Fantasy/Science Fiction

As we start reading Blake Crouch's Dark Matter, my students are going to be replying to the following questions, so I thought I would respond as well.

• Do you like to read fantasy or science fiction? Why or why not?
• What fantasy or science fiction location from a novel (or movie) is your favorite? Would you want to go there yourself? Why or why not?

I love to read fantasy. As a kid, I felt like reading was a great escape from everyday life. I appreciated the opportunity to leave the ordinary behind and experience life in someone else's shoes. It was even better if those shoes were worn by a hobbit trying to reclaim a mountain, a group of children getting lost in a wardrobe, or a neglected girl who discovers telekinetic abilities. If you're going to read and experience something new, why not make it amazing and extraordinary? Now, when I write, most of my ideas do involve some type of fantastical element because it lends more possibilities. Fantasy just has so much to offer!

If I could go anywhere, it would hands down have to be Hogwarts. I love the wizarding school, and I prayed for a letter of acceptance that never came on my eleventh birthday. As described by J.K. Rowling, the world of Hogwarts is an insanely cool building with magical rooms, magical creatures, and tons of mystery, history, and intrigue. Of course, it also helps that if I were to be there, I'd get to learn magic and charms. Who wants to walk across the room for food when you can summon it right over. Accio, Double Stuff!

 

Hogwarts seems to be an obvious choice, but I would like to share the possibility of a different location as well: Brakebills Academy. This is the setting for Lev Grossman's The Magicians, which is now a trilogy. Brakebills is a magical college that actually have applications and entrance tests. What's nice about this location instead of Hogwarts is the real life possibility. I have a much better chance of going here than Hogwarts. In order to be a magician in this series, one just needs to be super smart and open-minded. All of magic in their world can be learned through study and practice to unlock what the universe has to offer. Memorize some hand gestures, learn some gestures, and study some old books, and there you have it! Brakebills also has it's own fun magical elements from hidden passageways to live-action animal topiaries in the garden. If Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia had a baby and that baby went to college, you would get The Magicians. 

Infographic Debates 2023

 Now that the infographics have been made, it's time to pick a winner for each debate!

Check out these debates below, review their arguments, and vote for the winner by completing the survey at the bottom of this post.

1. Should marijuana be legalized?
    YES: William
    NO: Noah

2. Are movies and television "too white"?
    YES: Caden
    NO: Jaxson

3. Is prom worth it? (Should you go to prom?)
    YES: Devin
    NO: Gregory

4. Do businesses have a right to refuse service to same-sex couples?
    YES: Alistair (Part 1, Part 2)
    NO: Adam

5. Are curse words still offensive?
    YES: John
    NO: Jean

Use THIS LINK to vote for the winner of each debate. Results will be announced when all votes are collected.

Narrators

Today, I am asking my students to reflect on their favorite narration. We will be reading Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain. It's a great family story, but it is unique in the sense that it is told from the point of view of the family dog. Their favorite narrator can be a first-person narrator that is a character in the novel, or it can just be a novel whose third-person perspective is unique or clever.

1. Who is your favorite narrator? What is your favorite narration?
2. Tell readers about the novel and the narration.
3. Why is this your favorite? Why might others appreciate it as well?

One of my favorite narrators is definitely Budo from Matthew Dicks's Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend. In Dicks's novel, imaginary friends are real. Not only are they real, but they can also interact with every other imaginary friend. In a world where imagination is real, Budo is an excellent tour guide. Budo is the imaginary friend of the autistic Max. Since imaginary friends are exactly how their child sees them, Budo is a very smart humanoid who can walk through doors and can exist in a space without Max. Other imaginary friends are not so lucky. Some are two dimensional, while others are freakish creations. While others are restricted to exist with their child, Budo has the luxury of walking around town while Max is asleep. He can visit gas stations and hospitals observing human life and checking out imaginary friend support groups for those whose children are sick and dying in the pediatric ward. Budo is also rare in the fact that he is the oldest imaginary friend. Max has had him for years. Most do not last as long since their children gradually do not need them any more and disappear. Budo has even witnessed imaginary friends come and go in as short as ten minutes.

Budo is my favorite because he offers a unique perspective on life. He mostly spends time with Max, who is unable to communicate for himself due to his autism. Budo is there to help Max cope. While simple things like which flavor popsicle can launch Max into a panic, Budo is there to whisper into his ear that blue is the best option. From coping with bullies to taking spelling tests, Max relies on Budo, which is why Budo is able to exist so much longer than his fellow imaginary friends. However, when Max gets kidnapped, the tables are turned. Budo knows that Max will keep him in existence forever, but is that worth keeping Max away from his family? Or will Budo help Max escape, meaning that Max might learn that he can help himself and therefore not need Budo anymore?

