Sunday, June 14, 2015

Year 13 of Summer School

Tomorrow marks my 13th consecutive summer teaching school at the Area Learning Center.  For the past 8 years or so, I've actually taught both summer sessions.

While it's not always easy teaching students in the summer (I mean what young person wants to attend school in the summer?  Okay, every summer I have one or two really motivated kids who are intent on making up credits or graduating early), but it is the only time I get to teach any electives.

Plus, Mr. Leake, the ALC director, has really gone out of his way to offer some interesting classes.  In fact, a few summers ago, he basically said that he was sick of offering the same old classes over and over and gave me freedom to offer some really interesting classes.  What a deal!

My first summer session includes

Science Fiction (one of my true loves and a class I haven't taught at LHS in six or seven years . . . but I'm happy to say that it will be offered next year as an elective, even if I won't be teaching it).

Minnesota Authors (how cool is this?  We get to read Winterkill by Gary Paulson and Claws by Will Weaver)

Creative Writing (again, a class I haven't taught at LHS in close to 10 years.  In fact, I don't think it's been offered as an elective in that time frame either; however, it will be offered this fall!)

My second summer sessions includes

Composition II (which I've never taught at the ALC before)

Literature I (a class I love teaching . . . I basically take my favorite short stories and teach them to the kids)

Science Fiction II (this is another class I've never taught anywhere before, so I'll be making this up as we go along.  Right now I think we'll delve into the horror side of Sci Fi a little bit more in this session . . . perhaps reading Darker Than You Think or I Am Legend).

When those 8 weeks are over, my summer will be pretty much over too.  Then it'll be time to plan my Teaching and Learning 250 class at UND, which starts on my birthday.  Before we know it, it'll be time for the 2015 school year.  Which is just fine with me!

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