Positive Impressions

Well, it has been approximately a month since my college students began to discuss The Odyssey online. They posed responses to an initial question that I asked in regard to what one can learn from reading the epic today. This question gave students the opportunity to respond to the original prompt as well as to one another. Online discussions are unfamiliar to many of them, so this activity has proven to be a challenge for them--one they have accepted and succeeded in meeting. I enjoy reading the responses that the students have posted.

Approximately two weeks ago my high school seniors also began to post their comments in the same forum that my college students are using. The writing has emerged as an engaging conversation among all of my students. The college students are posing thoughtful questions, and the seniors are both responding and posing questions of their own. The online conversations have become a way for all of my students to challenge their own thinking as well as the ideas of others. I will be curious to see in which directions the writing heads as my students read the second half of the book.

New Beginnings

This week marks some interesting changes for both my university and high school teaching responsibilities. The university begins its fall term this week, and I am looking forward to teaching both the Introductory and the English methods classes. My English methods students will be reading The Odyssey and they will engage in conversations with my high school students. The high school seniors are starting the book shortly after my college students do, so they will have the opportunity to read some of the university students' reflections before they begin formulating some of their own responses. What I hope is that all of my students will begin to influence one another's thinking about the world of the text. It is both an exciting and challenging time for me as I wonder whether the students will believe they are engaging in authentic dialogue. Time will surely tell.

First week reflection

Well, we head into the second week of school after an interesting first week! With only one day of classes followed by a flood and no school, I have begun to reflect upon just how much we rely on the simple things. The clocks do not keep accurate time, the P.A. system cannot be heard in all classrooms, and many students are unable to access their work on computers. This past week has served to remind me that teachers need to demonstrate flexibility in both their planning and instructing. Without it, we could drive ourselves absolutely crazy!

Welcome to the fall quarter!

It's nearing the end of summer vacation and I am gearing up for a fantastic school year. I am looking forward to teaching both my high school and university students as well as developing ways in which they will be able to communicate with one another.