I have the privilege of teaching Journalism to my 8th graders. Each 9 weeks, I have a different group of 8th graders come through my class. A student and I were talking today, and he asked, “Did you want to teach Journalism?”
Hmm. Honestly, if I had a choice, I wouldn’t. I told him that originally it was planned so that the school newspaper would be completed.
So, in all honesty, he said, “What would you have taught if you had the opportunity to choose?”
Creative writing, of course! That would make this writer truly happy!
Could you imagine having the opportunity to do nothing more than write creatively? Could you imagine sharing ideas and techniques about writing books, short stories, poetry…?
Instead, my last class of the day is spent telling boys to stop chasing one another and to sit down with their groups so that they can work on their articles. I have 2 boys to whom I gave the jobs of co-editors. They have embraced this job with such enthusiasm. They walk around the room to each group: Sports, Student Events, Upcoming Dates, Entertainment, and Features. At each group, they give the students ideas of what they should include and how to improve. And yes, sometimes, they are telling those same boys that are playing tag and running around the room like preschoolers to sit down and work.
Do I enjoy teaching Journalism?
I think I’m enjoying teaching students to be leaders and co-teachers even more. That makes this writer proud to teach a different type of writing.
