Why We Drink

Admit it. You have students who can't string three words together.

The solution? Teaching them to think critically, and communicate through scintillating word usage.

Who am I kidding? The solution is a fine glass of Bordeaux.

Most students have a terrific attitude, seem engaged with the material, and even ask decent questions. But their writing? Just awful. If I taught English courses, they'd fail. I don't read their papers for structure as much as content. Do they understand the material? Usually the answer is 'yes', so they'll receive a passing grade.

Grading these requires one of two crutches: caffeine or alcohol. When reading their papers in morning, I sip on coffee or tea. Earl Gray, Jasmine, Genmaicha, save the sugar and cream for the coffee. At night, let's break open a bottle of wine! Light reading? Perhaps a Riesling. Heavier topics? Pinot Noir. Truly depressing work? Mixed drinks may be in order.

The students at my college have an average reading level of 8th grade. Not a minimum reading level...average. More on this in another blog post.

#think #tea #glass