(assignment 25) Beatles Reference - Kevin LaZur

Freedom is the main theme I got from this class. This can be seen in the "2 feet/2 legs" (I don't remember) rule where we could use a hall pass whenever we wanted, the leniency on cell phone usage in class, and assignments such as blog posts where the content has very broad boundaries. I really like these parts of class because it's comforting to have a course where I have most of the control over what I'm doing for the assignment. I also believe that this is your way of getting us prepared for our futures, where these liberties turn into responsibilities that we must face to have control over our lives. The funny thing is that I can't tell if I'm on the right track about this, or just over thinking your laid-back style.

Whatever the reason for your teaching method, it created an enjoyable class. I also found the timed writings to be an effective way to prepare for the AP test. At first I felt uncomfortable about facing the firing squad of my peers. Then we eventually finished doing them, and I was happy. I get embarrassed at the idea that someone may tear my essay down remorselessly, then I got critical of myself for being embarrassed at something constructed to protect me from the spotlight.

I feel like high school is the worst setting for the blind scoring procedure. I, for one, feel like it creates a hostile environment because I'm not mature enough to handle criticism that will never backlash on the speaker. As with a firing squad, each shooter doesn't know if he is shooting a blank or a real bullet. But I am also past the point where I can naively laugh off this discomfort. All this being said, It's a very effective exercise in getting perspective when thinking about the AP essays.