Building Relationships

Well I read Mel's comments and ideas about building relationships, and I agree that time is a big factor in writing responses to students cover letters. It is also lots of time for students to write these cover letters, but I think the idea is invaluable. Even at our stage it is a good idea to reflect on our writing in that way. I mean the more successful we get as writers (if we are lucky enough) the more we are going to be questioned, asked about what we do on the page. And trust me, I spent two years doing a radio show listening to writers be interviewed about their work, and a lot of well know accomplished writers can only bull shit when it comes to talking about their craft, saying things like "I was moved to write this. It was inspired." Yeah right. It is a process and everyone knows it. Most people just don't think about or document it along the way.

I think it is good to have students write a cover letter, and even better if we can find the time to respond. I think it would be even better if the letter from us was handwritten, but that is just a personal prefrence. It is important for students not only to be able to craft a paper, but to be able to articulate the choices they made. It might even be a good idea for them to read each others or write responses in this way to each others work.

I agree, Mel, that time is a giant factor. But I think the professor in this article had a different vantage point, in that he was dealing with marginal students that had a good chance of taking him again in another class, so it was benefical to him to track their progress and give them more time. I am not sure how we would find the time. Maybe a few written responses on critical papers, the first, the last ect would be more reasonable. It would be something that we have to figure out, just like everything esle we will be figuring out next term.

I think that the major themes in these two articles that we had to read for Monday are once agiain the idea of creating response. The first article traced and labeled responses in the classroom, and it became evident by the end of the article that the best thing to do is let students talk and guide the conversation from there. We have talked about this I know. But I think, at least for me it is becoming something I am thinking about more deeply, something that I can say is a goal I am going to have for next term. Right now everything about teaching is new and confusing, and admitedly the more theory we read, I am not sure if it gives me more confidence or scares me shitless. On that note, one thing is becoming clear as I ponder the classroom dynamic I want. I don't want to sit in silence. I want engaged, responsive students, and hopefully that will translate to their writing. If cover letters help make them more attune, I am willing to try it. And as far as classroom discusion, I hope I lead then follow the students the direction. Right now that seems like the best plan.