Book Club Questions for My Homecoming Dance: Reflections on Teaching in Wisconsin
1. The author discusses her frustration with the repetitive yearly training during required in-service sessions. Have you experienced ineffectual training in your job? Have you had people say discouraging things about your occupation? If yes, how do you handle it?
2. Can you relate to the author’s discussion about culling and “decision-making fatigue”? Do you experience any feeling of anxiety about performing your job? Do you have dreams about your workplace? What were your feelings about the author’s description of the bomb threats? The shooter training? Does your place of work have any of these? What should be done about the gun violence in our schools? In society?
3. What do you think about the author’s one-word rule in her classroom? What kinds of rules did teachers have when you were attending school? What were the consequences for breaking those rules? Did you ever break any of the rules? How did you feel about the author’s story about her automatic stapler? Did you ever have anything at work that others misused?
4. Could you relate to the author’s story about taking showers after physical education class? What was it like when you were in high school? Should showers be mandatory? Did you have to give speeches in high school? Do you remember the topic and how you felt? If you had to do the author’s Song Speech assignment, what five songs would make up the soundtrack to your life?
5. Did your high school have any homecoming traditions like toilet papering? Did any of them cause trouble? Did you go to homecoming? What was it like? Did you have to have a date to go? Did you have activities like the author described during your homecoming week celebration when you were in school? What
6. What did you think of the phallic symbols the author found in her classroom? Did students display phallic symbols when you were in high school? What did the teacher do about it? Today, could this be considered sexual harassment?
7. Why do you think the author dedicated an entire chapter to Jane? What did you think about how Jane handled situations with students and with the army recruiters? Do you know anyone like Jane? Why did the author find working with Jane as valuable?
8. Did you read any of the classics in high school? Should students be required to read them? If so, which was your favorite and why? Do you think it is important for high schoolers to be assigned reading? What do you think is more honest, fiction or nonfiction? Why? Which do you prefer reading and why?
9. The author deals with a rascal who plagiarizes, another who sticks a quarter up his nose, one who wants to give her a hug, and another who writes a vocabulary word on the ceiling. How would you have dealt with these teens? Were there rascals in your high school? What kinds of things did they do?
10. The author shares a story about she and some friends in high school drinking vodka and orange juice during open campus lunch. She also shares “the puppy story” with her students. Why do you think she includes these in her memoir? As a student the author gets yelled at by the vice principal for being late to class, and as a teacher gets the principal reprimands her about the missing mouse balls. Have you ever been yelled at for something you felt you didn’t deserve? How did you handle it?
11. Dealing with parents is a big part of a teacher’s job. Thomas went on vacation and didn’t do any of the work he was supposed to do, and his mother wanted him to get another chance. Nathan’s dad insisted his son should not have to retake a test, addressing the author with, “Now, listen, Missy…” What do you think of how the author handled each situation? What would you do in these cases?
12. What did you think of Mr. Persnickety? Have you ever worked with someone that you did not get along with at first but ended up becoming close cohorts?
13. Why was the author confused about Caley and Nelda’s reaction to the writing assignment about the use of the N-word? When you were in high school, did you ever experience any assignments that made you or someone else uncomfortable? Should the musical have been changed because Katie felt uncomfortable with the Asian stereotypes it presented?
14. Why is the author so happy to meet author Frank McCourt? Have you ever met someone that you admired? How did it go?
15. The author relates a variety of experiences with foreign exchange students. What would be the most difficult part of being an exchange student? What country would be your choice to visit as an exchange student? What cultural problems could you see might arise? The author included stories about her Fulbright Memorial Fund trip to Japan? What did you find most interesting?
16. What did you think of Sadie’s opinion about sports and the other students’ reactions to it? Do we take sports too seriously in high school? In our society?
17. The author often relates nostalgic flashbacks of her dad. The one about the army coat shows a scene where they disagree. Why is this important?
