Small Victories

My teaching victory is small yet I am willing to count it. After we did all the in-class writing for their first essay on Thursday, I told them to write their thesis on a separate piece of paper and pass it in. They all did so willingly, not realizing that I had the evil plan to put them on the overhead camera thingy. So, as soon as I had all their thesis statements in my clutches, I announced what I was about to do. Their passiveness turned to horror and they groaned collectively. I promised not to show anybody's names to make the process less humiliating.

I began putting the thesis statements up for all to see. To my surprise, one after another had a point, was well written, and did what I had asked them to do. I only had one or two that needed to be narrowed. My victory is that they are actually pretty good little writers and that they have understood what I am asking of them in their upcoming essay. I am impressed with their ability to take two texts and figure out an intelligent larger point to be made. I am hoping that the drafts they bring to class tomorrow will be just as successful.

On the same note, I worried that they would all be so angry with me after betraying their trust like that that they would not like me. I know, I know. I suffer from that hideous disease most women suffer from. I want everybody to like me, even though it is humanly inpossible and I already know of 2, maybe 3, people that hate me for sure because they have yelled it into my face as I cried and begged for friendship and leniency. Anyway, my point is that I then ran into a student of mine at the Kaysville post office the next day. He was the guy who questioned most of what I asked them to write on Thursday and who gave me the most eye rolls and blank stares. However, he saw me and immediately greeted me with warmth. I felt relieved that I can still be liked despite putting their spur-of-the-moment work up on the overhead for all to see and despite being the slave driver who made them write for one hour. The most clock-checking and yawning occurred that day!

I am actually looking forward to tomorrow because of all of this. I am excited to work with their drafts and to direct their workshopping. I cannot wait to see how their theses have played out in text and if they have had any problems. I think this week of class is going to be bonding week. At least, I hope so.