Suggestion Box

It's settled! I begin planning for my lessons A.S.A.P.

Today, CT and I voiced our displeasure with Things Fall Apart and, while I was a little nervous about doing so, there was no reason to be afraid. Our comments conjured up an agreeable sparkle in our colleague's blue eyes accompanied by a half-smirk that revealed her similar sentiments. So, the plan as of now is to teach whatever I would like to. [deep breath]

While this new assignment made me grin like the 9th grade girls who just landed a position on the JV Pep Squad, it also made my head spin. Making a decision to teach whatever I want is as hard of a decision as picking my favorite sugar cereal, or my favorite Will Oldham song...
I know that I have to cover some African literature, which I plan to tackle with short stories and poetry. I will need to spend no more than two weeks on that. Following those last two weeks of African Literature, the kids will begin a research project that I do not have any say in. It is being planned by the Social Studies Department. It will be my job, not to aid in picking a topic of research, but to help students write their papers. I am thinking that the paper will be a social action research paper, or at least hoping so, and I want to spend my weeks of teaching focusing on social issues/social injustices, which is probably not a surprise to those of you who know me well.
I am at a bit of a crossroads now though. On one side, I want to write! I want those kids to think of themselves as writers, to feel comfortable with their words, and to own their creativity. Then, I have about four weeks to teach whatever I want. ? Flannery O'Connor, yes. Maya Angleou, yes. Feminist Literature, yes. How can I, in 45 minutes have students do all of the things that I want for them to do?

I have not thought of an all-encompassing "title" for this unit that CT and I are currently working on piecing together. I have another week and plenty of material saved up, but this is REAL. I have created hypothetical units and lessons, but this is REAL. Suggestions people?

I am almost finished with The Kite Runner. I may even finish tonight. For this to be Hosseini's first novel, it is really impressive. I recommend it and I don't even know the ending yet.

Tomorrow, and the next 12 Fridays, my students will be working with their Talented and Gifted teacher. Tomorrow, comfort, in the form of jeans. will be carrying me through the day and ending my second full week of being a "teacher."