JCBaggee Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 [color=red]My English teacher came up to me the other day and asked me to teach a class on [u]Mary Shelley's Frankenstein[/u]. It was originally going to be Wednesday, but it's been bumped up to tomorrow and I'm ill-prepared to say the least. So, I was just wondering if you guys had any pointers...? Any help would be appreciated. --J.C.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Webb Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Nothing works better in a last minute presentation than a "bad example" opening. It's a cheap move, but it makes your actual presentation look longer. Start off by telling all of the wrong information and purposely making it look like you don't know what your doing. Make it look obvious, like you know that you don't know what you're talking about. Then say something like "that was wrong" or "just kidding" and then go on with your real presentation. It makes you look creative and no one will notice that your real presentation was only 10 seconds long. :) Trust me, it works. - -EDIT- - That doesn't mean to put no effort into whatever it is you're really supposed to do. My method is supposed to be the extra frosting on the cake or however that cliche goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydney Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Dont say "um" "like" "ah..." or anything that does not need to be said. Stick to the points of what you are going to say. Be ready for questions. Make eye contact on equal sides of the room. Be sure it is "eye" contact. Speak clearly, and speak loud. But do not yell, or have a heighten voice. Dont shiver or shake while you are presenting. Dont shift your weight all the time. It is ok, to use your hands and wave them around if you want but dont over do it. Dress nice, be alert and have at it. Welcome to my world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sui Generis Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Well my advice really depends on what age group you/the class is in. Personally I enjoy it if the presentation is actually directed to me. You know? You get those presentations where it feels like all they are doing is talking to the teachers. Put alittle character in it. Sure I'd be interested in the facts, but if thats all I wanted I'd hop on the net and with in 5 minutes could have more than you stated in your presentation most likely. So all I gotta say is make it interesting, don't make it all facts. That'll bore 'em to death. Character is always a plus...and also what Endymion said is great advice, it works beautifully if done right! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCBaggee Posted November 19, 2002 Author Share Posted November 19, 2002 [color=red]I'm afraid you've misunderstood...this isn't a presentation...I'm actually teaching the class. But thanks...the pointers so far seem like they'll work. --J.C.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Well, there are several supplementary situations that can present themselves in rather unappealing ways while teaching. First of which would be: [b]Damned Nervousness:[/b] If you get nervous, like so many do....Just remember, most of these delinquent classmates will never see you again after your done....If you honestly care what they think of you...than you may as well forget teaching them. Sure, they can give you a hard time, or a good time...or you could just be worried that you will not perform to par. Being ill-prepared for teaching is a worldwide trademark for plenty of teachers. Just keep it cool...even if you dont think you can doit...just ...gosh..just doit, who the hell cares if u choke and lose it... its just a part of life...at least you cant die from it lol. :drunk: [b]No material:[/b] Thats ok....make something up...doit quick and doit simple... READ TO THEM....get them all into some open classroom reading...Make a frikkin wordsearch on the fly...play some games wiht them....hell...its not a big deal...just have fun. ....guess thats all i really think im apt to giving.. since im not a professsor...just tryin to spit out some common sense opinion.... :naughty: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transtic Nerve Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Just show them the movie. I mean, even paid teaching professionals do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cloricus Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 JCBaggee I have no idea why in fact you were asked to teach the class, but I have this advise for you. -RELAX, you try and pretend to be a teacher and you will be shot down before you start. Just teach in a way you feel comfortable. It will come to you after about 15mins naturally, but those 15 mins you'll look like a loser... (SHUT UP FLYNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) -Using cheap tricks will help you get away with allot of things, but don?t stuff them up! (AGAIN - SHUT UP FLYNN!!!) -Know what you are teaching. (AND AGAIN - in fact Flynn don?t even post about this post.) -NEVER EVER lose control though, you must always be in control. -Get in touch with what your class wants to be doing (most classes like to bludge) and come to a common arrangement. Eg, when I'm teaching a section something I try and get it over with quickly so A) they know the stuff and B) they can bludge for the rest of the lesson time. (Reason I've told Flynn to shut up so many times was because he was at the 2nd lesson I had a ago at teaching, and I didn't know any thing about what I was teaching... Know your topic well, is my best advice.) -Lord Epssy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Asphyxia Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by sydney [/i] [B]Welcome to my world. