Finally, I am done with the semi-annual gradeathon! Yes, Sunday and Monday I forged through the insane amount of work I created for myself (using various methods of procrastination/accompanied by bouts of balking). Handed back my students' unit three papers yesterday, and the semester is mostly downhill from here. Get this, though: one of my students, after receiving his paper and as he exited the classroom, called me a bitch. This student, I assume, was disappointed with his paper grade. Such is life. Still: WTF? You don't do the work, you don't get an A. End of story.
In other, less obscenity-riddled news, I'll be teaching my creative writing course during winter break, and I am psyched. When I applied last year for a creative writing position, I received a continuing ed slot to be taught during J-Term. I didn't really know what to expect in terms of enrollment; I got a letter notifying me that minimum enrollment was eight students, that if I didn't reach this quota my class would be cancelled and I'd be given a mini-stipend as compensation for my planning. This did freak me out a bit, and I continued being freaked out as the enrollment held steady at six. But, sometime last week, two more students signed up: the class is on!
It's going to be intense: a semester's worth of work condensed into three [four day] weeks. It's going to be awesome.
It will be strange, not going home for winter break. Every year for the past six, I've headed back to MN for a monthlong (or sixweeklong) stretch of arguable R&R. My time was equally divided between working (random part time jobs; more recently, subbing in the public schools) and reading. Here, most of my time will be spent working: teaching, at the key office, on my thesis. Work, work, work, and the gray sky getting dark earlier every night. To keep from going nuts, I'm planning: 1) to go to the gym as often as possible; 2) a few ski trips; 3) to resume where I left off with various craft projects. Strategies: oh yeah!
2 comments:
I know what you mean about students being upset with their grades. I have no idea why they think that they deserve an "A" simply for doing the assignment. Their perceptions of work are ridiculous.
Your accelerated class sounds like fun! Good luck to you. I teach an accelerated version of my class at night. It was hard to do at first, but you eventually get a rhythm going.
Shiny ponytail yet?
Oh, yes: the day of the long, shiny ponytail has arrived!
The accelerated class will be fun! At least, I'm excited about it. I'm willing to bet that, since it's a J-Term course, the people who registered are also excited.
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