Throughout my schooling, I can’t say that the extracurriculum that Gere discussed was ever emphasized in any way. We were always told what to write about and how to write it; there wasn’t much leeway in what could be done. If the paper or assignment wasn’t written how the teacher expected it, you got a bad grade and so you quickly learned to conform in order to get good grades. It was the only way to write, as if there was a right and wrong way. There were also things to write about. They were always prescribed and only seldom did we get to choose a topic. The writers that Gere described in her article were lucky, as she put it, “In their prose they look at the experience of farming, old equipment, the process of milking cows, and country schools” (75). They were able to write about the things that they cared about and that mattered to them. The writing was about their lives and that was what made them want to write. This is something that is lacking in most traditional English classes. Due to some of this, I have often thought of myself as “not a writer” and also a “bad writer”. Growing up, writing wasn’t something I enjoyed, probably because it held no interest for me. The writing I was doing was not about me or about anything that I cared about and since some teachers wanted us to write fiction, I found myself to be a bad writer. Fiction was never a strong point for me and it was especially difficult when I was not given any direction on it since I had become so used to having to follow directions that it was odd to not have any. It was also hard to write about my opinion on matters, too. I was always afraid that my opinion would be “wrong” because it was not what the teacher was expecting and so I often wrote what I thought they had wanted to hear. Gere also explained this in a statement she made. She said, “Some of the women are hesitant because nobody ever asked them their opinions about anything”(76). I felt this way often growing up and in school. I didn’t feel that anyone really cared about what I thought and why should I? All that mattered was getting a grade and passing, not thinking for myself. It is still hard to get over that hurdle to this day.
As far as what teachers can do to bring this extracurriculum into the classroom and still get things done: First, allow some flexibility. Writing properly is a life skill that needs to be practiced but not with such rigidity that the students learn to hate it and do it just to get by. Students should have some choice in what they write about. Second, balance is key. There are obviously things that need to be taught and at the same time learned, this can be understood. Teach the important things while allowing time for “fun learning”, learning that doesn’t feel like learning because it’s fun or a game. Also having things to do, such as writing, that involve the things that the students are interested in would help.
Wow! To be honest I thought I was the only one that felt the way you did with writing and reading. Writing and reading didn't have any near interest in me or in other words I wasn't drawn into why reading and writing was so important. It's sad to hear, see, and witness that the two simple things we learn in life, which will take us further into the future, are slacking with the next generation. College had showed me and a inspired me to explore my reading and writing. If their were extra-curriculum in every schools, throughout our country, do you think our country would have the same impact as today? With all the low graduate rates and IQ's, etc. Just reading your blog, brought flashbacks when I was in high school and reflecting back to my growing academic memories, was one of those students who had to “memorize and perform” to get a grade and not getting no learning experience out of it. Do you think some of these extra-curriculum workshops, the ones Gere mentioned in her text, still exist in today's generation? Only if teachers would let students explore their own opinions to why what they do and think, and or maybe say! Taking to what these young minds think into consideration putting their thoughts into action. Just a thought, coming from a urban area seeing uneducated and educated students. Seen myself in my Freshmen year in college, was becoming jealous of those who had a better academic experience then me; wishing I had the same opportunity, so college wouldn't been so complicated to do and understand.
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