Monday - Week two

On my way to work today I thought, "You know, I haven't dreaded going to work one single day this year." I've not always been so fortunate. Of course, I do dread leaving my home and family each and every morning, but I deal with that and start to feel the stirring inside of doing good work with kids.

My second block American Lit class went well. We are continuing with the theme of "The American Dream/Nightmare." We just finished the short story "A&P" and the poem "The Ex-Basketball Player," both by John Updike. Then we read "Harlem" by Langston Hughes and compared that to "Like a WInding Sheet" by Ann Petry.

My third block College Comp class was great as usual. We are discussing what makes good writing. So I had them bring in samples of writing that they consider 'good.' I already see some articles from Sports Illustrated and a selection from Stephen King, so it's going to be interesting. I also asked them to analyze and explain why their writing selections are 'good.' Once this was done, I handed out pieces of writing that I deem good "Out, Out --" by Robert Frost, the soliloquy from Macbeth that Frost alludes to in his title, "The Eagle" by Alfred Lord Tennyson, and a selection from the conclusion of "Winterkill" by Gary Paulson. Of course, I filled the kids in on the story behind Paulson's novel and how it is now banned and almost finished his career.

After that, the bell rang and I quickly began to get ready for my fourth block American Lit class - only to realize that I had lunch next and not American Lit. I was al set for another class. That has NEVER happened to me before.