I just found out that when I go back to the classroom in February I'll be teaching a grade 11 university level English class. I've taught this before a number of times, but this time I'll be starting at a new school with new materials. And old materials.
It turns out I thought I'd have to learn all new books (at least learn how to teach them), but this school uses Frankenstein and Macbeth just like the place where I used to work
I've always had good luck with this combination of texts, which also included a short story unit on Edgar Allen Poe and a unit on Romantic poetry. It's all about the Gothic and the zeitgeist and what-not, you see. It works really well.
BUT.... This new school also has a class set of The Great Gatsby. I hated this book in high school, but I taught it during my practicum in teacher's college and was actually enjoyable. So.... back when I thought I'd be venturing into new-ish territory I had designs on teaching Gatsby in conjunction with... wait for it... Citizen Kane (you could throw Macbeth in there too I figure and make it work). I prefer when there's something that connects the texts, if possible, so that the whole course builds on itself and seems purposeful, if not worthwhile.
So I don't know whether to forge ahead and try to plan a new course around a different era and set of ideas, or if I should stick with what I already have material for. It doesn't hurt that Baz Luhrmann is releasing his version of The Great Gatsby this December. I love his stuff, even though many other people don't. I feel like the culture of excess of the 20s would lend itself very well to some great discussions about modern culture, wealth and desire. Thoughts?
It turns out I thought I'd have to learn all new books (at least learn how to teach them), but this school uses Frankenstein and Macbeth just like the place where I used to work
I've always had good luck with this combination of texts, which also included a short story unit on Edgar Allen Poe and a unit on Romantic poetry. It's all about the Gothic and the zeitgeist and what-not, you see. It works really well.
BUT.... This new school also has a class set of The Great Gatsby. I hated this book in high school, but I taught it during my practicum in teacher's college and was actually enjoyable. So.... back when I thought I'd be venturing into new-ish territory I had designs on teaching Gatsby in conjunction with... wait for it... Citizen Kane (you could throw Macbeth in there too I figure and make it work). I prefer when there's something that connects the texts, if possible, so that the whole course builds on itself and seems purposeful, if not worthwhile.
So I don't know whether to forge ahead and try to plan a new course around a different era and set of ideas, or if I should stick with what I already have material for. It doesn't hurt that Baz Luhrmann is releasing his version of The Great Gatsby this December. I love his stuff, even though many other people don't. I feel like the culture of excess of the 20s would lend itself very well to some great discussions about modern culture, wealth and desire. Thoughts?