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!

Chicago - Carl Sandburg

I like Carl Sandburg. Well, not HIM, but his poetry. I never met him (smile), but I might have liked him if I had.

I have to admit: I am not a poetry person. WHAT?!?!? A literature teacher who isn't a 'poetry person'? Is that like a librarian who doesn't like to read? Not exactly. It's not that I don't like poetry; I do. Poetry is just low on my list of favorite genres. If I have a choice, which I often do now, I will select a novel over any other genre anytime. But I digress. Back to poetry.

I do like Sandburg's poetry. The fog on 'little cat feet.' Love that poem.

But my favorite is "Chicago." City of the big shoulders, hog butcher, so descriptive of the city that is proud--and alive--and vibrant--and has history.

This was a fun poem to teach to high school kids because it was easy to understand, it was descriptive, and Chicago was just up the road, hop on I-80, and zip right into the Windy City. Some of my students had never been to Indianapolis, but they had been to Chicago.

Many of my current students probably do not remember M*A*S*H, the television series with Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Henry Morgan, Jamie Farr and many more. In one episode Hawkeye (Alda) and Trapper (Rogers) were hungry for ribs Hawkeye called his favorite ribs joint, Adam's Ribs, in Chicago and ordered ribs and sauce (he forgot the slaw). At some point in the episode Hawkeye talks about the great city of Chicago where he went to medical school and began quoting from Sandburg's poem 'city of the big shoulders' and so on. Of course I was so excited that poetry was being quoted on a major television show.

I always think of that when this poem is read in this course. Christina just commented on her experiences at a Bears game this fall and how the poem depicted the people of Chicago. She will probably always think of the two together--the game, the poem. I will always thing of M*A*S*H when we read 'Chicago.' Sandburg knew what he was doing.

http://www.tv.com/mash/adamand039s-ribs/episode/43258/recap.html?tag=episode_recap;recap"

Reading Discussion Board posts

One of the things I really enjoyed about teaching Red Badge or any of Crane's stories is discussing his extensive use of symbolism. In the novel there is so much to consider: use of religious symbols, colors, animals, nature.

After spending an entire class period exploring the novel and picking out passages which contained great symbolism, one of my students asked, "Mrs. Siemens, did Crane try to put all of this in here on purpose or was it just an accident?" What do you think? Did he? Did the words just flow out of him once he started and lo and behold---the symbolism was there?

I like to tell the story about Troy, one of my quiet students. We were 'acting out' the scene where Henry, Jim Conklin, and Wilson were going up the hill toward Jim's death and the resulting line of 'The sun was pasted in the sky like a wafer.' So much religious symbolism in that chapter. So much. Of course I couldn't teach religion in a public high school, but we could discuss how this passage resembled the trek to Calvary, the THREE men, the wounds, the rite of communion. What I hadn't thought of, at that point, was the significance of the initials. Troy had sat in the back of the classroom that day, quietly watching our re-enactment of the scene, listening to the students' discussion of the symbolism. Then I heard a voice. "Mrs. Siemens? (pause) What about this? (pause) Jim Conklin. (pause) Jesus Christ. (pause) J.C. (smile)" One of you mentioned that in the discussion board. The initials.

Kevin also wrote about those three characters in one of his papers. The three represent The Father (Jim), the Son (Henry), and the Holy Spirit (Wilson). I hadn't thought of that before.

What also put a smile on my face was reading the posts about color, nature, and animals. Many of my favorite passages and usual examples were selected.

I hope that all of the students in the class read the posts as I do. Much can be learned from the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and observations of others.

Once again...Happy Reading!

Missing Pronto

Last week I had to miss the Pronto discussion because I had committed to subbing for an adjunct at the Rochester site, and I didn't realize that the Pronto session was the same night--or vice versa. Whatever. Anyway, I didn't make it.

Thanks to Elizabeth and the ladies who participated in Pronto that night. Elizabeth started the group, sent me a copy of the transcript and a list of the attendees, and kept the discussion moving. From what I read, the conversation was lively and full of laughter (many lol's throughout the transcript).

