If you haven’t noticed, there is a war on.
I’ll never forget the day a few years ago when I sat in an AP Language and Composition summer institute and one of my fellow attendees, a veteran English teacher, looked me right in the eye and said, “You really need to learn to let go of your literary canon.”
That was my first inkling that English teachers exist who want to make refuse of the history of American literature.
While I understand the need to provide mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors for our students, I suggest that we also need to provide a Tardis or two. We need to experience the voice of our nation from the beginning in order to gain the clearest vision and the boldest entrances and exits through those mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors.
Keeping Classics is your place to honor, celebrate, and maybe even study the American classics. Be warned. Here, the American Classics might include some you haven’t considered before. It might even include some you haven’t heard of.
I know. How is that possible, right? Stick around. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
About Me
Let’s see how we can learn together.
I’m a mom, a grandma, a teacher, a writer, and a Kansan, but most of all, I’m a lover of the written word, especially the American written word. I knew in the second grade that I wanted to be a teacher because I thought my teacher had the coolest job in the world. After all, she could stop whatever she was doing and read to us at a whim. When my dad introduced me to the humor of Mark Twain while I was still in grade school, I discovered my area of passion. Many years later, I earned a Bachelors in Secondary English Education from Friends University and a Masters in English from Wichita State University. I celebrate reading and writing with my students through organizations like The Big Read and NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program. I advocate for teacher collaboration and voice as a committee member of the Kansas English blog. My teacher’s quest is to create an appreciation of American Classics for the next generation and the current one, too, if necessary. Based on my summer institute experience, it’s necessary.
I love networking with educators. I’m available for guest posting, workshops, speaking engagements, and video conferencing. Be ready to rip into some dusty ol’ texts and snatch up all the relevant goodness. Contact me at keepingclassics@gmail.com to see how we can learn, grow, and work with each other. Can’t wait to hear from you.
Be well. Read well. Live well.
