1. Discussion Time
The kids have now read 10 of the 15 chapters in this book. They get it (mostly), they're reading it (mostly), and they seem to like it (mostly). Instead of sitting as a whole class and discussing today, I had the kids work in small groups. This was purposeful. I can tell, when we talk as a class, that they want me to GIVE them an answer. I keep having to drill into their heads that with literature, there is not RIGHT answer as long as you can back up your ideas with the text. The other reason I wanted to do it as small groups was because there were a lot of things to talk about, and not enough time.
The groups did pretty well. There were 4 of them, and they answered 1 question each. After about 20 minutes, we came back as a large group and the smaller groups reported out. The kids had a chance to add their two cents and I got to add my quarter. I was really impressed with SOME of the answers. They seem to be really "getting" the characters in this book, and I'm not surprised. One of the marvelous things about WT is that each character, though exaggerated in some ways, is believable. The kids can all find someone to whom they relate, which keeps them engaged in the book. It also makes them feel invested, at least that's my hope.
2. Bearing it All - for the discussion
I realize that the previous paragraphs covered the class discussion, however, something significant came up.
During these chapters Andy Mott becomes a pretty significant presence. He's one of the most intense characters I've ever read, and I love him. One of the things that came up during the discussion, from the kids, is that Andy's role on the team is as the challenger. He challenges the rest of the characters to BE better, to see things differently, and to be careful what assumptions they make. He does this during "cocoon like" bus rides to and from swim meets. These bus rides are when the team bonds - and that term doesn't truly capture the connection that these 7 boys and 2 coaches make.
One of the discussion questions asked the kids whether this kind of sharing (of REALLY personal stuff) is believable among virtual strangers. Among the points raised by the students were:
1. They aren't really strangers because they've been practicing and traveling for months
2. People aren't usually willing to share such horrific things about themselves
At this point, because it was the final question, we were short on time. I needed the kids to leave understanding that there are people who would believably share that much of themselves. I spent the next five minutes recounting my personal belief about humans. The more extensive version can be found here (it's my learning autobiography for the Maine Writing Project). What I shared with kids was this:
I really believe that as humans we are here for each other. That when we go through things we need to share. It's easy for us to share the good things - the successes - because those make us proud. I believe that it's just as important to share the hardships. I'm open. Ask me a question, and I'll give you an answer because I don't feel like I have anything to hide. My Mom dying - I feel like I have a responsibility to share that story. I don't share it because I want to be depressing - it's the opposite. I want people to see that I made it through to the other side. If we don't share the hardships, how can we share the lessons we've learned? I wouldn't want to go through losing my mother again, but I do thing that that I am a better person for having survived that. Other people need to know so that they, too, can survive.
I am so passionate about that sentiment. I sometimes forget HOW passionate I am until I look out to 15 freshman faces, all wide-eyed and not one of them makes a sound. I could see the wheels turning in their heads, and I thought to myself, "This is it. This is what I'm supposed to me doing." And having read this post just before class, I was glad that I GET to teach these students.
3. I Love Grading WT Journals (this is it, I promise)
I love coming home from work and WANTING to read the things my students write. It's fabulous. In my last WT post, I mentioned that I had started getting mixed reviews. I still did. However, before they left class today I explained that they don't have to like every book. It's OK not to enjoy something, but you have to give it a chance. The thing that is funny about this class and this book is that most the "negative" journals begin and/or end like this:
I don't know Ms. Davis. I think this book is kind of boring. Why is it your favorite? I don't get it. BUT, I do really love reading about the characters' stories.
I actually explained to the class that this book is unique. It isn't driven by plot events; it's driven by the characters. I tried to show them (in the 3 minutes of class we had left) that if they like the stories of the characters, they do kind of like the book. That if they have an emotional response to a novel, the author has done his job. And, whoa nelly, has he in this book.
So, anyway. I got home tonight, walked the dog, fixed dinner, and sat down to treat myself (dead serious here, not sarcastic at all) to a dose of WT journals. Here are some of my favorite quotes - directly from OTHS Honors English Freshman (with commentary from yours truly):
"Carly is my favorite character hands down. She's independent, and wants to be independent. She doesn't want to count on other people, and that's the kind of person I want to be eventually." Whoa.
"The fact that I'm a hundred pages in and I don't know how the story is going to turn out makes a good book!" Oh, you have NO idea!
"Is it possible the point of this book is to show change? That these people can overcome all of these problems? The these letter jackets will change the school's opinion? Their prejudices?" I swear, he's in 9th grade.
"This book does a good job at breaking stereotypes." I concur! And it's believable breaking, at that!
"I don't want to admit it, but I am starting to really like this book." Mwuahahaha - sucked another one in!
And my favorite part of any journal to date, because it says what I could not seem to articulate ...
"I love how it is based on one simple thing, but it covers so much really deep information. From bullying to racism to obesity. You name it!"
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