The Seussical Times

My university courses have been going rather well, yet the writing courses have been presenting me with the hardest difficulty. The reason for this, I believe, is still being fresh from the university scene myself, and remembering the harsh critiques of my former professors. I still vividly remember them butchering my essays for grammatical errors (I'm a grammar nazi with shit syntax, get fucking used to it, here's, a comma splice hanging the mist, irregardless, (lol), fuuuuuck you) and a strong incorporation of psychology/philosophy...seen as a cardinal sin for the hardcore bastards who saw Literature as something to be judged solely on the text. I recently spoke to the only Lit professor I truly admired, and he put me on the right track in terms of grading the writing assignments; before I was looking for every little mistake and he quickly reminded me this only discouraged the students as it did myself when I was in uni. I couldn't believe I didn't even make the comparison, but grading for the second papers proved swifter and the feedback I gave the students increased heaps in their response las opposed to the harsh critiques of the previous marking. Regardless, I was following the textbook for the course like I was a priest for the holy crusades, and there was very little enjoyment within the class. I had my students give me feedback for which areas of writing we discussed they wanted help with, and had quite a few mention they thought the class was too boring. The Chinese students expect me to be their saving grace: they go to school 30-40 hours a week; they are given loads of homework; they constantly need to study. I was told by Chinese management, who are also teacher at my university, that "The students don't like us as much as you foreigners. They see us as the enemy and you guys as someone they can be relaxed around."  I spoke to a mate of mine on how to address the issue I had in my writing course; I couldn't possibly see a way to make writing more interesting. She was bewildered at my confusion at incorporating creativity into a writing environment since I am a writer. I expressed to her that despite being a writer, when it came to writing essays, I saw it as a chore more than something adventurous. She made me realize I just had to incorporate texts and works into the classroom that I enjoyed to write about, and then this would allow the students to follow suit.

I prepared my lesson with Neil deGrasse Tyson's Cosmos and 4 pictures from Dr. Seuss books. I started the class with having them free-write about science, and after about 15 minutes, had them share what they had written with the class. I followed this free-writing with these 4 pictures:

Truth be told I'm not sure the second picture is actually from a Seuss' novel, nonetheless, I had them observe the pictures and then told them I wanted to write a narrative account that tied these four pictures together, in any chronological order they saw fit, adding setting and details inbetween the actions of the illustrations. I gave them an example I hastly wrote the previous evening:

Last night, I had a magical dream I was being taken away by a balloon into the vast sky above. At first I was frightened of such a journey, but as I looked around me, I noticed many others who looked like me holding on to the strings of their vessels as they laughed in joy for adventure ahead. I felt so free in that sky…a certain freedom unbeknownst to the former me that lay sleeping in that bed of mine. All my responsibilities of work, school, family life, etc., etc., were all behind me now, and without even thinking, I let go of the string carrying my balloon and went stumbling down through the clouds with a smile embracing my face.

                From far away, I could see a little yellow ship that contained several people and vehicles. There were men and beasts bouncing around, a little man with a red hat offering green eggs and ham to a furry man who seemed displeased. I tried pushing my falling body towards the scene, but before I knew it, I landed in a swamp. I looked around and could see nothing. I swam, and swam, and swam, yet nothing came, endless flocks of grey water clouded the horizon before me: an eternal abyss strutting my arms through murky liquid hoping for some way out. Suddenly, I could see a beast that looked like a deer that emerged from the depths before me, but unlike a deer, this creature had the tail of a serpent and was a humongous beast though seemed friendly nonetheless. As I got closer to this creature, I noticed land and a large tree house vibrant with colors and vibes. I focused more clearly on the treehouse and saw tiny yellow men feeding the deer serpent snowballs as they laughed and chatted about the weather. I wanted to get closer and have a conversation with these surreal entities, yet the fear inside me said to get on land and run as fast as I could. I no longer felt free and worried perhaps these creatures were not so friendly if they were to meet one of my kind.

                I travelled through the forest and heard strange sounds conversing above me. I could see nothing and still their voices continued to chirp. It sounded like that of a bird though a bird I had never heard before. I saw one of these bird-like beasts and it looked me straight in the eye. I tensed up for a moment, but it seemed happy and perched on my shoulder. I dared not move and it placed its beak on my head. I pet the thing, it smiled, so I continued to pet it, and soon it flew off again. I came across a small lake where a yellow monster was taking a swim. I tried to sneak past him, but he knew I was there, and somehow could speak my language.

“Top of the morning to you sir!”

What should I say, I thought

 “Where are you from stranger.”

“Ummmmm, I am a human, from earth.”

“Why, you don’t say, what brings you to this neck of the woods.”

“I….I…don’t know, to tell you the truth.”

“No worries, friend, here comes the cart.”

                A cart pulled by an ox approached and from within was an everlasting blackness. I stared deep into the void and suddenly awoke back into reality.

What a dream that was, I pondered.

                I brushed my teeth, and went out to work, wondering what to think of that strange land. 

I let them get to it after reading my example. I walked around to observe them and they all seemed quite engaged in the activity at hand. When I called for the ten minute break, the vast majority of them continued to write. I was shocked by the drastic change in the environment, whereas before when break was called they immediately switched their focus to their phones. In both of my writing classes, they enjoyed the activity and happily read their stories to partners and I even had a few who wanted to read to the class. 

That's all for now, tune in next week when I'm being antisocial and choose not to share any blogging on the interwebs due to busyness with nothingness.