18. Miss Clark is important in this memoir, both as the author’s teacher and owner of the Badger Bar. What part did the Badger Bar play in the book? Do you have a particular meeting place where you meet with coworkers?
19. Name and discuss some ways that Wisconsin’s Act 10 affects teachers and public workers then and now. How did the author feel about it? How do you feel about it?
20. The author explains that most books she read in school were by and about men. Was this the same for you? Do you think having a Women’s Literature Unit is a good idea, or is our society past the need for that? What is your favorite book by or about a woman?
21. The author describes the Career Unit, which included students researching a particular career of interest and writing about it. Is this a good idea? What did you think of the author’s path from being a farm wife, to fast food worker, to college student, to English teacher? What was your career path like? What advice would you give high school students about choosing a career?
22. What was it like for the author to return to her high school to have her former teacher as a mentor? Have you ever returned to your high school? Why, and what was it like?
23. The author shared two chapters about the use of technology, one about the positives, and one about the negatives. Can you relate to her examples? Discuss the pros and cons of technology in your workplace. What did you think about the author’s Fahrenheit Video Awards and her class’s video for the Oprah Show? Do students learn from this, or is the use of technology a distraction from learning?
24. The author tells about the death of a student and one of her classmates. She discusses the eeriness of the empty desks. Did you ever have this experience in school or at work? When studying the poem “Thanatopsis,” a contemplation about death, in class, one of the author’s students says, “I can’t wait to die.” What was your reaction? What was he really saying?
25. The author describes the death of a student’s mother, the death of her student Jessie, the death of a peer (Rebecca Lewis), and the death of her own son. How does she cope with these deaths? How do her peers help? Have you ever had to go back to work after the death of a loved one? How did you cope?
26. In the chapter “Stepford Schools,” the author discusses the time I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was removed from the freshmen curriculum because a few parents objected to it. And also how The Scarlet Letter was subject to being banned in other places in the country. What did you think of this? Who should decide what is taught? Have you ever experienced the banning of a book?
27. The author expresses her dislike of too much standardization of curriculum and evaluation in schools, particularly testing. Do you agree or disagree?
28. The author discusses how teaching in a small town often made her a public figure. What standards, if any, should teachers be held to in their private lives? Should a teacher be fired for something they do in their private life?
29. The author is surprised when some students call her “Mom.” Have you ever witnessed this in a classroom? What do you think of this?
30. How does the author decide it is time to retire? If you are retired, how did you know? If you aren’t retired, how will you decide when it is time? Have you ever seen a case where someone is forced into retirement?
Book Club Questions for My Homecoming Dance 1.The author discusses her frustration with the repetitive and unhelpful training during required in-service sessions. In your job, have you experienced training that does not pertain to you or help you do your job? If so, what were they and why do you think administrators or supervisors choose these activities? What could be done to make them more helpful? 2.The author relates the disparaging comments people sometimes make about how teachers shouldn’t complain because they only work only nine months out of the year. How do you feel about this? Have you had people say discouraging things about your occupation? How did you handle the situation? Was logging her hours beyond the classroom an effective way to explain her work situation? Were you surprised by the hours she put in? 3.Can you relate to the author’s discussion about culling and “decision-making fatigue”? How do these affect you in your job? 4.The author describes the dreams she has due to the anxiety when school starts in the fall. What did you think of the dreams she had? Did they seem scary? Do you experience any feeling of anxiety about performing your job? Do you have dreams about your work? 5.What were your feelings about the author’s description of the bomb threats? The shooter training? Does your place of work have any of these? What should be done about the gun violence in our schools? In society? 6.What do you think about the author’s one-word rule in her classroom? What kinds of rules did teachers have when you were attending school? What were the consequences for breaking those rules? Did you ever break any of the rules? How did you feel about the author’s story about her automatic stapler? Did you ever have anything at work that others misused? 