All Good Things Must End.....

As the semester closes, so does the blogging for ENGL 223. Several of the students mentioned in Spring 2010 semester that they wanted to continue with their blogs and asked me if they could, but no one ever posted again. At first I was a little disappointed, but I understand that 'life' gets in the way of doing some things, and one thing that often goes is posting in a blog that, after all, was an assignment in a class. Even I stopped posting in that blog. But it was fun while it lasted, as this semester blogging has been.

I started to read the blogs from this semester on Thursday afternoon and evening, after my final session of ENGL 211 (at the Logansport Pizza Hut actually), and then finished them on Friday morning. What a task! I loved every minute, but combining the laugh-out-loud moments, the 'really?' thoughts, and trying to record everyone's original posts along with all of the responses, trying not to miss any--I breathed a sigh of relief that it was over. I hope to return and read them again this coming week and comment on some of the posts.

Was the blog assignments for midterm and final successful? I think so overall.

Some people took to blogging well. Others did not. Some thought of it as a chore, like laundry. It had to be done. A few saw it as a 'guilty pleasure.' Several used the forum to share personal writing or lines and passages from favorite authors. All of these allowed the blogs to be your own, to be personalized, which was one of the points of blogging.

Dana commented on the blog of one of the guys "'I like what you've done with the place.' (looking around)" Me too! Did you notice the different backgrounds and formats, the pictures and pieces of art that were included on some blogs?

Heather, Abby, and I had chatted about the discussion board comments on one of the most recent story selections. I was ready to post a response about how we, as readers, need to open our eyes to past history, to the treatment of people before our time, to realize the discrimination and the treatment of races and ethnic groups as well as the handicapped. Before I could do that, however, another student beat me to it.

Another student posted about the differences between the literature we began reading and the literature that was written in the 20th century. Different styles, different attitudes, different situations....why? Which did you prefer?

This online class has to be one of the best I have taught. One student commented that even though none of you really knew each other, you actually did. Before this class, I knew Kevin, James, Lindsey, Heather T., Christina, Dana, and Megan. Now I feel like I know the rest of you as well, even better than some of the students in my Logansport classes! We started with 20; we ended with 19; and most of you had high grades, which means you worked hard!

As we draw to a close, please remember that reading is fun, an escape, a way to explore, a way to learn, a way to relax. Moving out of one's comfort zone and reading new genres can create challenges! If you have learned anything this semester, I hope you learn that reading can take you places you have never been before, may never go again, and give you experiences that no one can take away from you.

Thank you for coming on this journey through literature with me. I hope our paths cross again.

Happy reading!

The Nook

In a few hours I will be leaving for Logansport to meet the rest of my group to then drive to Indianapolis where we will depart on our flight to Chicago, change planes, and then fly to Seattle. My husband used to joke that I had to lug my 'bag of books' with me on the plane and it was heavy! Whenever we flew anywhere, I took my books with me. My Vera Bag was always full of books. Sometimes I would pack one small duffel full of books.

No more. Now I have my Nook. I am ready for the flights there and back. I am ready for downtime, whenever that may happen. I am ready for some night reading before I fall asleep, for I have my Nook.

Do I still like the feel of a book in my hands? Of course. I am taking along my devotional book and another book I am reading. But my main source of reading material will be on my Nook.

What will I be reading? I started a book in the quilting series. This one has a historical flair to it, and I am anxious to see how, if at all, it fits into modern times. The other one I am excited about reading is, and the title is escaping me, about a lawyer and there is a new movie out based on the novel.

This will be the last trip for a while. The rest of the semester will be full with meetings, grading, classes, and finally graduation.

However, for the next few days---Phi Theta Kappa, Seattle, and my Nook! Woo Hoo!

Blogging on.....

The Final is posted in the Pods folders. First I can't believe that the end of the semester is just a few short weeks away. I dislike intensely the trite phrase "where did the time go" but it seems very applicable here.

((Yes, I know that Shakespeare is NOT American, but I like the picture and the caption.))

Last Saturday was a tedious day at my house. While my husband was watching basketball games and loving every minute of it,I was grading Gatsby assignments, discussion boards, and blogs. The best part for me was the blogs. What fun they were to read! I enjoyed each and every one.

For the last half of the semester, try to blog at least once a week. Make it a habit to write a post each Thursday (or whatever day you pick) and then read through the other blogs and make some comments. At 15 points an original post and 5 points for each response, you could rack up some extra points and have fun doing so. Time? About 30 minutes.

A new thing with this part of the semester is selecting one of the suggestions from the literature Pod and using it for a post. I will try to post ideas as they come to me. Each remaining Pod (including Gatsby) will have a folder with Blog suggestions. I invite you to make suggestions as well. Just send me a message and I can add your topic to the list.

Have fun with the blogging. Read what your fellow students have to say. Comment!

Happy Reading---and Blogging!

Gatsby Parties

Every time I taught Gatsby before Ivy Tech we would have "Gatsby parties."

