That's according to one of my profs. But seriously, think about it. Pick your favorite artist, whether that be country, rock, pop, whatever. So they release a new album. One that you deem worth buying on CD or iTunes because, dude, this is your favorite band/singer! Anyway, so you buy the album. During your first listen, do you really understand the meaning behind the songs? Not usually. But you play it. You play that bad boy over, and over, and over, until you know the words by heart and can belt them in the car. You may not still know what every song means, but hey you know the words. Perhaps a month after buying the album, it hits you – so that's what this song means! Okay now apply it to poetry. It's not that you necessarily have to read it for months, but you aren't going to “get” it on the first try. There you have it. A good method and analogy to use for teaching English.
That's just one tidbit of wisdom from my methods course on teaching English. Many others center around the idea that our job is to help kids see that reading and writing are fun, and how to do so. But another notable piece of advice that I enjoyed: Marry someone who reads a lot. They often take time to think about all the good things they have.... And if you can, marry a nerd. They love deeper for longer.
Interesting note....
That's really only the tip of what these three weeks of school have brought for me. In the 15 credits I'm taking, I have theatre club, a literature course, a history course, 2 methods courses – 1 teaching English, the other general methods (novice teaching) – and senior seminar. The beginning of the year so far has kept me busy working on “real world” teaching stuff, but now the real schedule of my semester is about to start. For novice teaching, I'll be in a classroom for 12 weeks, 2-3 days a week, going beyond observing to also be teaching several lessons. The rehearsals for the mainstage play The Women of Lockerbie are beginning, and as the stage manager I will be attending every rehearsal I can. Plus I am working a few hours tutoring students on writing papers in the Writing Center. I am off and running.
But I'm also facing my senior year – my last year in a community I have loved and grown in for 3 years. It's my last semester of theatre. My last semester having classes with some of my favorite professors. It's my last year to get out there and get involved in college life. And not to mention my last year living near so many wonderful friends. How do I keep feeding the relationships despite the different directions we are all already running? It's tough. But I do not want to face my last year of “normality” and not keep these friendships alive.
There will be plenty to share the rest of the year about teaching, what I'm learning and how I'm growing. Probably lots of stories to tell from Tib30, theatre, classes, and my crazy life. It may or may not be weekly posts, but as inspiration strikes – or when I feel a desire to avoid homework – a post will show up.
God is going to twist and turn me all around. But he is going to pour out his blessing abundantly on me, in ways I probably can't even plan or imagine. I cannot wait.
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| My roomies this year (girls, we need a new picture) |
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| One of the spots you'll usually find me on campus... Our black box theatre. The Troll likes it too. |
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| My itty bitty, beloved campus |
