I'm feeling sort of... proud.
I look around and see other teachers jumping into Genius Hour, 20% Time, Passion Projects. Again I think: I can do that? Should I try that? But here's the thing... if I'm being honest. I don't want to give up 20% of my instructional time on a project that might or might not be meaningful. How do I reconcile that use of time when there is so much to be done? A curriculum to cover. The ever-looming PARCC for which to prep. I just couldn't do it. It's not that I love the standardized tests that are rammed down the throats of our students and teachers. I do not. It's just that we live in a culture that values success. The kids don't want to take the test, but they DO want to perform well on it. Part of my job is to make sure that on that day (or days it seems), when they sit down at those rows and rows of computers, they feel prepared. They feel I did right by them. Preparing for a standardized test is not where writers are born. No child ever exclaimed, "I want to be a writer!" after cranking out a five-paragraph formulaic essay. What are we creating here? A society of test-takers. But where are the writers? Where are the writers born, if not in our classrooms. I recently had the pleasure of attending a workshop with Ralph Fletcher. The day's topic was using mentor texts in the writing classroom. If ever you find yourself with an opportunity to be in the presence of Ralph and soak up some of his wisdom and wit, I suggest you do so! On that day, Ralph kept circling back to the struggle between teaching writings and teaching test-taking. This is a struggle that has really shook me to the core of my writing-teacher soul. I returned to my classroom the next day filled with ideas, knowledge, and excitement. Then I read my lesson plan: Literary Analysis. Does. It. Get. More. Boring? No. So I made a decision. I decided that I have to be the one. The one that opens the door and lets the writers in. Enter Free Form Friday, or Write What You Love Wednesday, or whatever I end up calling it when a stroke a genius finally hits (because if it doesn't have a catchy name, what's the point, right). A few weeks in and we have a 20%-Geniusy-Passion-Project-Honest-to-Goodness-Writers-Workshop! Time each week for the writers to write, for the bloggers to blog, for the students to explore their interestes, follow their passions. And the beauty part, I can rest easy knowing this: It. Is. Meaningful. So what are we creating here? A writing class. A place where writers are born. And I'm proud.
4 Comments
12/18/2016 06:02:47 pm
Yes, I agree that it is hard to fit in projects and still cover the curriculum. It seems that there is not enough time for both. Balance is the key. I guess I would try a project, and if I see that it doesn't seem like a worthwhile project or learning experience, I would change it or use another idea.
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Colleen
1/2/2017 04:43:57 pm
Oh, I just love this, on so many levels. :)
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Jennifer Fischer
1/3/2017 07:16:12 am
This is such an awesome start! I love that I can hear your voice in your writing. We try to teach students to capture their personality in their words, and your first post does just that! I think there are countless English teachers who can identify with what you have to say. Don't keep it to yourself!
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1/20/2017 07:10:51 pm
I think the 20% is a nice balance. I am trying something like that in AP Spanish. Giving Friday's to what I call 'Book Club Friday's' (I could probably use a catchier name). My students love it. We are already on our second authentic novel. Keep on with creating writers.
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AuthorSuzanne Crowley: middle school English teacher, middle child, mid-career, mid-life. And in the middle of it all, mommy. Archives
July 2017
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