Take Home Final Essay
This final assignment provides an opportunity
to reflect back on and to demonstrate what you have learned in English 4800 by analyzing and comparing what we have learned in our class with observations of the real world,
with books that could have been used as texts for the class, or with
syllabi of similar courses at other universities. Choose ONE of the
options below. Be careful to draw on and refer to the specific learning
that took place in our class as you write the final essay, including traditional
methods, reader response approaches, cultural studies, and new technologies.
(Minimum 5 pages)
Option 1: Classroom Visit
Visit a secondary literature or language arts classroom
and observe one class period on at least two different days or two different
class periods on the same day. Interview the teacher asking questions
about his or her approach to teaching literature, curriculum, discussion
leading, activities, etc.
For your essay, describe the class, students, and curriculum.
Drawing on what you have learned in 4800, what seem to be the strength's
and weaknesses of the teacher's approach? If you were this teacher's
intern how would you proceed? Include any data collected.
Through your classroom visits, interview, and write up,
demonstrate a high level of professional conduct, awareness of the complexity
of the teaching process, and respect for the expertise and confidentiality
of the teacher your observe.
Option 2: English Teaching Textbook
Drawing on what you have learned in English 4800, read
and analyze a book that could have been used as a textbook for our class.
To further acquaint yourself with the professional literature in English
education, choose a book new to you, one you have not read for another
class. Some of these books have been ordered as optional texts for 4800
(see those in blue) and all can be ordered on-line.. These books can
also be found for free in Sangren library. Suggested titles:
The
English Teacher's Companion A Complete Guide to Classroom, Curriculum,
and the Profession
Exploring
and Teaching the English Language Arts
How
Porcupines Make Love III: Readers, Texts, and Cultures in
the Response-Based Literature Classroom
Language
and Reflection: An Integrated Approach to Teaching English
The
Literature Workshop: Teaching Texts and Their Readers
Making
the Journey: On Being and Becoming a Teacher
Reshaping
High School English
Teaching
Literature in the Secondary School
Weaving
in the Women Transforming the High School English Curriculum
What are the strengths and weaknesses of this book? What
does the textbook include that our course did not? What did our course
include that was not in the textbook? Did our "experimental, internet-based
student-led" approach in 4800 "cover the material" as
well as or more effectively as this textbook does? Based on your analysis
of this book, what recommendations would you make for English 4800 next
term?
Option 3: Compare and Contrast On-Line Syllabi
Look over a number of on-line
syllabi for courses similar to English 4800. Choose two or three to closely analyze and compare with our course. What are the similarities
and differences between these courses? What do other courses include
that our course did not? What did our course include that was not in
the courses described on the web? What are the strengths
and weaknesses of these courses? What would you like to learn from
students who took this other class? What could they learn from you?
Based on your analysis of these syllabi, what recommendations would
you make for English 4800 next term?
Created by: allen.webb@wmich.edu
Revised Date: 12/08
