I was surprised by the level of discussion that happened in my two intro. to literature classes today. We were comparing and contrasting Ovid's Icarus telling to Auden's "Musee Des Beaux Arts." We had also recently watched The Bridge, the documentary about people who committed suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge (students also read "Jumpers" from The New Yorker.)
These are late afternoon/evening classes (4:30 and 6:00). I've taught classes at the time for several years. Students tend to be tired after a long day or sleepy because they've just eaten supper. But all semester the students have been awake and aware.
Today, given the subject matter (suicide), I expected nervousness and silence, but they were talkative and engaged. I was proud of them.
Strange:I just taught "Musee..." on Tuesday. I then walked home and caught a cold. Hope you're doing well.
ReplyDeleteI watched The Bridge a few weeks ago. Powerful and provoking(in my mind).
ReplyDeleteI have noticed a "trend", if one can name it as such, of "kids" and their conversations. Having a group pf teens invade my home weekly, I am intrigued by the discussions they engage in. It is refreshing!
Peace