someone. I had them read this to the person sitting next to them. Then I had them write about the same conflict from the point of view of the other person. Then I had a couple of people read their writing. It was okay.
This morning, I talked for a couple of minutes about why I think writing is so important. I then showed them a film with speeches by Sojourner Truth, John Ball, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
I did hand out some journals, per Kim's advice. We didn't have time to write today, but I told them that they should expect to write in the journal every day and to turn it in every once in awhile for my comments.
The attitudes seem a little more open, though my young woman did spend the last five minutes of class loading her backpack.
Thanks for all the wonderful hints and ideas. I'll continue to fight the good fight and to update you on our progress.
Comments
What are their backgrounds?
I used to have some good stand-bys to get kids to talking and discussing things. Sadly, I've lost my memory ever since I turned 46. I'll try to remember the authors and names of books. I used to have a book -- a memoir -- with short chapters that were really great for discussions. Then I'd have my students write some of their memories. That would usually get a few of them going.
See how I love giving advice for classroom? Funny... I couldn't hack it as a teacher. Good on you for teaching.
I so hope you can spark a few of them. Words are power. If only they knew!!!
Do they have any kind of common obstacle? Or is it various reasons for needing developmental writing? And kind of common level of ability at all? Or all over the map?
I can't believe they didn't laugh at Sedaris.
I'd suggest something creative like a comedy sketch but wow, with no sense of humor I can't imagine how that would work.
Interviews?
You'll find their currency.
Good luck!
But it still seems to me that you're making an impression, and the right one. I think, putting myself in their place for a moment, just the fact that you sat down with them and laid it out there, asking for input, was a fabulous first step. I think any changes that are going to happen with this group will start from the inside where it isn't easy for you to see. Just remember that Rome wasn't built in a day.
Thanks for the update - keep fighting the good fight. You are truly amazing.
Silence.
They're lucky to have a teacher that's making such an effort.
I had a great cpolpe of professors whe I was attending Sacramento city back in the '70s.One name I still ermembe rto this day Larkie Gildersleeve. she was a great human being and unlike most of the profs there she would be sitting in the courtyard haveing a cofee and would enjoy haveing conversations with the students even if they were not in her class.
but really... they sound like barrels of fun.
Nice picture of Sojourner Truth - I just love her.
Well, it's sweaty-toothed-mad-man time, Karen. I'm sorry.
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Would like to be in touch with you.
Did you see Frontline lately, with the topic of the Internet and Teenagers? It was frightening and somewhat eye-opening at the same time. Yikes. Is all I can say.