Back to high school for a day...
I went to high school today for the first time in mumble-mumble years.
It was an interesting experience. First thought as I walked into the building:
When did I get so old?
After getting asked by someone in the main office if I was there to substitute (my goodness, no... no, no, no), I waited patiently for the teacher to whose classes I would be speaking to come and fetch me.
Watching all of the kids wander by the main office, I could not help feel a minor tug of sympathy for those few that were sure to be hit with a pop quiz today. I hated pop quizzes in high school.
The teacher found me and escorted me to her room and I followed, the excitement of getting ready to speak about Progeny and writing combating the zombie-ness I was experiencing due to the fact that I had only had one measly cup of coffee and the clock had yet to reach 7:00 AM.
Upon entering the teacher's room, I had yet another quick flashback. Posters about Persuasive Writing vs. Narrative Writing vs. Descriptive Writing adorned the walls along with student's projects about Romeo and Juliet.
(Side note: In my high school English class, when we studied Shakespeare's tragic love story, we actually were required to act out scenes. Ugh.)
The beginning of first period approached, and I was ready. Strangely, there was no nervousness - years of giving talks had apparently beaten that out of me, even when standing in front of a classroom full of some of the toughest critics you'll ever meet: high-school freshmen.
The bell rang. And by bell, I of course mean "soft tone over the school's speaker system."
Oh - that reminds me - I almost made a "Saved by the Bell" joke today. But then I realized that my audience would have no idea who Zack or Screech were. "Mario Lopez? That guy on Entertainment Tonight, right?" I just dated myself, didn't I?
After a nice introduction by the teacher, I launched into my speech, following my outline. Much like any outline I have prepared before I write, I was soon straying, adding things that I had not ever considered including. No matter. I plunged ahead.
Overall, the talk went well. At least, I think it did. The soft snoring I detected I 100% attribute to the fact that these kids are expected to be awake and aware at 7:00 AM. Did I really used to get up that early for high school? I think so... if so, kudos to me.
Like any writing I do, I learned from the experience. Some things worked well. Others could use some refinement. But I can say without a doubt, that I enjoyed myself. And I hope at least some of the kids I spoke to did as well. If I can encourage at least a few of them to read more - or perhaps write - then it was worth every moment.
So - thanks to Ms. [Name withheld to protect the innocent] and all of the kids I met.
Good days ahead.
Progeny
It was an interesting experience. First thought as I walked into the building:
When did I get so old?
After getting asked by someone in the main office if I was there to substitute (my goodness, no... no, no, no), I waited patiently for the teacher to whose classes I would be speaking to come and fetch me.
Watching all of the kids wander by the main office, I could not help feel a minor tug of sympathy for those few that were sure to be hit with a pop quiz today. I hated pop quizzes in high school.
The teacher found me and escorted me to her room and I followed, the excitement of getting ready to speak about Progeny and writing combating the zombie-ness I was experiencing due to the fact that I had only had one measly cup of coffee and the clock had yet to reach 7:00 AM.
Upon entering the teacher's room, I had yet another quick flashback. Posters about Persuasive Writing vs. Narrative Writing vs. Descriptive Writing adorned the walls along with student's projects about Romeo and Juliet.
(Side note: In my high school English class, when we studied Shakespeare's tragic love story, we actually were required to act out scenes. Ugh.)
The beginning of first period approached, and I was ready. Strangely, there was no nervousness - years of giving talks had apparently beaten that out of me, even when standing in front of a classroom full of some of the toughest critics you'll ever meet: high-school freshmen.
The bell rang. And by bell, I of course mean "soft tone over the school's speaker system."
Oh - that reminds me - I almost made a "Saved by the Bell" joke today. But then I realized that my audience would have no idea who Zack or Screech were. "Mario Lopez? That guy on Entertainment Tonight, right?" I just dated myself, didn't I?
After a nice introduction by the teacher, I launched into my speech, following my outline. Much like any outline I have prepared before I write, I was soon straying, adding things that I had not ever considered including. No matter. I plunged ahead.
Overall, the talk went well. At least, I think it did. The soft snoring I detected I 100% attribute to the fact that these kids are expected to be awake and aware at 7:00 AM. Did I really used to get up that early for high school? I think so... if so, kudos to me.
Like any writing I do, I learned from the experience. Some things worked well. Others could use some refinement. But I can say without a doubt, that I enjoyed myself. And I hope at least some of the kids I spoke to did as well. If I can encourage at least a few of them to read more - or perhaps write - then it was worth every moment.
So - thanks to Ms. [Name withheld to protect the innocent] and all of the kids I met.
Good days ahead.
Progeny
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