7.Could you relate to the author’s story about taking showers after physical education class? What was it like when you were in high school? Should showers be mandatory? 8.Did you have to give speeches in high school? Do you remember the topic and how you felt? If you had to do the author’s Song Speech assignment, what five songs would make up the soundtrack to your life? 9.What do you think of toilet papering someone’s home as a homecoming prank? Did your school have traditions like this? Did any of them cause trouble? What did you think of the coach getting so mad over the toilet papering? 10.What did you think of the author’s homecoming date in high school? Did you go to homecoming? What was it like? Did you have to have a date to go? 11.What did you think of PETA protesting the Kiss the Pig contest? Did you have activities during your homecoming week celebration when you were in school? What were they, and were they illegal or dangerous? 12.What did you think of the phallic symbols the author kept finding in her classroom? Did students display phallic symbols when you were in high school? What did the teacher do about it? 13.Why do you think the author dedicated an entire chapter to Jane? Did you admire Jane? What did you think about how Jane handled the army recruiters? Did you admire her for this? Do you know anyone like Jane? 14.While working as Jane’s aide, the author gets mooned while grocery shopping, goes spelunking, paints a mural, and witnesses a fight between students. What did the author learn from these experiences and from Jane? 15.Did you read any of the classics in high school? Should students be required to read them? Do you think it is important for high schoolers to be assigned reading? Do you have any suggestions for English teachers to get students to read? What do you think is more honest, fiction or nonfiction? Why? Which do you prefer reading and why? 16.The author deals with a rascal who plagiarizes, another who sticks a quarter up his nose, one who wants to give her a hug, and another who writes a vocabulary word on the ceiling. How does the author handle each situation? What would you do? 17.The author shares a story about she and some friends in high school drinking vodka and orange juice during open campus lunch. She also shares “the puppy story” with her students. Why do you think she includes these in her memoir? 18.As a student the author gets yelled at by the vice principal for being late to class, and as a teacher gets the principal reprimands her about the missing mouse balls. Have you ever been yelled at for something you didn’t deserve? How did you handle it? 19.Dealing with parents is a big part of a teacher’s job. Thomas went on vacation and didn’t do any of the work he was supposed to do, and his mother wanted him to get another chance. Nathan’s dad insisted his son should not have to retake a test, addressing the author with, “Now, listen, Missy…” What do you think of how the author handled each situation? What would you do in these cases? 20.What did you think of Mr. Persnickety? Have you ever worked with someone that you did not get along with at first but ended up becoming close cohorts? 21.Why was the author confused about Caley and Nelda’s reaction to the writing assignment about the use of the N-word? When you were in high school, did you ever experience any assignments that made you or someone else uncomfortable? Should the musical have been changed because Katie felt uncomfortable with the Asian stereotypes it presented? 22.Why is the author so happy to meet author Frank McCourt? Why does she become embarrassed? Have you ever met someone that you admired? How did it go? 23.The author relates a variety of experiences with foreign exchange students. Which one do you remember most? What would be the most difficult part of being and exchange student? What country would be your choice to visit as an exchange student? What cultural problems could you see might arise? 24.The author included stories about her Fulbright Memorial Fund trip to Japan? What did you find the most interesting about it? What did you think of her classes making cranes? 25.What did you think of Sadie’s opinion about sports and the other students’ reactions to it? Do we take sports too seriously in high school? In our society? 26.The author often relates nostalgic flashbacks of her dad. The one about the army coat shows a scene where they disagree. Why is this important? 27.Who is Miss Clark? Why is she important in this memoir, both as the author’s teacher and owner of the Badger Bar? What part did the Badger Bar play in the book? Do you have a particular meeting place where you meet with coworkers? 28.Name and discuss some ways that Wisconsin’s Act 10 affect teachers and public workers. How did the author feel about it? How do you feel about it? 29.The author explains that most books she read in school were by and about men. Was this the same for you? Do you think having a Women’s Literature Unit is a good idea, or is our society past the need for that? What is your favorite book by or about a woman? 