So...I'm starting to love this book! I totally agree with what Elizabeth said...I think Christenbury reads my mind! It is crazy how she seems to know exactly how we, as soon to be teachers, are feeling. I loved the first couple pages of this chapter because they are definitly reassuring! I mean lets face it we are all somewhat freaking out that the time has come for us to actually get in front of students in a classroom and hope they can take us seriously and find something beneficial in what we say! ok..well I know I am, but Christenbury really puts those fears at ease by saying that we really don't have to know it all before we enter the classroom, and that it is completely fine, and also necessary, to keep learning as we go!
I also thought it was very interesting when she talked about schools of criticism and why we should care. I have to admit, when i took ENG 235 with Jane Hoogestraat I was not overwhelmed with a passion on the subject of schools of literary criticism, and didnt really see why it affected me or my teaching. But after reading what Christenbury has to say about it I really see why it is important to know which way you tend to analyze literature and maybe to make sure to not always do the same thing. I think it is important to look at the historical background of a work sometimes, but other times I think a reader response type of approach might be better because it allows students to relate to and take what they want out of the literature. I loved how she gave examples of class discussions and how the different ways those discussions were lead affected the comments that students made.
All in all, she gives a lot of really great and useful tips in this chapter of how to tackle many different forms of literature. I am definitly thinking I'm not going to be selling this book back! Its a keeper! :)
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2 comments:
Tracy,
Thanks so much for this post. Did you know you are one of the first people in the past year and a half who have made the connection between your Lit. Crit. class and this chapter. Thanks so much!
I'm keeping my book, too. Your right on girl. It sounds like you're very confident and won't let anything hold you back from excellence. I'm sure you'll do great in front of the class. I like the reader response best. It helps you get to the students on a more personal level,but I'm not opposed to any other concepts either, just partial to that one.
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