I am lucky enough to have a comp class this semester in which the students regularly push each other to be better writers and thinkers; I often just sit back and watch what happens. They're spoiling me, and I'm grateful for the experience. I'll stop being obnoxious now.
So that’s why I do it. . .
I love to teach. More specifically, I love to teach writing. Truly. Although it is work-intensive and tiring at times, I actually feel energized when I'm in the classroom. . .usually. Occasionally, though, I wonder if I'm any good at what I've chosen to do, especially when classes don't go as smoothly as I hoped.... Continue Reading →
Cell phone classroom policy
So this post from Barclay Barrios is something to keep in mind. His syllabus policy is this--"use cell phones responsibly or not at all." Given the multiple ways in which we all use our phones now--calendars, internet access, spell checkers, and so on--it does feel disingenuous of me to tell students to turn their phones... Continue Reading →
Another end-of-semester reflection and revision post
This post is mostly for me, so I apologize if it's immensely confusing or boring! Comp I thoughts: Move "what I know" presentations to Comp I from Comp II and make them one of the 5 major projects. Maybe add presentations focused on introducing technologies in final sequence? Keep personal essay as first paper. I... Continue Reading →
Thinking about the Comp II curriculum one more time. . .
I changed my sequence III assignment today. Okay, not change so much as offer another option: originally, sequence III was supposed to be a traditional 4-6 page persuasive essay on an issue of the student's choosing. They're building off of research they did in sequence II and developing their own opinions for an audience of... Continue Reading →
For the record. . .
I am still alive and kicking. This semester seems a bit easier to handle than last semester, though I'm still not handling all the grading well. I am the ultimate procrastinator when it comes to grading. . .it's not that I don't want to read and respond to the essay; I really enjoy seeing what... Continue Reading →
Thoughts for next semester OR: what I’ve learned so far. . .
These are mostly notes to help me plan for next semester, so this post will probably be incomprehensible to other people. ENG 1113: Assignment sequencing: personal essay, op-ed text, rhetorical analysis, in-class exam, revision. the rhetorical analysis assignment has been quite difficult for students this semester. rhetorical analysis is a good bridge assignment to 1213,... Continue Reading →
What to do?
I have a student. No surprise there. I actually have about 100 students this semester. But there's something else going on with this student: she seems so sad. All the time. At first, it seemed to be a mixture of hostility and sadness, and I felt like that hostility was directed toward me specifically. She... Continue Reading →
essaying the plains 