Matthew Dicks's narrator is one of my favorites. It's a great viewpoint into a fantasy world while also staying rooted in contemporary life. It's a great read for anyone. This is one of the few books that ever made me cry because it was over.

Book Reviews (Repeat)

 [Full Disclosure: This is a repeat post from the previous school year.]

Having finished reading their first novel of the semester for this course, it is now time for the students to write their first book review. The students will review Robin Sloan's Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. Each book review will start with a summary, include two parts of the novel to evaluate (not just analyze - evaluate), and finally give their overall recommendation. The evaluation part seems to be the hardest for my students because they are not used to using stuff like theme and characterization to express their opinion, only literary analysis. To help, I created one body paragraph that might serve as an example for my students. (FYI: I do not agree with this evaluation, but I thought it would be fun to branch outside of my comfort zone.)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone suffers because of its negative theme for children. When tracking down a rogue professor who means to steal a magical item that promises eternal life, the main characters Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger follow him down a trapdoor. This path leads them to a series of challenges that guard the stone. The first task is a strangling plant known as the Devil’s Snare. Harry and Ron are trapped, but Hermione is free to help. She remembers that this plant hates light, but she does not have the resources to start a fire. Ron shouts, “ARE YOU MAD? ... ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?”(278). Hermione remembers she has a magic wand, makes some fire and saves the day. The lesson here, obviously, is that no one needs hard work because magic will always be there to save the day. This is a horrible lesson to teach the youth of America because it will only create a generation of lazy individuals who wait around for a Hogwarts letter instead of actually trying in school and getting into a good college. Humans need to face their problems head on in this life, and thinking that there is a magical resource to come and save you is dangerous. Humans need to be in control of their own life and do what it takes to achieve goals in the real world. The unrealistic message of this book to its readers makes it a poor choice.

I used theme as one of my main topics to evaluate this novel. Yes, I had to analyze the theme and say what the author's main message was, but I continued to use that as an evaluation tool for whether the book is good or bad. This extra step is crucial in writing a book review. For more information, please check out the directions on MUDJ and the grading rubric included in the directions.

[New Resources]

1. Good Book Review explanation
2. Bad Book Review explanation
3. Sample student book review on The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (36.5/40)

Book The Flight, Take the Trip

 

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Ask any teacher for their favorite season, and the majority will give you the same answer: summer. Summer is a time of rest, relaxation, and recharging. It is also a time of freedom – freedom from students, freedom from responsibilities, freedom from the constant effort that this career choice requires. If it weren’t for summer, teachers across the nation would be even more burnt out that they already are. (Not so) Fun facts: Up to 30% of new teachers quit their job within five years of teaching. Those who stay in the career average 53 hours per week during the ten-month school year, which is more total hours than those who work 40 hours a week all year. Most teachers don’t take the summer off, though, as they still need to make ends meet during the two months they are unemployed.

Until recently, I taught summer school during those two months. I even served as summer school principal for five years, meaning there was no down-time to recharge at all. I just went straight into the next school year whether my batteries were charged or not. Most years, they were not, which always made for an interesting beginning to the school year to say the least.

In 2019, I took an amazing 10-day trip to Europe with my friend Isabelle. We were able to time it for exactly when summer school ended. I returned on the Sunday before going back to work. There’s nothing like traveling for an entire day, and then heading straight into a faculty meeting the next morning.

That trip was an amazing experience, and I wanted more of that feeling. There were some tour group experiences that caught my eye, but I couldn’t attend any of them because their days and length never matched up with when I was free between summer programs. If I was going to continue in my summer positions, then there was no way I could ever enjoy these experiences I’d started dreaming about.

That’s when I took a step back and realized that my entire life was wrapped up in my career. There wasn’t much about who I was and what I did that wasn’t connected to school, teaching, or extra-curriculars. I wasn’t okay with that. I needed some more variety in my life. This revelation came while school administration was starting to pile more responsibilities on my plate because no one really understood what my role meant to be summer school principal. Everything was lining up perfectly toward the same decision: leave summer school and go live your life.

In J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Fellowship of the Ring, the wizard Gandalf says, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Summer vacation is a precious time to teachers, and I was foolishly filling it with activities that would further drain my batteries instead of recharge them. This would change.

In 2022, I spent an amazing three weeks exploring England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Wales. I met some amazing people on that tour group that I am still friends with and talk to on Instagram. The same is true of my recent 2023 trip to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. I had some amazing experiences and formed some real bonds with my fellow travelers.

Now, when I look back on my summers, I don’t see the constant work and weighty responsibilities. I see smiles and citi
es and cinnamon rolls. When I look toward the end of the school year, I don’t dread another round of even more constant work. Instead, there is a light at the end of the tunnel full of possibilities and adventure.

