Julie, Larissa, Helen,
Welcome!
So this is the blog that I set up for my wonderful Year 11 Students.
Sometimes they use it of their own accord. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes they use it when I specifically ask them to.
Sometimes they don't.
They have just finished their literature exam about a half an hour ago. It was a poetry SAC. I think they'll all do well. They've worked really hard this year and I'm proud of them. Many of them groaned when we told them poetry was on the cards for the last term. By now, they're pulling ee cummings to pieces, analysing H.D., trying to cheer Larkin up and revelling in Keats' language. The same thing happened with Richard III. By the end of the term they were the most informed critics watching the MTC production.
The blog includes links to authors' biographical details on Wikipedia, Literary Quotes (although these need updating), student photography, some of my photography (to try and get the ball rolling), links to literary sites and resources, sample essays and sample paragraphs and the option of leaving comments on other students' posts. I can also post the homework to the blog and the students are welcome and encouraged to post their homework online, too. I receive an email whenever a post is made, meaning I can read student posts and homework on the go. Very handy!
The idea behind the blog was to address written literacy across the two classes. The students are by and large excellent contributors to class discussions on whatever material we're working with. Translating that oral fluency onto the page has been the challenge. What I wanted to do - and they're aware of this - was to create an online space, accessible outside of school, where all the students across both literature classes could 'meet' and discuss their ideas and opinions of the texts we're studying. You see the deal? They can't just 'chat' face to face, as per in class. They have to think about what they want to say before they say it. I believe it can help bridge the gap between their tremendous oral expression skills and their written skills which, although by no means bad, certainly warranted attention before the commencement of Year 12.
Written expression has improved. Hasn't it guys?
(Please don't respond with, 'um, yeah, i guess . . . ')
:-)
I have been impressed with the quality of the written work in practice SACs over the last few weeks (and in the months before that when we were studying the short story). Examples of student writing are littered throughout this blog.
They're a fantastic bunch.
I'm leaving the blog up. It will be available throughout Year 12 for these students. They can share ideas, help each other out with new texts and challenging contexts and perspectives at VCE level. I hope it will prove an invaluable resource. Regardless, though, it has been constructive, engaging, interesting and most of all, I hope, fun.
Thanks Year 11 Lit for a wonderful year.
Simon