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=darkred]heh, I [i]know[/i] what you mean. Or I think I do. Do you debate, or do drama? As for my advice, don't just bore people. Nobody is going to learn if its boring. Try to intersperce it with something that'll get there attention (but make it relevant to what you're supposed to be teaching). For speeches in general (not just teaching), I find quotes work well. Hehe...as the people (The Harlequin, and Saide) in my History class should know, most of my speeches are pure ******** intersperced with basic facts. Hmmm...Don't act nervous - they will eat you alive if you do. Never let them see your nervous. Shaking is hard to control, but if you put your hands on a desk or something, you can. Don't fiddle with your clothes, it's distracting. Try to be relaxed about it. Smile, if you usually smile. If not, don't let yourself have a completely 'paralysed with fear' look on your face. ...What are you supposed to teach them on Frankenstien? We had to read the play for English, then do a duologue and a character study, and then finish off with a prologue or epilogue. Do you have any idea of what you're going to do for it? What material to cover? You could probably stall by reading out part of the story that 'illistrates the cruelty of human kind' or something like that, which could be added onto by saying your theories of what she was trying to get across in her book. Other than that, all I know is basic facts; Frankenstien was written as a ghost story at her friends place (I forget who's), its an example of gothic literature, Mary Shelley's mother was a well known feminist, Mary Shelly married Percy Shelly, the poet. Sorry I can't help you any more than that...[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 [color=red] Just do what you believe is the correct manner to teach your class. If it doesn't turn out, it doesn't, if it does, it does. Just don't have a live or die attitude toward the whole thing-- Look at it as an opportunity, rather than a burden. Because, when it gets to it all, attitude is the whole basis which makes something good, or bad, as it is.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCBaggee Posted November 19, 2002 Author Share Posted November 19, 2002 [color=red]First off, I will see them again: I'm teaching my English class. Second, I only have 30 minutes. The movie is officially out of the question. What I do have is a summary of the novel, a short bio on Mary Shelley, and a piece on Gothic Literature, as well as 6 questions from the Lit. Book I'm going to orally review with them. I think it'll work out... --J.C.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by JCBaggee [/i] [B][color=red]First off, I will see them again: I'm teaching my English class. Second, I only have 30 minutes. The movie is officially out of the question. --J.C.[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=red] Are you talking to me :therock:? Well, if you are, by a live-or-die situation I meant, don't take it as f you either are going to fail horrbily, or that either you will do wonderful... Because, my main point was attitude is the whole enchillada, me friend.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Oh JC, your a lost cause...there is no use trying to help you..gosh...what i told you was way over your head.. in the end..you will likely not keep tabs on EVERYONE in that class..sure ugot a semester..maybe rest of ure highcshool career..but thats likes 10% of ure life or less...who cares...they are just people...nothing special.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegeta rocker Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 All i can say is don't let them get away with stuff. Do your best with the material you have and good luck. I assume since you were offered this your teacher thinks you can pull it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCBaggee Posted November 19, 2002 Author Share Posted November 19, 2002 [color=red]Okay...I'm done now. It went okay, but I got in and it turns out it wasn't over [u]Frankenstein[/u]...it was over the [u]Introduction to Frankenstein[/u], an excerpt in the book which is just Mary Shelley explaining how she created the novel. The focus was mainly on Gothic Literature. I winged it pretty good, and I"m thinking this is not going to happen for a looooong time. At least, not in this class... --J.C.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegeta rocker Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Well I'm glad it went well for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 [color=red] Ok, glad it turned out well. Since the use of this thread is no longer needed, I will thus close it.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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