30.The author describes the Career Unit, which included students researching a particular career of interest and writing about it. Is this a good idea? What did you think of the author’s path from being a farm wife, to fast food worker, to college student, to English teacher? What was your career path like? What advice would you give high school students about choosing a career? 31.What was it like for the author to return to her high school to have her former teacher as a mentor? Have you ever returned to your high school? Why, and what was it like? 32.The author shared two chapters about the use of technology, one about the positives, and one about the negatives. Can you relate to her examples? Discuss the pros and cons of technology in your workplace. What did you think about the author’s Fahrenheit Video Awards and her class’s video for the Oprah Show? Do students learn from this, or is the use of technology a distraction from learning? 33.The author tell about the death of one of her students and about the death of one of her classmates when she was a freshmen. She discusses the eeriness of the empty desks. Did you ever have this experience in school or at work? How was it dealt with? 34.When studying the poem “Thanatopsis,” a contemplation about death, in class, one of the author’s students says, “I can’t wait to die.” What was your reaction? What was he really saying? 35.The author describes the death of one of her student’s mothers, the death of her student Jessie, the death of a peer (Rebecca Lewis), and the death of her own son. How does she cope with these deaths? How do her peers help? Have you ever had to go back to work after the death of a loved one? How did you cope? 36.In the chapter “Stepford Schools,” the author discusses the time “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” was removed from the freshmen curriculum because a few parents objected to it. And also how “The Scarlet Letter” was subject to being banned in other places in the country. What did you think of this? Who should decide what is taught. Have you ever experienced the banning of a book? 37.The author expresses her dislike of too much standardization of curriculum and evaluation in schools, particularly testing. Do you agree or disagree? 38.The author discusses how teaching in a small town often made her a public figure. What did you think of this? What standards, if any, should teachers be held to in their private lives? Should a teacher be fired for something they do in their private life? 39.The author is surprised when some students call her “Mom.” Have you ever witnessed this in a classroom? What do you think of this? 40.How does the author decide it is time to retire? If you are retired, how did you know? If you aren’t retired, how will you decide when it is time?
Book Club Questions for My Homecoming Dance 1.The author discusses her frustration with the repetitive and unhelpful training during required in-service sessions. In your job, have you experienced training that does not pertain to you or help you do your job? If so, what were they and why do you think administrators or supervisors choose these activities? What could be done to make them more helpful? 2.The author relates the disparaging comments people sometimes make about how teachers shouldn’t complain because they only work only nine months out of the year. How do you feel about this? Have you had people say discouraging things about your occupation? How did you handle the situation? Was logging her hours beyond the classroom an effective way to explain her work situation? Were you surprised by the hours she put in? 3.Can you relate to the author’s discussion about culling and “decision-making fatigue”? How do these affect you in your job? 4.The author describes the dreams she has due to the anxiety when school starts in the fall. What did you think of the dreams she had? Did they seem scary? Do you experience any feeling of anxiety about performing your job? Do you have dreams about your work? 5.What were your feelings about the author’s description of the bomb threats? The shooter training? Does your place of work have any of these? What should be done about the gun violence in our schools? In society? 6.What do you think about the author’s one-word rule in her classroom? What kinds of rules did teachers have when you were attending school? What were the consequences for breaking those rules? Did you ever break any of the rules? How did you feel about the author’s story about her automatic stapler? Did you ever have anything at work that others misused? 7.Could you relate to the author’s story about taking showers after physical education class? What was it like when you were in high school? Should showers be mandatory? 8.Did you have to give speeches in high school? Do you remember the topic and how you felt? If you had to do the author’s Song Speech assignment, what five songs would make up the soundtrack to your life? 9.What do you think of toilet papering someone’s home as a homecoming prank? Did your school have traditions like this? Did any of them cause trouble? What did you think of the coach getting so mad over the toilet papering? 