<p>D’s Honors English teacher has them keep a journal as part of their novel units, esp. Catcher in the Rye. She would assign them to write unfavorably about the real people and events in their lives: friends, siblings, teachers, etc. They were given topics like “Write about your best friend’s fatal flaw.”, or “Write about a time when you got in over your head in a situation–similar to when Holden solicited a prostitute”. So often D would say, “Mom, I’m only 15. I run track, I do homework, I go to bed, and only sometimes do I go to the movies or to hang out with friends. I simply don’t have the types of experiences she wants me to write about. And if I did, I certainly wouldn’t reveal them to her.” The lady wanted to know personal, juicy details, and the student wouldn’t get a good grade unless s/he gave that to her. She would comment on D’s papers “Very, very well written, but I found myself wanting more details.” Some kids in D’s class made up risque experiences, but D didn’t feel comfortable doing that.</p>
<p>By the way, this teacher is someone who takes everything personally. If a student is simply lazy or disorganized and thus doesn’t complete an assignment on time, she says “Do you know what that says to me? It says that you don’t care about my class, and you don’t care about me.” Huh???</p>