Thursday, July 30, 2020

Read the Chapter



Because I'm covering the English class, it was decided that we'd read a book. 

(Apologies for the passive voice. It's a bit weird to explain the whole thing, so I'm just going to leave it at that.) 

We started The Outsiders

Because we were sort of changing up class half way through, and because I knew what sort of classes these were, I was expecting a whole lot of not-having-done-the-reading. I mean, I warned them on Thursday that there would be reading, and I told them to look for the assignment on Friday. It wasn't like they didn't have a heads up. 

So, I planned to do some prelim stuff on Tuesday. I could introduce the book. I could give them some information that would help them as they read chapter one. (If we were meeting in person, we would have read it together in class.) 

The first group on Tuesday was as expected. They hadn't done the reading. And what I'd prepared went very well. 

The second group... 

Ronan had done the reading. He had the book in front of him. Massey hadn't read the book for class (as he had missed Thursday and didn't know we'd be reading), but he remembered it from reading it in middle school. He informed us that it was one of his favorite books. 

Uh... 

(There was a third boy in class. He hadn't read the book.) 

I mean, I had questions for the chapter and all, but I had planned on prelim. And keeping the classes at the same pace seemed to be for the best... 

It's kind of fun to have a class discussion of a book that they've read. And Massey lobbied the third boy hard on it being a worthwhile read. 

Now I know to expect them to be ready. This will be fun...

22 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Alas, things didn't go as well for chapter 2...

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  2. They're probably a lot more likely to listen to each other than a teacher!

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  3. Great! That ought to be a lively discussion.

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  4. I loved that book and her other books as well.

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  5. Two out of three isn't bad! Massey sounds like a good help.

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  6. That's a good book. I hope the lobbying worked!

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    1. He didn't show up for the next class, so no?

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  7. Excellent. Having some enthusiastic readers helps a lot.

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  8. Oh dear, sounds like the sequel to this post won't be as optimistic. You win some, you lose more than some - seems that's the way life works, sometimes.

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    Replies
    1. Chapter 2 went fairly well. As well as could be expected. I'm pleased.

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  9. That's great that you have some enthusiastic readers - especially as they are boys. Hopefully it will rub off on the third boy. And if kids are excited about the book they will be more inclined to do the work.

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  10. Seems like you are somewhat enjoying teaching the class? Hope there will be lots of stories to share with us. I'm fascinated about the whole online learning and how it will go so tell away!

    betty

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  11. Hi Liz - sounds an interesting time ... but so frustrating with the weekly event. I hadn't heard of the book - but seems to be able to engage them - at least for one lesson.

    Take care - Hilary

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  12. Glad it's gone well. I guess it is a bit of a challenge to keep the class engaged when it's online.

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  13. Oh, I hope you all have fun with this. :)

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    Replies
    1. I knew we weren't going to get very far. But two chapters isn't bad.

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  14. Does it help if a classmate tells them it's worth reading?

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    Replies
    1. I have no idea. I think they're more resistant to reading than can be overcome by good reviews, but what do I really know?

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