While I am disappointed that more did not participate, I understand that there may be scheduling conflicts. I also understand that 'life' may get in the way of participating. However, I hope that more students try to take advantage of the opportunity to chat with one's classmates about the literature being read, ask questions about confusing issues, and get to know each other a little better.

I encourage those who have not added Pronto to their home computers to please do so. Also the next Pronto session will be on a Thursday, so hopefully those that have Monday conflicts can participate.

See you then!

Red Badge

The Red Badge of Courage used to be a novel that I really didn't enjoy. However, I changed my tune a little after teaching it to juniors, especially the boys, and made it more of a 'blood and guts' and warfare type of novel. Of course it doesn't compare much to what we see today on television, in movies, or even real life with Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Egypt, but it served the purpose of using the imagination too fill in what Crane meant.

That is the beauty of 'universality' which is one term I always use while discussing literature. Could the story found in this novel span the time periods and occur in any place we could imagine? Civil War and the south? Yes. Were soldiers scared to go off to war in WWII? That's what my dad said. How about Vietnam? Any hiding there in the swamps, huts, and villages? You bet. Courage. Fear. Leadership. Timeless-all of these.

Then there are the powerful techniques that Crane used---symbolism found in nature, colors, religion. Imagery--wow! Use of dialogue. Time? How much time really does elapse during the course of the actual story?

Even though the first time I studied Red Badge I really didn't like it, I have grown to really enjoy teaching the novel and discussing it with my students. Of course the first reading was as a sophomore in high school when I hated war and 'boy stories' which I deemed this book. Now as an adult, I see a message that Crane was trying to stress to his readers through the story of Henry Fleming.

And THAT, is why we read it in ENGL 223.

Catching up....

Sometimes I think I am disorganized, but this week I have realized just how organized I have been lately. Why? Attending the Achieving the Dream Conference in Indianapolis this week has really thrown a wrench into my routine. While I enjoyed the conference for many different reasons, my time to check emails, read Messages, and keep up with grading was minimal. Thus--I am behind with grading, especially the Pod assignments since I usually read those and record on the scoresheets a few times during the week. Also having a sub for three classes (one of whom did not appear to teach the class) causes many questions and explanations from students and extra time to not only make a written plan for the sub but to catch up on everything that I missed by being gone in that classroom.

So..today I am faced with sorting through everything; grading Pod assignments, powerpoints, visual argument sheets, and business letters;and answering many messages and emails.

Add to that the events at home. My husband is the assistant girls varsity basketball coach at the school where I taught before moving to Ivy Tech. I have been the scorekeeper for the junior varsity and varsity teams for 12 years, since the year our daughter was a sophomore on the team. This week the school is hosting the sectional. I am the official scorekeeper, wearing the striped shirt on the bench. I missed two nights, but I was back for the Friday night games and will be there for the championship game tonight. Also the Lady Trojans are playing in the championship game. My daughters, sons-in-law, and adorable little grandson will be here this afternoon and tonight.

What does this all mean? Professor Ladybug needs to focus on sorting, grading, answering emails and messages, fixing problems with blogs and discussion questions sheets. Beth needs to listen to basketball talk----what offenses and defenses to run, how they will match up with the other team, who is guarding whom...the usual. Grammy will need some time with Landon. And oh, yes...a few moments for the daughters who say they are virtually forgotten anytime our grandson is around.

Sigh...it will all happen. Patience for me, for my family, for my students.

Next week will be better. Organization once again!!!

Eavesdroppping--somewhat

I am sitting in a classroom at the Logansport campus, listening to my ENGL 112 students discuss technology, using essays from the back of the text as a springboard for their comments. I always select a moderator from the group to guide the discussion, for I like to talk too much and it is, well, just better this way!!

As I am listening, I thought about how different what we read now is from what we are reading in class. I am also thinking about how writing is different (actually one of the things they were supposed to discuss). I actually wonder what kind of literature students 50 years from now will be reading. Will they think that the writers of the 1800s are so antiquated that these short stories and novels will not be included in the curriculum? Which authors will they read from the early 2000s? What will they discuss about the style and the reflection of our time period?