10.What did you think of the author’s homecoming date in high school? Did you go to homecoming? What was it like? Did you have to have a date to go? 11.What did you think of PETA protesting the Kiss the Pig contest? Did you have activities during your homecoming week celebration when you were in school? What were they, and were they illegal or dangerous? 12.What did you think of the phallic symbols the author kept finding in her classroom? Did students display phallic symbols when you were in high school? What did the teacher do about it? 13.Why do you think the author dedicated an entire chapter to Jane? Did you admire Jane? What did you think about how Jane handled the army recruiters? Did you admire her for this? Do you know anyone like Jane? 14.While working as Jane’s aide, the author gets mooned while grocery shopping, goes spelunking, paints a mural, and witnesses a fight between students. What did the author learn from these experiences and from Jane? 15.Did you read any of the classics in high school? Should students be required to read them? Do you think it is important for high schoolers to be assigned reading? Do you have any suggestions for English teachers to get students to read? What do you think is more honest, fiction or nonfiction? Why? Which do you prefer reading and why? 16.The author deals with a rascal who plagiarizes, another who sticks a quarter up his nose, one who wants to give her a hug, and another who writes a vocabulary word on the ceiling. How does the author handle each situation? What would you do? 17.The author shares a story about she and some friends in high school drinking vodka and orange juice during open campus lunch. She also shares “the puppy story” with her students. Why do you think she includes these in her memoir? 18.As a student the author gets yelled at by the vice principal for being late to class, and as a teacher gets the principal reprimands her about the missing mouse balls. Have you ever been yelled at for something you didn’t deserve? How did you handle it? 19.Dealing with parents is a big part of a teacher’s job. Thomas went on vacation and didn’t do any of the work he was supposed to do, and his mother wanted him to get another chance. Nathan’s dad insisted his son should not have to retake a test, addressing the author with, “Now, listen, Missy…” What do you think of how the author handled each situation? What would you do in these cases? 20.What did you think of Mr. Persnickety? Have you ever worked with someone that you did not get along with at first but ended up becoming close cohorts? 21.Why was the author confused about Caley and Nelda’s reaction to the writing assignment about the use of the N-word? When you were in high school, did you ever experience any assignments that made you or someone else uncomfortable? Should the musical have been changed because Katie felt uncomfortable with the Asian stereotypes it presented? 22.Why is the author so happy to meet author Frank McCourt? Why does she become embarrassed? Have you ever met someone that you admired? How did it go? 23.The author relates a variety of experiences with foreign exchange students. Which one do you remember most? What would be the most difficult part of being and exchange student? What country would be your choice to visit as an exchange student? What cultural problems could you see might arise? 24.The author included stories about her Fulbright Memorial Fund trip to Japan? What did you find the most interesting about it? What did you think of her classes making cranes? 25.What did you think of Sadie’s opinion about sports and the other students’ reactions to it? Do we take sports too seriously in high school? In our society? 26.The author often relates nostalgic flashbacks of her dad. The one about the army coat shows a scene where they disagree. Why is this important? 27.Who is Miss Clark? Why is she important in this memoir, both as the author’s teacher and owner of the Badger Bar? What part did the Badger Bar play in the book? Do you have a particular meeting place where you meet with coworkers? 28.Name and discuss some ways that Wisconsin’s Act 10 affect teachers and public workers. How did the author feel about it? How do you feel about it? 29.The author explains that most books she read in school were by and about men. Was this the same for you? Do you think having a Women’s Literature Unit is a good idea, or is our society past the need for that? What is your favorite book by or about a woman? 30.The author describes the Career Unit, which included students researching a particular career of interest and writing about it. Is this a good idea? What did you think of the author’s path from being a farm wife, to fast food worker, to college student, to English teacher? What was your career path like? What advice would you give high school students about choosing a career? 31.What was it like for the author to return to her high school to have her former teacher as a mentor? Have you ever returned to your high school? Why, and what was it like? 32.The author shared two chapters about the use of technology, one about the positives, and one about the negatives. Can you relate to her examples? Discuss the pros and cons of technology in your workplace. What did you think about the author’s Fahrenheit Video Awards and her class’s video for the Oprah Show? Do students learn from this, or is the use of technology a distraction from learning? 