That’s it. Classes are over, school is out. In 2 weeks we’ll be taking off for sunnier locations (western/southern China) but until then I have a lot of work to do. Namely, I have to grade finals.
The way the grades here work is that 40% of a student’s full grade is daily participation while 60% is based only on the final. In many ways, I don’t think that is fair. After all, in writing class the students have done a lot of work. I want their work to count for more than just 40%. (On the flip side, someone could do really bad in class all semester long and if they ace the final they could still pass the class which I also don’t think is fair.)
So to make it fair for all, I decided to combine a full semesters worth of work into one glorious final. I had each student make a magazine based on the writing they have done this semester.
What can I say, I have magazine making in my blood.
I gave few requirements: Each magazine had to have a cover with their own title, a letter from the editor, table of contents, and 5 articles. The articles could be revised in-class work, or could be whatever else they wanted to add, as long as it was their own writing. They were free to be as creative as they wanted to be.
The results are amazing. Some of the students clearly excelled at unique layout and drawing styles, while others relished the new writing opportunity, creating their own comics, advice columns and advertisements.
Some magazines were also hilarious (both intentionally and unintentionally). For instance one girl drew a picture of geese and put the lyrics for the song Grey Goose. It’s a rap song by Young Jeezy and some of the lyrics are:
Yo n***** don’t work for Exxon so why you let em’ gas you up?
I’m a ball out until my casket’s shut
Say bruh do me a favor, stop harassin us and
Go that a way! I told you n*****
Man I’m on that grey goose and I don’t know you n****
Then at the bottom she wrote:
On the other hand, here is an intentional funny bit:
Some students poured their feelings into the letter from the editor saying how they have always wanted to create a magazine, and be creative but they had never been allowed before. (One girl even told a story about how she used to love to write make believe stories when she was a kid, but her mom caught her one day and forbad her because it was a waste of time. Stories like that make me mad and happen all too much these days I’m afraid.)
The best part, as a teacher, is being able to sit down and read them. Reading these magazines is never boring as each one is so unique. I almost hate having to grade them because I don’t want to say one is better then the other.
It is a great ending to a great semester. We have 2 free months now, but I am actually really looking forward to getting back to work and I’ve already started planning my classes for next semester. (Wait, did I actually say I was looking forward to getting back to work? Have I ever said that before in my life?!) I know there has to be a downside to living and teaching in China, I just have yet to find it!
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