I choose to use the time that is given to me to live my life and gather as many new experiences as possible. That’s why, if given the opportunity, I’m always going to choose to book that flight and to take that trip. Isn’t that why I have a job with a paycheck in the first place? I choose to work to live rather than live to work.

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For other examples of "This I Believe" blog posts, check out these links to some past favorites:

1. Unmade Beds (Mr. Davidson, 2017)

2. Millennials (Mr. Davidson, 2016)

3. Rock and Roll (Evan, 2015)

4.. Detroit (Ryan, 2015)

5. Getting Lost (Mr. Davidson, 2019)

You can also check out even more examples at the official website for the program: thisibelieve.org

Literacy Project Examples for 2023 Students

Today, I am assigning the literacy program project. This project's goal is to help inspire reading, either through a poster campaign, a social media campaign, or a video commercial. However, before students can begin their projects, they must write a proposal and get them approved, just like in a real job.

The proposals should answer questions like:

• Video commercial: Why have you chosen this option for yourself? Why is this a good way to reach the students? What will the video be of? What will happen? What will it look like? What type of information will it include? Are there characters? Will there be text? Do you have a special plan for colors? For sounds? For editing techniques? How and where will this video be seen?
•  Poster campaign: Why have you chosen this option for yourself? Why is this a good way to reach the students? What will your posters look like? Will they all be the same or will it be a series of posters? What information will the posters include? Will it have images? Text? How many posters will be made? Where will they be posted? Will they all appear at the same time?
• Social media campaign: Why have you chosen this option for yourself? Why is this a good way to reach the students? What platform will you use? How many posts will there be? What will the posts say? Will there be a hash tag (and what will it be and why)? Will there be any links to images, websites or videos? Why those sources? When will these posts be shared and why at those days and times?

Here are some examples of finished projects and their owner's proposals. Not every student got 100%, but it might be helpful to get you started.

RYAN: Poster Campaign

Ryan's Proposal: Click Here

ALEX: Twitter Campaign

Reading is cool! Retweet if you agree! Don't believe me? Take a look at some of these really life celebrities enjoying books! #ReadingIsCool

— Alex Toma (@alextoma1234) September 14, 2015

Alex's Proposal: Click Here

TEDDY: Video Commercial


Teddy's Proposal: Click Here (unavailable link)

I can't wait to read all of this year's proposals on the student blogs on Thursday!

Reading Reflection

This morning, I am asking my Contemporary Literature juniors and seniors to reflect on these questions, so I thought I would join them as well.

Reflection Questions
1. What has your English class experience been like so far?
2. What has your reading experience been like so far? (inside and/or outside of school)
3. What are you hoping to gain by taking this class?

English class has always been one of my favorite classes. From Zybard and Currier at St. Hugo of the Hills School to Carapellotti at U of D Jesuit High School and beyond to professors at U of M, these teachers always made their classroom a great place to learn, study, and discuss reading and writing. Now, that's not to say that every class was an out-of-body experience, because they weren't. I remember struggling through some topics in high school and college, eventually leading me to become a master at writing essays without ever opening the book (to the envy of all my stressed and struggling friends). My Masters program at Madonna University? I earned a 4.0 without really using the textbooks. But those teachers who made me love the novels we read, those are the ones who had the most influence over me and my decision to become a teacher.

I've always been a reader. I remember back to the elementary school days with standardized testing; you always needed to have a novel with you for if you finished early. Back in the day, my mom would even take us to the library for books. I distinctly remember sitting on the couch with my two younger sisters as she read Roald Dahl's Matilda to us. And then when Harry Potter arrived on the scene? Look out! I ate those up as fast as J.K. Rowling could publish them. I don't ever remember being as excited for a new book like those ones. Gradually, though, I became busy with required reading for school. Harry Potter was replaced with older "canonical" titles that I couldn't understand or couldn't catch my interest. Or, being an English major, the amount of the required reading for classes was too cumbersome to allow for me to actually enjoy it. It wasn't until my student teaching experience at Orchard Lake Middle School, when I saw all of these sixth graders reading novels of choice, that I was reinvigorated to start reading again. Hunger Games and Percy Jackson were amazing and eventually transitioned to summers making my way through a never-ending "to read" list including novels like Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and The Martian. I enjoy that I've found the time and methods to include my own reading of choice in my life, even if it does mean co-reading it along with reading for my high schoolers. Reading rocks!

I'm super happy that this Contemporary Literature elective that I started is now back in session after a few years off. I'm looking forward to an intimate class with ten students. It'll be like a fun book club that meets every second period. My hope is that by reading good current novels, some of the high school students who have turned out like me (avoiding reading and finding the easy way out) will see how awesome reading is again and re-dedicate themselves to actually reading books from cover to cover. Well, for my class at least. Got to start somewhere!