Though this picture is over 50 years old now, it still provides me with something new...I was born to wear hats...no, no, no....Time Marches On! and with it the chance to change, grow, and evolve each passing year. Yes, like everyone else, I'm happy to see 2020 go and 2021 arrive. Happy to see my students change, grow, evolve.
Freshmen have finished reading Fahrenheit 451 and are turning in Literary Analysis in the form of Theme Paragraphs. And we're examining over 50 different Bradbury book covers in order to write about how theme is revealed visually. Next month, students will put away their Analysis Hats and put on their Creative Writing Hats! I'll share a bit of my own in-progress novel, showing that teachers can wear creative writing hats, too.
My Juniors in Rhetoric are turning in their Tweet Performance Task Projects. They're demonstrating their understanding of logical fallacies, the danger of disinformation, and the skill of research. Next month, we'll delve into the uber exciting world of....grammar. I know, I know, how will they contain themselves? But gleaning more about sentence structure will not only improve their lot in life, but also help others. Writing well, in college or on the job, can do that.
The Lyric class has gone musical and is turning in their individual song. It's been a meaningful stretch of writing for Seniors who have been learning about choruses, verses, bridges, and refrains. I've had fun sharing 'older' songs they might not of heard (Dan Fogelberg, anyone?) and they've introduced me to new music. Next month, it's time to dig deeper into songwriting and the writers who call it their profession.
The hats may change, but I always wear a smile when I teach. It's a great part of my day when I know my purpose and feel the possibility for change, growth, and evolution. Bring it on, 2021.
In the meantime, I'm going to keep wearing a hat...in order to keep my 'percolating ideas' warm.