Concuss Much?

After all the talk of concussions lately, you would think, judging by today's class, that I had a concussion. You remember: the crazy photocopying, the mistaken timing of the class, and the endless rambling about the AP exam. Sorry - not my usual style, I hope. Well, the rambling is endless, I know, but hopefully it's informative most of the time. I promise the tutelage will be of better quality next day. 

Honestly, did it seem like the work with the workbook was really long to you? Sometimes, it is particularly painful to hear yourself boring your students. My inner voice is yelling, "Stop! Now!" The trouble is, I know in theory you could read the test prep book by yourselves and study by yourselves and make a plan by yourselves, but, and don't be offended by this, I am not sure all of you would be equally motivated to do so. And I want you to get your money's worth. That study guide is good, but you actually have to open it - a lot - to reap the full benefits. You see my point? 

About your essays: By now, you should have a goodly amount of writing done. But that does not mean you are close to being finished; sadly, far from it. Now is the time to start getting out the axe: could the sentence have 10 words instead of 12? Does the word "that" really need to be there? (The answer is: almost never.) Are you repeating ideas, phrases, or various events? Should paragraph 1 be paragraph 3 and vice versa? Do you need some short sentences? Also, and this is tough, but maybe you just need to do some heavy, painful revision and cutting of certain paragraphs of your brilliance. Yes, it may be brilliant, but does it need to be there? Is it helping your cause? Is it the best you've got?

I looked over one student's essay today, and gave some general suggestions, so despite the fact that it is hugely time-consuming, I will offer to do the same for all of you. I will try to structure the next few classes so I can consult with you individually. The upshot of all of this is that (see? not needed) you will go through the complete writing process, so that (again - extraneous) you can do this with skill about a million times in the next four or five years at post-secondary. (Once again, something I can tell you to do that I no longer have to. There are some perks to this job!)

As for Glee, I will not ruin it for you this week, Stephanie. But Ola, Ricky Martin! Usted es atractivo! -although, probably not entirely appropriate as a secondary educator. 

Ciao! 

Homework: Please complete the re-photocopied critical essays and questions about The Catcher in the Rye for Thursday.