feverish

No one is ill. Skin is flushed and emitting heat from concentrated effort in my classroom. Research is heading to close next week, and nearly every student has committed his and her efforts in accomplishing this task. Piles of outlines and rough draft has followed closely beside me everywhere I trek. More important than the basic writing and grammar skills is the level of thinking that's taking place. The students are learning, reading, analyzing, and challenging obstacles and issues that surround them. They are bringing those thoughts and discussions to the classroom, home, and even on Facebook! Initial goal - met.

What new task did I seek and apply this week in my classroom? A task that made sense, that stemmed from a morning conversation with one of our most impressive English teachers in the department: when reading rough drafts (after they have been self-proofread, peer-edited, and proofread with another adult), read and offer feedback on only introduction, one body paragraph of student's choice, and conclusion. The feedback will most likely resonate to the unread paragraphs as well, and this allows students to learn how to apply the feedback and make additional corrections. It also offers a more manageable task when reading 105 essays.

Extra credit points for early submissions brought approximately 15 research papers and packets to my desk yesterday. This allows me the weekend to assess this set before the official due date and minimizing the upcoming tower by just a bit.

What did they research? a malleable or non-malleable obstacle in one or more of the communities surrounding them. They researched the obstacle of their choice, its effects on a thriving community, steps taken to tend to this obstacle, and propositions for reform. Specifically, they examined stem cell research, corporal punishment and discipline, texting and driving, prescription drug abuse, cultures' roles on women's rights, eating disorders, boyfriend/girlfriend abuse, loss of basic skills with evolution of technology, Walker Bill, effects of protesting, effects of sound pollution on our environment, overpopulation, psychological and biological effects of drug abuse on teens, ADHD, and more.

How do these issues change for the better? Education. Presentations start on Tuesday using Glogster, Prezi, Capzles, videos, or Power Points. Hopefully, the fever will spread.