Shiny New Syllabus
Posted by: Professor Anonymous on: 11 January 2009
- In: Preparation
- Comment!
My syllabus is done, I think.
I have my old book, the readings I absolutely love from it, mixed with the new book and its uber-helpful chapters on the basics (pathos, ethos logos all that good shit). I have a revamped concept of the visual rhetoric assignment, I have new group presentation things implemented where they’re going to teach the class towards the end… and I have all my conference ducks lined up in a row.
I think I might actually get my shit together this semester, it’s a crazy feeling.
What are you up to? Are you doing what you should? If so, tell me and I’ll cheer you on. If not, tell me and I’ll tell you how much I wish I could be doing whatever you are right now. *grins*
6 Responses to "Shiny New Syllabus"
11 January 2009 at 2:44 pm
Interesting! I think if I were to teach at the elementary level I’d need to have a detailed syllabus even if it was just for ME to have… like, if I’m not organized down to each day’s activities ahead of time, I get scatter-brained and nothing gets done.
I’m essentially teaching the same class over and over, but the things that change are little things like which chapters from which books I use, which paper assignments I give… not really all that much different, and my basic class activity/discussion plan is the same from year to year. I guess it stays fresh in the little changes, plus having different students involved in each class is nice.
Blarg. I want to go to high school teaching so badly, this college crap is really getting under my skin. But it’s up to me to get myself and my resume out there, right? Need to get on that.
12 January 2009 at 2:40 pm
Hey Darling,
I am FREAKING OUT about becoming a mom. How am I going to do this? What if I don’t love my baby right away? It’s not like it’ll be mine right from the start… what if I never feel like it’s mine? My heart hurts to think of these things, but I can’t quiet my head long enough to move past it all. Ugh.
Thank you for giving me something to read (well, you and Becca) to take my mind off of this new parent thing. It’s also weird to not know ANYTHING about my baby. Because, as of now, I don’t have one. But I could in as little as a week, or a month, or six months. There is just no way of knowing, but I have to be ready whenever it comes.
It doesn’t help that the weather here is crazy cold and I haven’t been out of the house in days.
Help! Help! I need an adult!!
Love you, Babe!
~Kelly
12 January 2009 at 4:52 pm
Awww, Kelly! I bet you’re feeling a little punch drunk at the moment.. that is SO MUCH TO PROCESS! And I also hear you on feeling excited but frightened about the future child… I was actually having a convo with Becca about the very same thing the other day! Like, I want kids but that kind of change really intimidates me.
And I know you’ll be in love with that little boy or girl the moment you see them. *nods* It’s just part of being the awesome person that is you. Glad I could give you a little distraction here. 
And yesssss I feel like that all the time. “SOMEONE NEEDS TO HELP ME, I NEED A GROWN UP. YOU EXPECT ME TO DO THIS LIKE A BIG GIRL?” *sigh* My hubby still makes fun of me when I mention something or other makes me feel “adult.”
12 January 2009 at 7:44 pm
Hey 
In order for me to teach at the high school level I need to take a couple of extra university classes, which sucks … All you need to do is send out your résumé? Come on, get to it 
I guess I do have my weeks planned, subject by subject, and we have three trimesters and I know what I will be completing and grading for each, and my lessons are all divided by unit, plus, I have a Smart Board which makes for fun teaching.
But a ’syllabus’ is way cool – first, it’s more tailored and detailed, and you share it with your students, and you also are able to allow % to each assignment while as for me, I have one grade in each subject for each trimester, and I can’t give out essays to be completed at home or anything.
Ah, maybe one day !
So, this college thing – how old are they?
13 January 2009 at 12:22 pm
Hehe you’re too nice. For those with attendance policies here after 3 its a whole letter grade dropped! Lowest amount was 1/2 a letter grade.
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11 January 2009 at 2:21 pm
I find it interesting how you revamp your syllabus every semester. I wish I even had a ’syllabus’ but I teach elementary – instead I have a couple of major projects which have gotten rare reviews from parents and students, so I keep doing these, the rest, well… I’ve been teaching the same Curriculum for three years now and my lessons are all prepared and organized by folders. I switched things up this year by starting with different themes (instead of starting with the poem I did the autobiography). Very boring stuff. I don’t mind it though, it gives me a LOT of free time. I know what I have set up works because of the kids understanding and the grades, and I focus on the ones that are in need, and at home I have more time to grade rather than think of prepping lessons. Not that I don’t wait last minute to grade… I always do.
Hum. So that’s my story. I read your post bellow where you go in detail about your syllabus’ contents and it made me want to teach at the high school level. I might, one day.