a little field work

My class on Thursday: History of the English Language and Chaucer day.

I talked about the history of our delightful language.

I had them do some writing on Chaucer, then we listened to Baba Brinkman's rap version of "The Pardoner's Tale" -- finally, I read them some stories from my Chaucer picture book while they ate cookies.

I've only glanced through their writing.  It's been pretty surprising.  Overall, they really like "The Pardoner's Tale."  I think it's boring now and I thought it was boring in 11th grade, so I was quite surprised by this.  (Gah, ten years ago.)  They didn't like the rap format.

I also asked them to write down anything they knew, if they read him in high school, etc.  The majority of my students -- I mean, like, 20 out of 23 -- claimed not to know who Chaucer is/not to have him in high school.  I find this a little odd, in that I wonder if they read him and just don't remember.  I'm sure I don't remember everything I read in high school.  Still, the fact the wouldn't remember is also quite telling.

But then pointing out that there are flaws in the American school system is like -- well, like any number of cliches.