The ENGL 112 class is divided into 8 groups of 2, working on powerpoint presentations of their short stories. Because several students have taken either ENGL 222 or ENGL 223 or both, I try to double up on the stories and allow them to select ones they have already read and studied (the 'double duty' thing I mentioned before).
This week they are reading and creating powerpoints on "To Build a Fire," "Desiree's Baby," "The Open Boat," and more.
Class today has focused on the partner work. The groups are sitting together in the lab, working on slides, documentation, and formatting. They have decided basically on content, I think, and now are focused on putting it all together.
We are working on time constraints also. A major winter storm is predicted starting tomorrow, Wednesday, and lasting into Thursday early afternoon. Several inches of snow is predicted, but even a worse prediction is the wind. That can easily close roads with drifting snow, no matter how small the amount. They need to work hard today, together, because Thursday alternative arrangements may be in place.
It does my heart and soul good to listen to the students as they plan, prepare, and create. I do enjoy seeing the light bulbs click on all over the road as the plan comes together and they 'see the light' about some of the elements they have chosen as those predominant in their short stories.
Before spring break, they will view other powerpoints, read a different story than the one they were assigned, and critique the process. Those submissions are always enlightening as well.
After spring break we will focus on novels, then extended literary analyis/argument which is always a fun project too.
No comments:
Post a Comment