I'm sure you've all experienced it at one point another. That passion you feel for a specific unit as you write it. The joy of coming up with engaging and fun ways to teach your students. The thrill of uncovering new information about a topic you thought you already had mastered. It's a great feeling.
It is currently 10:50PM and I continue to add to my lessons because I'm honestly having a good time with it!
(what's that? A college student is enjoying staying up late to do their homework in the middle of the night??)
You heard it right, folks. I'm confident, excited, and absolutely rocking this lesson plan!
My current obsession is my social studies unit on Art Spiegleman's MAUS Series.
MAUS was the first (but not the last) graphic novel to win the Pulitzer prize in 1992. I had heard great things about the book, but had never read it before. I was honestly jealous when my brother's private school used the book to teach his class about the Holocaust. I didn't have that opportunity attending school at Pittsfield…
However, I have an even greater opportunity now! A chance to create my own unit on the series and use it in my classroom!
I bought the books a few weeks ago and power read through the first one. I couldn't put it down. It's horrifying in it's sincerity and very deserving of it's acclaim. The human perspective of Art's strained relationship with Vladek, his father who survived through Auschwitz, and Art's search to learn more about his mother after her suicide in 1968 is as enthralling as it is heart wrenching.
All this to say I'm enjoying the series and enjoying creating a unit about it just as much.
Lesson planning is one of the most strenuous things teachers do on a regular basis. The stress alone that comes in hoping the lesson won't flop drives us insane. However, it gives us a great chance to teach what we're passionate about.
That passion makes our lessons better, our teaching better, and our students more eager to learn. The best classes I've taken are ones where you can see the teacher is passionate about what they're teaching. The fact that topics you teach are nearly infinite as long as they are compatible with the standards is so much fun for me.
It's like a Puzzle.
"How can I talk about this REALLY cool thing I like while also preparing my students for their future?"
The best part is that there's always a way to solve it.
I love reading your reflections, Zach. You have fabulous voice as well as sense of humor. And I totally agree with, "Lesson planning ...gives us a great chance to teach what we're passionate about." Lesson planning is my favorite aspect of teaching. I wouldn't teach if I couldn't plan my lessons and make them my own, based on my passions. I am so excited for you to share your passion with your students. Your passion is contagious.
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