This year has sapped many of us in so many ways.
But here’s one thing I’ve come to learn …
Students will do the work if the work is rooted in their self-interests.
Every single time that I have created an essay that is topically anchored in pop-cultural “stuff” - I got them hooked.
This past weekend in the FB group, I shared a unit I created about the recent Tik Tok trends.
I posted the writing workshop video on YouTube. (Link Below)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oNgF2r4hH8&t=119s
This was a huge hit. On a typical due date, approximately 30% of my students do not submit the assignment. Out of 68 juniors, I received all but 4 papers for this particular essay.
If you watch the video and like what you see, I’m more than happy to forward you the writing workshop PowerPoint and articles that some of my students used.
Please email me at [email protected] if you’d like these resources.
DO NOT REQUEST MATERIAL FROM THIS ADDRESS … Sendfox does not allow attachments.
I also did a literary analysis of Taylor Swift’s song “All Too Well,” which is all the rage.
I likewise put the writing workshop video on YouTube (Link Below)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6NTRpSFNyU&t=365s
There are “clean” lyrics for this online … that’s what I used … other lyrics contain the “F”- Bombs.
If you’d like the PowerPoint and supplementary material, again – email at the above address.
Today in class, I launched a new synthesis unit centered upon MTV’s Ghosted.
Our essential question explored the ethics of ghosting.
I’m looking forward to a lively Socratic Seminar.
By the end of the week, I will likewise post the writing workshop on YouTube.
Next week, we’re going to continue our focus on synthesis, but switch to the hit show Teen Mom.
We will explore the efficacy of the program in relation to its intended purpose.
I know that going to school for many of you has become a dreadful prospect this year.
It’s not all that bad!
Our kids will work if we meet them where their interests are at.
And teaching actually isn’t half bad when you have engaged students.
This is a time when a lot of folks need lifting, so that’s what I intend on doing. If I can make a change, my time is well spent. If you tell me that you smiled today while teaching … I’ll smile in return.
And to reiterate my previous message – Timm Freitas and I are collaborating on a textbook that hopefully will be completed later this spring. I am looking for five teachers to take my Teach It “Write” 5-Week Mastermind. If you’re looking for some super solid PD guaranteed to make you grow as a teacher, you’ve found the right place. Please reach out if you’d like to learn more.
For more information click here: http://teachinghow2write.com/teach-it-write-mastermind/
Hopefully my sharing makes getting out of bed a bit easier this week.
Reach out if you need anything or have any questions.
Happy teaching and happy writing!
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