Kist Reflection Blog

The best part about this class is basically what I have reflected on previously--I have experienced a new genre of literature and learned how to teach it, I read about how to teach film and realized that it can be studied like literature and I have realized that there are more texts I can work with and teach other than just written literature.  I will definitely teach graphic novels and film, and will continue to read young adult literature so I can recommend it to my students.  Also, I realized that students can use critical thinking in ways other than just writing papers or speaking in classroom discussions.  I like the idea of incorporating outside current events, history and theatre into English lessons, and students can use critical thinking skills when incorporating these items into activities.  For example, creating a mini actors' studio in the classroom and having students act out parts of a Shakespearean play forces students to think hard about the characters' motivation, traits and flaws.  

I did not really think about how to use technology, film or music in lessons prior to this class, and now I am excited to incorporate all kinds of new texts into my lesson plans.  One negative about this class, however, was that we did not actually make a full lesson plan--I would have liked to make and teach a plan, perhaps one idea from the wiki.  I am confident in my ability to be creative in making lesson plans, but still weary on how to actually teach them.  I am stoked that I have the canonical wikis to gather ideas from, but wish I had more hands-on teaching experience.