Hooray for My New English Class

As a teacher for a long time, I think there's nothing like starting a new class. I've now met with my spring 2012 class twice, and already I see potential in the students: I'm thinking there will be good discussion and smart thinking. I'm using the same textbook but redesigning lessons. I'm incorporating technology into the classroom by huddling with the IT man. I'm thinking about what I could bring into class from my own reading: maybe an essay from David McCullough's Brave Companions. I think they'd like the one about the short-lived "wild west" and Teddy Roosevelt. Or maybe the script of Avatar, available electronically, in which we see things left out of the movie. We'll see. What fun!