Will they think that the spelling of words is strange, much as we do when we see labour or theatre? Will they need a dictionary (probably online) to check the meaning of words we consider commonplace? Already our children are questioning beta tapes, typewriters, record players,and light bulbs (do any of you remember those?). lol

I do know that I won't be teaching students 50 years from now. Some of you will still be here to witness the changes and tell your grandchildren "When I was in college, I took classes 'online which meant that all of the assignments were on the computer. We had Pronto discussions too and talked to each other through typing messages on the screen and reading what everyone else said." And your grandchildren will laugh at how old-fashioned that was.

Nearing the end of the class discussion. BBL.....

How do I find my classmates?

You have a blog. You are ready to post daily (or weekly) entries. You just don't know how to find other blogs so you can read and reply.

Here are quick directions:

Go to the Class Blog Pods of Thought #2.

At the right side is the list of blogs from the other students. You can click on those to see their blogs and check the URLs at the top. You can then "add a gadget" (click on Design at the top right)to your blog, then scroll to the "My Blog List" and add that, then use that to add the URLs to your blog site. There is a box that says something about Configure, then Add, then you will paste in the URL, and Save. Then you can click on them from your blog, read their posts, and then comment. You should also add the Pods of Thought #2 to your Blog List also. If you want you can just click on the other blogs from mine, but it may be easier just to use your own as the base.

Also you can become a Follower of the other blogs. Just click on Follower at the right side and add yourself into that.

I can talk you through it, as I did for antoher student, on Pronto if you still have trouble. Let me know.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.....

Another poem I think of during days like this is a favorite by Robert Frost. "Stopping Woods on a Snowy Evening" relates well to me and my lifestyle.

I live in a woods, more or less.

We have lots of snow on the ground right now, and it was blowing around furiously on Tuesday night.

I don't usually ride a horse or travel by carriage or buggy, but I have had the feeling of driving my Jeep Compass on a snowy road across Pulaski County for 35 to my house and thinking of the lines 'and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.' The road from Thornhope west comes to mind plus the section of the Francesville-Pulaski blacktop east of my house seems appropriate as well.

Much as I enjoy watching the snow fall, seeing the landscape covered in white, and feeling the crisp air on my cheeks, I also like the feeling of being safe at home, warm, with a mug of steaming hot tea in my hands.

Ahh..winter. I would miss it if we didn't experience the change of seasons each year. Frost knew what he was talking about. So did Whittier. They captured the season, and the snowfall, well.

Snowbound

We haven't read Whittier yet, but snowstorms always bring the words of his poem "Snowbound" to mind.

The wind blew east; we heard the roar
Of Ocean on his wintry shore,
And felt the strong pulse throbbing there
Beat with low rhythm our inland air.

Granted there is no ocean in Pulaski County, just a river and a few water filled ditches, but the main idea that strikes me comes from the first four words "The wind blew east." That east wind is always a dangerous one.

Yesterday the wind blew from the east, northeast, southeast for most of the day. The wind is still from the east today.

Blizzard warnings go into effect in an hour or so and last throughout tomorrow.

What will this storm bring?

My husband has cleared the drive so we can get in and out at this point. I have a feeling all of his work will be for naught when the snow begins to fall and the wind picks up speed.

The crockpot of Italian beef made enough to keep us in sandwiches for a few meals. We have plenty of snacks, more meat in the freezer, and a recipe box full of recipes to try.

The five gallon bucket is sitting in the tub, full of water, and the washer is filled to the top, ready for an emergency.

Part of me is hoping for a 'snowbound' couple of days, just to stay home, no schedules to keep, no traveling, just napping, reading, watching a few movies. Part of me sighs as I know that the girls' basketball teams that my husband coaches will have to re-schedule games for the weekend, hopefully, because sectional is coming up next week and time is running out. Part of me fears that the electricity will go out and we will be huddled by the fireplace, trying to keep warm. Part of me fears for the health of my in-laws, and I pray that there are no health emergencies that require a trip to the hospital on icy, snowy roads.

"Snowbound" is a 'winter idyll.' I just hope our experiences in the Blizzard of 2011 are just as idyllic.