During one of the discussions of Chapters 1, 2, and 3, we were talking about the similarities and differences, and someone mentioned that it would be fun if we could re-enact the parties. The wheels started to spin, and before we knew it, I was driving a West Central School Corporation van up and down 421 to not only Amanda's house, but also to Molly's house, then Julie's house for their group's depiction of each party. What fun we had! Amanda's mother had allowed the group to use the good china (brave woman she was). Molly's mom shooed everyone into the basement. Julie's mom had set up card tables all over the house. The other details I will leave to your imagination at this point. Suffice to say, however, that this group of gifted/talented students made an impression on all of their peers---and me!

This first adventure was after school hours. The next ones in the honors classes were not quite as elaborate as that first one. There were too many students to transport in one van with one driver (me). We had just 90 minutes from beginning to end. We used the school's cafegymatoriam(borrowing the term from Ray Barone) and the FACS room. As many groups go, some of the students participated; some didn't. Some enjoyed the activity; others complained and thought it was dumb.

I, for one, always think of that first set of Gatsby parties, the fun we had traveling like we were going to a progressive dinner, how well the students adapted to the roles they played, and the great learning experience that was born of the their discussion of Chapters 1, 2, and 3.

On Break~~

Writing from Gatlinburg tonight! My husband and I have been enjoying cool weather, sunshine, and smaller crowds roaming the streets than we usually encounter when we are here.

Literature related, huh? Ok.. here goes. I love my Nook, and one of the things I usually slack on during the semester is reading for pleasure. I started a new book in the car on Saturday afternoon and have nearly finished it. The title: Left Neglected. The author: Lisa Genova. I purchased the book while I was standing in Barnes and Noble in Lafayette last weekend after I had read the back cover and flipped through the text. I had no idea what I was really getting into with this one though. It has been a long time since I sat in a psychology class, so I didn't realize that Left Neglected was a term for one's left side being unresponsive to any type of stimulus or messages from the mind. It comes from a brain injury, which the main character received after a car accident caused by her inattention to traffic while trying to text and drive at the same time. From where I left off this morning, I have about 50 pages left to read. I think I know where the plot is heading; I hope I am not shocked by a different ending because the one in my mind is a happy one. We shall see.

Half way through....

As many say "I can't believe this is the halfway point of the semester!" Maybe others are saying "It's FINALLY that half way point of the semester!" Whatever works..but I must admit that while I am ready for a much needed break, I will be sad with THIS class ends. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the submissions, reading the conversations in Pronto, and sending messages back and forth with everyone.

Pronto! The hour flew by this week. I realized as I was grading submissions last night and this morning that we really just touched the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, in our discussion. I know someone kept mentioning Brooks and we never did get to her. Richard Cory is one of my favorites to discuss too. Could we have talked for two hours? Probably. Not realistically, though, because of children and other obligations. We have to take what we can get.

Putting together the Gatsby Pod was interesting. This is a new Pod for this semester, so I started from scratch. I finally just quit, even though I wanted to add more activities as possible selections. What I will add after break will be a list of possible Blog topics and some info in the resources folder in the Pod which I forgot to include last night.

I love all of the literary elements in Gatsby, so it will be interesting to see the responses to symbolism and the parties and the settings. The theme of the American Dream is so vivid in this novel, and the reflection of the times that Fitzgerald embraced is very evident. I hope all of you enjoy reading, or re-reading, the novel.

This blog post is the last official act for the first part of the semester. Even though all of the submissions and this week's entries in the discussion board are not read and graded (therefore the scoresheets are not finished), this wife has a husband who is patiently waiting for her to turn off the computer, pack some clothes, and head to Tennessee. And that is what I shall do.

Poetry--Love it? Hate it?

I spent yesterday and today reading submissions so far in the Poetry Pod. If you read my post yesterday, you know that poetry is not exactly my favorite genre, but it is one where I do have favorite selections. Reading your submissions, especially in the discussion board and the blogs, tells me that some of you really don't care for poetry that much.

Look at it this way. As with anything that is written, reader interpretation comes into play. It happens with novels, short stories, blog posts, editorials, letters to the editor, text messages, facebook statuses, and POEMS. One of things that is cool about poetry is that there can be as many interpretations of one poem as there are people who are reading it. Another appreciation is that not only does content come into play, but there are many techniques that make or break singular poems.

Look at the use of senses in "The Red Wheelbarrow." The use of speaker in many of Frost's poems--who is the apple picker? Who is debating about which road to take--or not take? Look at the imagery in the poem about the boy and his father dancing (title is escaping me--sorry). What about the personification in many of Sandburg's poems? The rhythm in Brooks' verse? Do you notice any rhyme, stanzas, alliteration? There is skill shown in these poems, not only in the subject, but also in the style.

My challenge to you is to go into this next week not with dread and procrastination, or fearing that your interpretation may not be the correct one, but to find a new appreciation of a genre that may be at the bottom of your list of favorites. Find at least one poem that you enjoy, that has made this Pod a great learning experience for you. Tell a friend, your husband, your wife, your children, your parents or your siblings about a fantastic poet you read about that you never knew about before.

And now, as always...

Happy POETRY Reading!