Tolkien taught in school - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Morsul the Dark · 08-25-2004, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InklingElf

Did I ever tell you that you sound EXACTLY like my 6th grade teacher? It's good to know someone of the teaching profession finally posted! Kudos

Indeed, Lalwendë, if any hold sway in this debate it would be you as a teacher. Welcome to our thread.

InklingElf · 08-25-2004, 04:04 PM

This teacher must live a measlely existence. Enca I've never seen such a narrow-minded teacher in my life -- after all the ones I have and had would never interject such a misguided statement. Are you sure she's credentialed?

Morsul the Dark · 08-25-2004, 04:11 PM

I honostly don't think so. She spends more time correcting her own math than teaching us math

I got a C and thats because I argued with her when she was wrong but I stray from topic

Feanor of the Peredhil · 08-25-2004, 08:15 PM

On the subject of teaching Tolkien, my school does. We have a biannual Trilogy class, that gets switched up with Creative Writing on the off-years. In respect to the time-frame needed to get a good grasp of what you're reading... we begin in September, finish in June, and usually don't manage to read the Appendices, although we do finish the book proper. Requirements for the class are to be serious about examining literature, and you've got to be a fantasy fan (what's the point, otherwise?). It's also happily looked upon if you've already read the books (or I suppose seen the films), thus leaving you with the gist if the stories, before you go detail scouting. Newbies are in no way, shape, or form turned away, and intentional spoilers by the class 'wizards' are received by an immediate and astounding drop in your G.P.A.. The class is fun, the discussions enlightening, and it tends to be an all-around good time, what with the hard-core fans correcting the teacher on small points of little interest (not that I'D happen to be one of those fans...

). Tril. is an elective. On the subject of incorporating the Lord of the Rings into the syllabus of a required English class? I don't like the idea.

As was said before, required reading tends to be looked at negatively by the masses. Just look at the number of you with Macbeth horror stories. My own required reading nightmares included East of Eden, Flowers for Algernon, Of Mice and Men, The Red Pony, and one that I can't remember the title of, that dealt with a slightly mental kid being extremely jealous of his best friend, the plot culminating in said best friend dying because of actions of said mental kid. Those are just a few examples of what I hated, simply because I had no choice in reading them. If I'd read it on my own, I probably would have enjoyed East of Eden at least, if not the others, but if I'd been forced to read LotR? Out of sheer spite and perversity of nature, I'd have no doubt forced myself to find all the flaws available to the scrutinous eyes of an above-average highschool student.

In short... I agree that everybody should read LotR, probably because I'm prejudiced in its favor... but I don't think they should be forced to, regardless of the sixty bijillion awesome qualities that the books possess.

Fea

Lalwendë · 08-26-2004, 11:58 AM

Alas I don't teach now, I work in an office instead.

But, without giving away exactly what I do, it is an office which deals exclusively with education! Teaching scared me at the time. It was the realisation that I was responsible for the futures of all those who I taught. I think I could enjoy it now I'm older, without that thought lurking in the back of my mind too much, but I wouldn't like all the directives and targets that get heaped onto the profession. They stifle teachers and turn schools into little more than exam machines.

I'm intrigued though, it sounds as though some schools in other countries are much larger and so some can give their students the chance to specialise more. I only know of choosing subjects, not areas within a subject, although my own teacher did discuss with us what we would like to study at 'A' Level - which was highly unusual.

I studied Of Mice and Men with the terrible teacher I had. We spent the class time reading aloud in turns, and our homework consisted of twenty comprehension questions to answer on what we had just read. This continued for every lesson. Obviously the whole class soon stopped doing homework and also began to mess about in lessons. That's just one example of a bad teacher making you hate a good book (I like this book now I don't have to do such dull work around it).

What's 6th grade? Is that like Year 6, age 10 to 11?

Encaitare · 08-26-2004, 12:14 PM

Quote:

What's 6th grade? Is that like Year 6, age 10 to 11?

Yes indeedy.

I agree with Feanor; we tend to take a cynical or negative view towards almost everything that is required of us, and schoolwork certainly not the least. I know I have begun most books in English class with dread and boredom, and sometimes I've been pleasantly surprised by the material. And it's been the reverse as well: I thought things boded well for "1984" because it had appendices on language (which is always a good thing!) but alas, I didn't like it at all.

I think the Trilogy Class is a great idea though, and it sounds really fun.

Quote:

In short... I agree that everybody should read LotR, probably because I'm prejudiced in its favor... but I don't think they should be forced to, regardless of the sixty bijillion awesome qualities that the books possess.

Yes, and plus we'd be forced to answer study guide questions on them, and write essays (although the essays I wouldn't mind)... isn't it interesting how the things we gripe about in English class (having to read, reread, and analyze till the sun goes down) are currently going on over at the Chapter-by-chapter section of the books forum, all by our own free will?

Morsul the Dark · 08-26-2004, 12:39 PM

I enjoy writing essays and anallysing literature, all parts and books. it depends on the type of teacher you get as well... I certainly would hate English it werent for my last three english teachers. (Ms. S., Mr.C,(had 2 years in a row

) and Mrs C.)

