Lessons Learned, Laughs Shared, and R-Rated Words Blurted

I have learned that my students do not like to talk, except one girl in the front row who always tells a really long, boring, and pointless story about a member of her family or her boyfriend. I am not quite sure how these stories relate to the topic of writing, if they relate at all, or if the student thinks that they relate. However, each time she raises her hand, I feel like I have to call on her because she actually volunteers to talk. I admit I have felt the temptation to ignore her, and did so successfully for about 20 seconds until I felt guilty and caved in yesterday.

Although they are quiet, they have forced me to come up with ways to get them to participate. I have not tried anything elaborate yet, but I did find one successful technique. I asked a discussion question and the room was silent. I sat for a few moments, contemplating the sweat accumulating under my arms and hoping that Dr. Rogers would not walk in, and then it came to me. I said, "I don't know the answer, you guys. I really want to know what you think. Help me out." Those were the magic words. Instantly, hands shot into the air and the less well-mannered of them just began blabbing at me. I guess a little self-deprecation helps them to build their confidence.

My other techniques for getting them to talk are not quite as successful or popular (I suspect). After some in-class writing, nobody volunteered to share. I waited a good minute for them to respond, but all was still and quiet. So, in a tiny moment of anger and a huge moment of desperation, I made them ALL share what they had written. I went around the room from front to back and made everyone participate. They gave me some icy glares after that.

I also randomly call on people, especially those I know are smart. I have read enough of their reading responses to know who has intelligent thoughts coursing through their brains. So, I pick on them. Sometimes I pick on the person who is talking to his neighbor or the guy who just rolled his eyes at me or the girl who makes eye contact with me.

The most wonderful part of teaching is the way the kids have opened up when not under pressure to speak. They tease me, joke with me, and yes, even plot to get me to let them watch the inauguration on YouTube during class. I had to remind them that I am a student too, so I knew exactly what they were trying to do.

The most embarrassing moment? They got me to say "orgasm" in class. Yeah, it was in one of the readings. In my BYU innocence, I transcribed that sentence into my notes without that word, then we talked about that quote. The boys immediately noticed my deletion (which I had completely forgotten about) and said, "What comes before that part? You left a really important part out." I stupidly believed them, searched the text, found the word and blurted it out. They all laughed, but I felt kind of dirty. They accused me of teaching an R-rated class. I'm not going to fall for that again! (Hopefully.)