Numbers vs. Action

I took the time to review most of my ENG 120 students' SAT scores in Writing and Reading this semester.  I was already aware that my university has remarkably low SAT score percentiles across the board, but I was curious about my specific students' scores.  With few exceptions, my students had the low Reading and Writing SAT scores I had expected, although many, surprisingly, had passed the University's in-coming Writing Placement exam (although many failed the Reading Placement exam).

What does this mean?  Well, when I couple it with one sections' responses to my question, "What was the last fiction book you read-for pleasure or school?" it means my students are writing and reading well below what is acceptable for college students.  Still not shocking.

At the beginning of the third week of the semester, however, with both sections roughly six weeks into their respective novels (Ender's Game and The Hunger Games), I can start to judge how many students are reading (and how well).  My students are, across the board, reading!  Yay!  Hoorah!  Fireworks and hooplah!  Not only are they reading, but they are also enjoying what they are reading!

I'm not just patting myself on the back here--I'm genuinely thrilled that my students are reading.  Both novels engender great discussion about social issues, ethics, and morals--and my students are largely driving the discussion.  They also keep a weekly blog about the novel (I post general topics/guidelines each week), which forces them to write about what they are reading, in addition to discussing it. 

Spring, Sprang, Sprung?

After an admittedly lazy holiday break (I read a dozen books--it was glorious!), I am back in the classroom.  I am teaching only four courses this semester.  Wait, go back and read that again.  Yes--that's right, only four courses!  It's just so exhilarating!  Before you start to wonder what I'll be doing with all my free time, I ought also to announce that I have been accepted to the University of Birmingham (UK)'s full-time, distance learning PhD program in English Literature and Creative Writing.  I begin my doctoral studies this week!

Now, back to the teaching side of my life.

This semester's courses include two sections of ENG 120: Composition, one section of ENG 201: Research & Applied Writing, and one section of ENG 262: World Lit. II (Poetry & Drama).  One of my ENG 120 sections will read The Hunger Games and the other will read Ender's Game (assuming the post office does not lose yet a second order of 25 copies of the novel!).  My one section of ENG 120 in the Fall absolutely loved reading The Hunger Games (and subsequently, watching Jennifer Lawrence rock the screen as Katniss) and pitched a fit when I wondered aloud if I should choose a different book for my Spring sections.  I listened.

Unfortunately, the silver screen debut of Ender's Game is not until November this year (whomp, whomp, whoooooomp...), so I'm not sure what I'll do during the week I will show the other class the film of The Hunger Games--I may just show the movie in both classes.  After all, the novels have similar themes: the use of children by adults, war, ethical and moral struggles, etc. 

I will do my best to post weekly updates...but if I don't, it's only because time will again have gotten away from me.