Revisiting a Classic

We are at the end of the quarter, or rather very near it. Only 3 days left (including today) and 1st quarter is complete, only 3 to go. I feel the school year is flying back, even faster than the last few years. I wonder if it is because I am (dare I say it?) enjoying my job quite a bit more than the previous years. Don't get me wrong, I liked teaching English 11, but I feel I have found my fit, my niche. After that introduction, off to another whimsical anecdote straight out of junior high.

My 7th grade speech class (this is the 2nd rotation) is off to a great start in writing their 3 point speeches. They have graphic organizers to help them write for structure, as well as an explanation page of what needs to go in the speech, along with their speech on note cards. I gave them paperclips to hold all these materials together as I keep their items in a folder in class (to avoid the "but I forgot all my materials at home AGAIN!"). During the 1st rotation, I did the same thing with my students but on the day the paperclips were given, one student formed it into a projectile, threw it across the room, missed his target and hit me square in the right lens of my glasses (I don't often wear my glasses). I was furious, and the 7th grade saw the first ever (and only) explosion into Ms. Incredible Hulk. No there was no destruction, just some yelling about throwing things, "shooting your eye out" business. Needless to say, when I handed out these paperclips I very carefully explained how a paperclip is to be used, to stay on their papers, and never ever be turned into anything but a paperclip. I never thought I would have to explain paper clip use, but this is just another thing I have learned from 7th grade. Oh, and avoid offering the suggest of using rubberbands, that is a whole different story. They keep me on my toes!

On to the reviews:

I revisited a classic last week: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. I don't recall ever reading this one before, but all our 9th grade read it for class so I thought I better know what is going on in case they ever need help. The main character, Charlie Gordon, has learning disabilities and a low I.Q. He is in his 30s, has worked janitorial jobs in a friend of his Uncle's bakery for the last 15 (?) years. We get all our information as we read Charlie's "Progress Reports." They are journal entries where he details his thoughts, feeling, etc. The spelling/grammar is terrible in the beginning entries as Charlie always struggled to learn and does not retain information well. We learn that he is signed up to do a scientific research experiment where he will me made "smart." A lab rat named Algernon underwent the same experiment and was able to raise his intelligence, which is why they wanted to test a human subject. As Charlie's intelligence increases, we learn of the despicable home life he had (by his mother and sister), how those he thought of as his friends were often laughing at him and taking advantage of him, and generalities on how society often views those with disabilities. As his learning increases, you see the change in his progress reports in mechanics, how relationships, change. I thought it was a very poignant story as it makes us look into our own biases as we see how things change for Charlie. Eventually Charlie far surpasses the intelligence of those around him, taking the lead on research of his own experiment, but his time is limited. I found the ending to be very sad, but I won't go into any more detail as it is worth a read and spoilers and never any fun. I know that students often complain about the books they have to read, but I enjoyed Flowers for Algernon, it made me feel a range of emotions and tells much about the human spirit and psyche.

I also read a fantastic YA lit book called Wonder Struck by Brian Selznick. This is the same author who wrote The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which one a Caldecott medal (award for illustrations). Like with Hugo, this book has fantastic illustrations, pencil shade drawings that left me feeling like I would have smudges all over the pages and my fingers. They contain such great detail that as a reader you spend just as much time looking at the page as you would reading a page. This story follows Ben, whom just lost his mother and is searching for his father (whom he never met). This is written out, we also see the story of a girl named Rose, told through the illustrations. Ben discovers that his father lived in New York through some clues he found in his mother's room. The night he find's these, he picks up a phone to call the number of a bookstore given to his mother by his father. Lightning strikes the house at this same moment, causing the already deaf in one ear Ben to go deaf in the other. He still runs away from home to make his journey to NYC. Through the illustrations we see Rose also run to NYC and both end up at the Museum of Natural History. The parallel stories will eventually intertwine, revealing a heartwarming ending that satisfied. Writing was great, illustrations were superb, worth reading.

Middle School Antics

This year I picked up a section of 7th grade speech. This is an exploratory class, so I see every 7th grade student in 6 week rotations. These grades don't count in their GPAs, but are simply to give them a taste of some electives. I wasn't completely excited to teach 7th grade as the last three year I taught English 11 (juniors) and didn't have too much desire to teach middle school; however, I was willing to give it a try.

Wow- middle school students have ENERGY! I can't imagine going through that class several times a day, once in the day leaves me exhausted. And surprisingly they are willing to try, they try doing the crazy warm ups, modeling of activities and other games I incorporate into speech. (This is something I didn't experience with high school, some tried- most complained.) Yet, what I hadn't realized when I started teaching is how much you most go over rules- everyday! I didn't know that when we discussed how an oral interp of drama means no touching and they get their scripts, I would have to again explain that no, you can't really pull her hair. I haven't confiscated this many rubber bands or projectile paper clips in my life. And, new to me, I never realized I would have to ask the boys to get their arms out of their shirts and stop pretending to be T-Rexes. (Yet, I was giggling on the inside as they did look funny). I am into the 2nd week of my 2nd rotation, and while I never planned to teach 7th grade, I must say they keep me on my toes and give me some slight invigoration.

On to the book review:

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman

This was the last of the Golden Sower nominees that I needed to read, and it ties for one of my favorites. Bruiser is told through the eyes of 4 characters: Tennyson and Bronte (twin brother and sister), Bruiser (Brewster) and Cody (Brewster's brother). Tennyson and Bronte don't sound like your average 15 year old students, but their parents are both English professors, so I can imagine that vocabulary development was important. I feel like the writing was captivating as we were able to see the scenes through the eyes of these characters and get different perspectives. Bruiser's perspective is written in verse, and you will see why when you read the book.  Bronte begins dating Bruiser (whom has a bad reputation) which irks Tennyson- so he begins to follow Bruiser. Tennyson sees that Bruiser's home life is terrible and even finds out a secret about his life, even accepting Bronte and Bruiser's relationship. The book takes on an almost "Green Mile" feel (John Coffee's character) when we learn about Bruiser's amazing secret. I found that it seemed realistic to how a person might take advantage of someone if they had the power's Bruiser has, and Shusterman chronicled the ways we use and abuse those we love well.

All in all, it was a great book and would appeal to young adults and adults alike.