Wednesday morning in a computer-enhanced writing classroom.
After taking roll at the start of class, I ask students about their Spring Break plans. (Names and details have been changed.)
ME: All right, so Spring Break is next week, and— [students cheer] —and as you’ll recall from the syllabus, Essay 2 is due the last day before break. That way, you’ll be worry-free during your vacation. So who’s going out of town? [students raise hands] Where are you going, Tommy?
TOMMY: I’m going to Panama City.
ME: Sounds like fun! Anyone else going to Panama City? [half a dozen students raise their hands] How about you, Jameka?
JAMEKA: Myrtle Beach.
ME: All right! Khadim, how about you?
KHADIM: Senegal, to visit my grandmother.
ME: Fantastic! That’s the trip of a lifetime. Michelle?
MICHELLE: I’m going to Guatemala with Habitat for Humanity.
ME: Wow, another life-changing Spring Break! And you, Sarah?
SARAH: My roommates and I are taking the back roads to and from Little Rock.
ME: Great! [noticing frowning student who had raised her hand] Robin, you’re going out of town for the break, right?
ROBIN: Yeah.
ME: You’re not excited?
ROBIN: I’m going home to Newnan. You can’t really call 23 miles “out of town.”