Flowers for Algernon- read that with Miss S. it was excellent I liked it
Of Mice and Men -only read an excerpt but seemed good
Beowulf-Loved it
The Odyssey- Awesome

Well no need for me to go on with all the books Ive read over the past 4 years I will say however that Tolkien's works even if it isn't LOTR are very useful in lessons. Fea I envy you, you have the best school, The only Author Friendly class we have is Shakespeare I and ShakespeareII, I joined them but I guess not enough students were interested so they dropped the class

Mr. C was going to teach it as well...(If you hadn't noticed Mr. C. is probably my favorite teacher at my school)

InklingElf · 08-28-2004, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Encaitare

Yes indeedy.

I agree with Feanor; we tend to take a cynical or negative view towards almost everything that is required of us, and schoolwork certainly not the least. I know I have begun most books in English class with dread and boredom, and sometimes I've been pleasantly surprised by the material. And it's been the reverse as well: I thought things boded well for "1984" because it had appendices on language (which is always a good thing!) but alas, I didn't like it at all.

Enca thanks for mentioning 1984 and am sorry you didn't enjoy it (may I ask why not?) but I love being an Orwellian!!! hehehehe.

I just hate having to read at the same pace with a class -- which I think is the main thing alot of us lose interest in alot of these amazing books.

08-25-2004, 04:11 PM	#3
Morsul the Dark Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,448	I honostly don't think so. She spends more time correcting her own math than teaching us math I got a C and thats because I argued with her when she was wrong but I stray from topic __________________ Morsul the Resurrected

08-25-2004, 08:15 PM	#4
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	On the subject of teaching Tolkien, my school does. We have a biannual Trilogy class, that gets switched up with Creative Writing on the off-years. In respect to the time-frame needed to get a good grasp of what you're reading... we begin in September, finish in June, and usually don't manage to read the Appendices, although we do finish the book proper. Requirements for the class are to be serious about examining literature, and you've got to be a fantasy fan (what's the point, otherwise?). It's also happily looked upon if you've already read the books (or I suppose seen the films), thus leaving you with the gist if the stories, before you go detail scouting. Newbies are in no way, shape, or form turned away, and intentional spoilers by the class 'wizards' are received by an immediate and astounding drop in your G.P.A.. The class is fun, the discussions enlightening, and it tends to be an all-around good time, what with the hard-core fans correcting the teacher on small points of little interest (not that I'D happen to be one of those fans... ). Tril. is an elective. On the subject of incorporating the Lord of the Rings into the syllabus of a required English class? I don't like the idea. As was said before, required reading tends to be looked at negatively by the masses. Just look at the number of you with Macbeth horror stories. My own required reading nightmares included East of Eden, Flowers for Algernon, Of Mice and Men, The Red Pony, and one that I can't remember the title of, that dealt with a slightly mental kid being extremely jealous of his best friend, the plot culminating in said best friend dying because of actions of said mental kid. Those are just a few examples of what I hated, simply because I had no choice in reading them. If I'd read it on my own, I probably would have enjoyed East of Eden at least, if not the others, but if I'd been forced to read LotR? Out of sheer spite and perversity of nature, I'd have no doubt forced myself to find all the flaws available to the scrutinous eyes of an above-average highschool student. In short... I agree that everybody should read LotR, probably because I'm prejudiced in its favor... but I don't think they should be forced to, regardless of the sixty bijillion awesome qualities that the books possess. Fea __________________ peace

08-26-2004, 12:39 PM	#7
Morsul the Dark Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,448	I enjoy writing essays and anallysing literature, all parts and books. it depends on the type of teacher you get as well... I certainly would hate English it werent for my last three english teachers. (Ms. S., Mr.C,(had 2 years in a row ) and Mrs C.) Flowers for Algernon- read that with Miss S. it was excellent I liked it Of Mice and Men -only read an excerpt but seemed good Beowulf-Loved it The Odyssey- Awesome Well no need for me to go on with all the books Ive read over the past 4 years I will say however that Tolkien's works even if it isn't LOTR are very useful in lessons. Fea I envy you, you have the best school, The only Author Friendly class we have is Shakespeare I and ShakespeareII, I joined them but I guess not enough students were interested so they dropped the class Mr. C was going to teach it as well...(If you hadn't noticed Mr. C. is probably my favorite teacher at my school) __________________ Morsul the Resurrected

08-25-2004, 04:04 PM	#2
InklingElf Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 402	This teacher must live a measlely existence. Enca I've never seen such a narrow-minded teacher in my life -- after all the ones I have and had would never interject such a misguided statement. Are you sure she's credentialed?

08-26-2004, 11:58 AM	#5
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Alas I don't teach now, I work in an office instead. But, without giving away exactly what I do, it is an office which deals exclusively with education! Teaching scared me at the time. It was the realisation that I was responsible for the futures of all those who I taught. I think I could enjoy it now I'm older, without that thought lurking in the back of my mind too much, but I wouldn't like all the directives and targets that get heaped onto the profession. They stifle teachers and turn schools into little more than exam machines. I'm intrigued though, it sounds as though some schools in other countries are much larger and so some can give their students the chance to specialise more. I only know of choosing subjects, not areas within a subject, although my own teacher did discuss with us what we would like to study at 'A' Level - which was highly unusual. I studied Of Mice and Men with the terrible teacher I had. We spent the class time reading aloud in turns, and our homework consisted of twenty comprehension questions to answer on what we had just read. This continued for every lesson. Obviously the whole class soon stopped doing homework and also began to mess about in lessons. That's just one example of a bad teacher making you hate a good book (I like this book now I don't have to do such dull work around it). What's 6th grade? Is that like Year 6, age 10 to 11?