An archived stack of papers: 'students'
Emo On The News
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Aug
- 28
- 2007
How would our students define “emo”? Would most of our students identify themselves as emo? Is emo in or out? Several months ago, someone posted a video clip of a news report on emo culture. A bunch of middle-age, photogenic news reporters give the viewing audience a view of a lifestyle that’s all over our high... read more
Silent Editing
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- May
- 24
- 2007
Using similar pedagogy to the silent conversations, here’s how we handled peer editing yesterday:
1st Pass: Read to see if the paper makes sense. Leave a comment for the author: is it clear? understandable? did you like/enjoy it?
2nd Pass: Agree or disagree with the author and state why.
3rd Pass (specific to ... read more
Silent Results
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- May
- 23
- 2007
As I mentioned in the last post, silent conversations are happening in my classes. I collected those conversations and here’s a random sampling of what was written down (“–” indicates a new writer on the page) skip to the rest of the entry:
Good quote. Say how Abigail is like when she is... read more
Silent Conversation
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- May
- 21
- 2007
Students help each other craft better writing than a teacher ever will; the suggestions of a peer are more meaningful. But reaching the place where that kind of editing discussion occurs is difficult. Like a lot of adults I know, students surround themselves with others who think like they do. And talking about the current essay is nowhere near as thrilling as the latest CD, prom pictures, or a juicy... read more
Teaching On The Edge
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- May
- 17
- 2007
Some of my colleagues spin webs of questions that catch students up in conversation. Teachers who push their students into further consideration of issues without the students even knowing it are gods to me. Siddhartha is the perfect book for that and I wish I was better. I know teachers on my campus who get the students looking at things much more profoundly than I... read more
Teacher As Designer: Handout Considerations 2
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Apr
- 28
- 2007
I hate that this is the case, but there’s a part of our job that’s advertising. As teachers, we are selling a product. We all need to think about that when designing–yes, designing–handouts.
If you’re just copying that same bland page from the teacher before you, what do you think is the immediate reaction of your classes? Xeroxed back in 1983 in all... read more
Handout Considerations
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Apr
- 14
- 2007
Dan’s been writing about design in teaching for a while. I fit into the same camp with regard to this stuff and consider myself just about as much of a designer as he does: not much of one, but good enough to have an opinion.
Dan’s entries have all been about design in presentations slides. I design... read more
Challenging All Students
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Mar
- 28
- 2007
We’re reading Macbeth. We’ve watched movie clips, acted a few short segments, dissected very few quotations, summarized scenes, started a class blog, drawn 8-panel comics, and written briefly about theme. We have not had many class conversations, nor done any writing of significant length, nor connected the play to current events, nor related the decisions to choices we make. A set... read more
Macbeth Multiple Ways
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Mar
- 16
- 2007
Get yourself copies of three different film versions of Macbeth. Cue each tape/disc/media file up to act III, scene iv. Give your class a handout for notes and very few verbal directions. “Pay attention to how these different directors treat... read more
Witches Vanish
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Feb
- 13
- 2007
My seniors started Macbeth last week. We began the unit by reading I.iii.1-110 several times. Then, groups of seven got up to act the scene out for the rest of the class. Each group had different motivations for Macbeth and Banquo, along with... read more