It's Lit

Starting with Little, Nearby Things I really like the idea of writing about things that you can physically see near you. I want to work with high schoolers and I know that not all of them may be motivated to write. Asking them to think about abstract ideas may cause students to be discouraged in trying to find a topic to write about. But I believe that if they have to write about something they can physically see in the classroom, it may make the writing process easier to start. It will also require students to think more creatively about random items they are to write about, say, a whiteboard eraser or a  chair . They will learn how to write about things that may or may not have a significant value to them. This activity will challenge they to learn more about a certain object they have seen and known for years. I believe this will also encourage them to write more outside the classroom, because they can apply these same skills anywhere.  Writing into the Fact That the Pr...

9 a.m. Busyness. Fast-paced, heart-racing speed. No brakes to stop. Anxious. To-do list. 11 a.m. Ringing phone and emails. Constant interruptions. Five minutes of focus until...a break in the silence. 12 p.m. I can't think. Too many work-filled files that don't fit in my single cabinet of time. 12:30 p.m. Lunch. Laughing until I cry because I'm hysterical. Exhaustion sets in. I need coffee. Something to get through the rest of the day. Wisdom teeth videos. To take my focus off my worries. I laugh. Luke laughs. A short walk outside. 1:30 p.m. Back to work. Planning. Creating interview folders. 3 p.m. Writing prompt that made my day. Printing, copying. Scheduling an event. Welcoming guests. 4 p.m. Phone call. Feelings of uneasiness race back in. Seek advice. Send an email. Papers everywhere. 5 p.m. Organizing exam. Check emails. Answer a few. 5:50pm Tidy up my area. Lock up. To-do list. Nothing checked off. Sigh. 6 p.m. Time to go home.

Book: "Speak" is a novel about a depressed girl, Melanie, who is entering her freshman year in high school with  a secret nobody knows. The author, for the majority of the book, hints about an event that took place at a party that changed Melanie forever. This is also the same event that caused her to lose all of her closest friends.The story is written from Melanie's point of view, describing the thoughts in her head about her teachers, peers, and parents. The author is able to tell the story using vivid figurative language so that readers can picture what is going on in the story. Melanie apathetically goes through the school year performing worse in classes as the year progresses. Her teachers are all strange though they all exhibit a passion for the subject they teach. The one class she does enjoy is Art where her teacher, Mr. Freeman, encourages her to use her emotions as inspiration for the tree she is developing. She befriends a girl, Heather, at the start of schoo...

The most ideal reading experience I could possibly have would include first, and foremost, focus. When I can zero in on a book I am content and happy. Generally when I am in a good reading spot, sitting in one place for hours is natural and enjoyable. In this time, I am fully engaged in a book and can actually visualize everything that I am reading. Alertness is also necessary for a great reading experience where energy can help me to stay attentive to the details. Time is also important because I do not like to rush through reading. I carefully try to understand and reflect on the reading from the beginning to the end. A utensil, preferably a pencil, allows me to process better through my reading; so I would not leave it out unless I am forced to do it (i.e. borrowing Dr. Giles book was hard because I desperately wanted to write in it. Her name in the front reminded me to resist the urge). These are really the only things I need to have the best reading experience because the book tak...

Autumn A little girl was I Soaking in the golden rays  My shadow hid beneath me As I lay still on the ground  Face towards the irresistible bright light. Red, orange, and yellow hues Clothed the dull, flat land. Pecans fallen, trees bare, laughter whistled in the wind.  Two, three, four playmates Dancing like acrobats  On her grandma's trampoline.   Dark like night it was The texture a wet rubber duck  Smooth to the touch But quick to slip. I watched my siblings play Its leathery skin  Conformed to their bodies For a moment only to be Propelled like pretzels Tangled brown pieces in the air. Now the day was cool The sun leveled to my height And only two remained to play Myself and my brother.  But it had been fifteen minutes before it was time to go inside.      

As I think back to my personal experiences in my English classes, most of them were positive. Beginning in the sixth grade, I had a delightful teacher named Mrs. Fehrenbacher who exhibited her passion for English very boldly. She invested in me personally as we exchanged our interests in literature. She introduced me to Agatha Christie books. I loved the way she raved about the mystery and suspense. When I began reading those books, I was astonished by the way the author controlled my mind to craft vivid images contrasting the colorless words on each dull, yellowish page. Mrs. Fehrenbacher revealed to me the love I already had for English. She also introduced me to good poetry. It was this year that I joined the poetry club, despite what other kids thought of me. She encouraged the students in the club to also go to poetry slams outside of the school setting. It was easy to learn in her class because she shared her love for the subject to inspire and identify my passion for it as well...