Pieces of Me (sick, sick pieces)

I came home yesterday with a cough and a ferociously tickleriffic throat. After sitting through three full episodes of the Ashlee Simpson show, breathing through my half-way open mouth, I think I can say that I am officially sick.

    "Ok. That totally sounds dubbed," hubby says.
    "How do you know?" I asked.
    "It sounds exactly like her record," he scoffs.
    "And you would know because you've heard her album?!"
    "Ok. You've got a point there."

When I did my inspired-by-music essay with the 9th graders last semester, one frail girl was inspired by "Pieces of Me." After several before and after-school sessions, her essay was still not working and the lightbulb went off.

    "I guess there's not much to that song*, Ms. Hipteacher."
    "Well, the essay really needs to be a narrative. We're looking for a real, full story. I want you to tap into your imagination and create that story from how the song makes you feel, what it makes you think, not re-tell me the story about how Ashlee Simpson broke up with her boyfriend and then wrote a song about it."
    "I think...I think about Ashlee--and her boyfriend. It was so sad. I don't really think a new story. I only think about what happened on the show."
    "Right. So what do you think you need to do to create your story?"
    "Think a story up on my own?"
    "Exactly."

Saving students' taste in music, one essay at a time. Hopefully.

*emphasis added

Comments

[shamash]

I love the "essay" link! I will use your "pick your favorite song and write a story inspired by the song" idea in my class. Great idea.

And, as for the Pimp/Homebase Slide/Touchdown story: it reminds me of the times during my years in public ed when my students made me laugh AND cry, and of those touchdown moments, when I felt like a real teacher.

I wish I had been blogging, like you, during those years. Though I was teaching high school English in a public school less than two years ago, so much has been forgotten. I'm now teaching at a private school; there aren't as many stories to tell.

Keep writing. I see a book in the making.

[Jeremy]

Reminds of the scene in School of Rock where Jack Black's character (posing as teacher) is trying to get the students talking about the classic rock 'n roll bands and they can only think of pop, R&B or hip-hop acts.