British Literature for Technical Communications?

[Katie Wisnosky]

Our district offers students the option of taking tech comm classes once they reach ninth grade. For those that may be unfamiliar, they are English classes geared towards students entering the workforce after graduation or attending trade schools. The challenge..the curriculum must be aligned with the regular English classes which means this year I will be teaching tech comm British Lit. style. I'm sending out a plea of help for any lessons dealing with the content that may apply to our blue collar students...our goal is to try to keep interation high and relate everything back to work. For example, when teaching Beawoulf you might prepare a unit on heros in the workplace and what qualities make someone a leader, then interview local business standouts rather then discuss the literary terms and plot. Many thanks in advance!

P.S. I'm also looking for any vocab. for the workplace as well.

[Anne Williams]

Sorry, I don't have anything specific to offer you, Katie. However, for anything British my favourite [note the Br spelling] site is www.teachit.uk This is the site that the UK teachers have for all of their English teaching. I'd look at what your textbook has and then see if there is something there that would fit.
Also, if you aren't a member of the English Companion ning, you might wander over there. It has a very active membership of experienced English teachers.

[Ryan Goble]

Wow, this is a problematic philosophy for a school to adapt isn't it - first off - a fun book kids could read with the heros unit is Tribes or with business in general Purple Cow by Seth Grodin - there a lots of fun easy to read business books that kids might engage in or even "A Whole New Mind."

Also, you might also like:
•this new version of Beowulf from Graphic Universe (plus there are TWO movie versions of this that came out in the last few years)
• This SAT pumped up version of Frankenstein
•Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion to Frankenstein (Bedside,... "Nice Genes, Dr. Frankenstein"

Modern Brit Lit that might be high interest:
• Incendiary by Chris Cleave Modern terrorist and family stuff - just made a movie of it.
• A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby. You'll have to read this summary but it COMPLETELY deals with how to lead a productive life, a bit adult content but FUNNY same author that wrote the novels of About A Boy (Hugh Grant) and High Fidelity (Jack Black).

Besides the "Zombie Pride and Prejudice" these are some "off the dome resources."

I can certainly think of more ideas, but let's see what other folks think of, eh?

Hope this gives you some ideas,

Ryan:)

[Katie Wisnosky]

Thanks Ryan! Great place to start. I have a special effects/technology in the workplace idea planned around Beowulf dealing with the new movie.

[Katie Wisnosky]

Thanks Laura! This article is perfect. I ordered a copy of the book for myself and I know our students will really enjoy reading it. In a class of 20 Tech Comm students about 12 of them will go on to be mechanics so I know this will grab the attention of many.