I recently devised and executed a class room lesson for my non-fiction essay class. (hello, non-fiction essay class...hi! They are going to be reading this, as you know, if you are in the class... but if you are not then that is what this particular blog is about and what it is.)
Anyway, I thought the exercise went rather well. I asked questions about toys that lead to a writing prompt. I think the exercise was effective because it taped into a emotional root that everyone has. When we were children we wanted things. We were not yet jaded by disappointment. We hopefully cared about our world and readily felt an emotional loss when things didn't go our way. It sounds selfish, but I believe that without that root of selfish need there is not the emotional energy to strive for anything. As children it is wild and unschooled; hopefully as adults it is tempered and focused, but if we care for nothing as children we will care for less as adults. My class mares didn't let me down.
The answers, the discussion, and the shorts that were produced by this exercise were full of real emotion and introspection. The discussion was animated and if people didn't come out of the exercise with an idea for an essay they might at least have realized they are not alone in their love of Legos.
Thanks. I was surprised at how much came spilling out when I was writing that exercise. I also liked the way it brought out both positive and negative (longing, loneliness) emotions.
ReplyDeleteI must have missed this exercise. I'm disappointed it sounds like it was alot of fun!!
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