The students that I have at our school are extremely energetic. I am a high energy teacher and use that as a catalyst for their learning. When we come into class, we have ACT prep as a warm-up activity and I use this as an opportunity to increase their positive association with such a large scale test that has such a large impact on their post-secondary futures.
One thing I have learned about the students here in Tennessee is that if there is not a direct connection to importance in their lives, they will not engage.
Being in a rural area, it is sometimes difficult to get every student on board with reading literature and seeing how it is important in their life. This is where my enthusiasm for my subject and my energy comes in handy. Students see how excited I am about what I teach, and that increases their excitement. When we come into my classroom, they know we're here to read deeply, and analyze thoroughly, using what I call the "iceberg theory."
My Project
I am looking to integrate the novels "Of Mice & Men" and "Into the Wild" into my new classroom. These pivotal texts explore deep themes of fate, family, society, and nature that every high school student should get the opportunity to engage with.
"Of Mice & Men" and "Into the Wild" deserve to be in the hands of the students at our school because of the profound impact they can have on students' lives, well after they leave the classroom.
These novels can have an immense impact on the lives of students growing up in rural Tennessee. With your help, their lives will be enriched for years to come!
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