Welcome to English 611!

Thanks, everyone, for a great class last night. I really appreciated everyone's enthusiasm about trying the different linked activities around Life in the Iron Mills--it bodes well for our work together this semester.
You raised some terrific insights in our meta-conversation that I want to highlight here:

Silent Reading: 

• This step helped students who had been away from the text to refamiliarize themselves with the reading. 
• It allowed unprepared students to get on board with the class and get more out of the ensuing discussion. 
• It gave students an extra chance to practice reading the text, which made them feel more comfortable reading aloud. 

Jump-in Reading: 

• The random participation factor helped eliminate that horrible sense of doom when reading "goes around" the room
• Students felt more comfortable reading aloud because they had already had a chance to review the material
• No one "had" to read; it was a choice.

Pointing:

• Again, the randomness and low-stakes participation made people more apt to speak up
• Allowed us to hear the sounds of the text and think about its language and form
• Hearing other students choose "your" phrase felt reassuring 
• Gave good ideas for the "write about a phrase" exercise

Write about a Phrase/Small Groups:

•  Everyone had a chance to think and write--and share their work--in a small setting
• This gave people a sense of confidence for the large group report
• If there was a written homework assignment to come, students could use their in-class writing as a beginning

Reporting out to the Class:

• Students felt comfortable identifying and sharing good ideas they had heard from others; did not feel pressure to share their own ideas
• Learning names and moving back to original seats made the discussion flow around the room--did not feel like "reporting"

 Much more to come. I am linking course materials to this blog for your reference.  Enjoy!
Betsy