Thursday, March 8, 2012

So How Did You Like Our Books?

"So how did you like our books?"  This was the greeting I received this morning as I entered my Writing in Education course.  Yesterday for My Slice of Life post,  I shared a letter I was going to read to my students about being proud of their willingness to take the challenge and share a piece of themselves.

When asked that question I thought what a great opening to what I wished to share with them.  I had to have them look over their books first making sure that the order was correct and then had a student take the books to the education office to have them shipped to the publisher.  This was the first priority and so after doing that I began, "S. asked as she came in, 'So how did you like our books?' "  

"And that is a question I wish to answer. After finishing the review of your books,  I choice to write a letter to you"...

and then I began to read my letter to them...In the first paragraph I use the word proud and ask is that something an instructor should be and do college students even care if the instructor is proud.  I was greeted with giggles which is what I wanted...I wanted them to do that embarrassed giggle thing...thinking to themselves this professor is a weirdo.

and then began...I learned--

I should treasure...
I should pass on...
I should look to...
I should realize that...
I should remember those...
I should remember a family doesn't...
I need to remember to...
I must remember not to always...
I must remember my past...
I need to support...
I need to remember that...
I need to remember to share...
I need to look
I must always remember...

Yes, I am proud.

During the reading when I read a statement, I looked at the individual that I felt had helped me learn that "something" from his or her writing.  Some would look directly at me, so would lower their eyes, but all felt the power of what I was sharing.  All knew the impact the written word had.  There was no laughter, there were some smiles, and even some misty eyes...and all left richer and more informed how their words impacted someone who read, connected, and learned from them.

2 comments:

  1. Leaving richer and more aware of the fact that their words have an impact is a wonderful thing!

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  2. Wow...you showed them that you had valued what they had to say, and connected to them. They will never forget this. Bravo!

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