33.The author tell about the death of one of her students and about the death of one of her classmates when she was a freshmen. She discusses the eeriness of the empty desks. Did you ever have this experience in school or at work? How was it dealt with? 34.When studying the poem “Thanatopsis,” a contemplation about death, in class, one of the author’s students says, “I can’t wait to die.” What was your reaction? What was he really saying? 35.The author describes the death of one of her student’s mothers, the death of her student Jessie, the death of a peer (Rebecca Lewis), and the death of her own son. How does she cope with these deaths? How do her peers help? Have you ever had to go back to work after the death of a loved one? How did you cope? 36.In the chapter “Stepford Schools,” the author discusses the time “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” was removed from the freshmen curriculum because a few parents objected to it. And also how “The Scarlet Letter” was subject to being banned in other places in the country. What did you think of this? Who should decide what is taught. Have you ever experienced the banning of a book? 37.The author expresses her dislike of too much standardization of curriculum and evaluation in schools, particularly testing. Do you agree or disagree? 38.The author discusses how teaching in a small town often made her a public figure. What did you think of this? What standards, if any, should teachers be held to in their private lives? Should a teacher be fired for something they do in their private life? 39.The author is surprised when some students call her “Mom.” Have you ever witnessed this in a classroom? What do you think of this? 40.How does the author decide it is time to retire? If you are retired, how did you know? If you aren’t retired, how will you decide when it is time?
Book Club Questions for My Homecoming Dance 1.The author discusses her frustration with the repetitive and unhelpful training during required in-service sessions. In your job, have you experienced training that does not pertain to you or help you do your job? If so, what were they and why do you think administrators or supervisors choose these activities? What could be done to make them more helpful? 2.The author relates the disparaging comments people sometimes make about how teachers shouldn’t complain because they only work only nine months out of the year. How do you feel about this? Have you had people say discouraging things about your occupation? How did you handle the situation? Was logging her hours beyond the classroom an effective way to explain her work situation? Were you surprised by the hours she put in? 3.Can you relate to the author’s discussion about culling and “decision-making fatigue”? How do these affect you in your job? 4.The author describes the dreams she has due to the anxiety when school starts in the fall. What did you think of the dreams she had? Did they seem scary? Do you experience any feeling of anxiety about performing your job? Do you have dreams about your work? 5.What were your feelings about the author’s description of the bomb threats? The shooter training? Does your place of work have any of these? What should be done about the gun violence in our schools? In society? 6.What do you think about the author’s one-word rule in her classroom? What kinds of rules did teachers have when you were attending school? What were the consequences for breaking those rules? Did you ever break any of the rules? How did you feel about the author’s story about her automatic stapler? Did you ever have anything at work that others misused? 7.Could you relate to the author’s story about taking showers after physical education class? What was it like when you were in high school? Should showers be mandatory? 8.Did you have to give speeches in high school? Do you remember the topic and how you felt? If you had to do the author’s Song Speech assignment, what five songs would make up the soundtrack to your life? 9.What do you think of toilet papering someone’s home as a homecoming prank? Did your school have traditions like this? Did any of them cause trouble? What did you think of the coach getting so mad over the toilet papering? 10.What did you think of the author’s homecoming date in high school? Did you go to homecoming? What was it like? Did you have to have a date to go? 11.What did you think of PETA protesting the Kiss the Pig contest? Did you have activities during your homecoming week celebration when you were in school? What were they, and were they illegal or dangerous? 12.What did you think of the phallic symbols the author kept finding in her classroom? Did students display phallic symbols when you were in high school? What did the teacher do about it? 13.Why do you think the author dedicated an entire chapter to Jane? Did you admire Jane? What did you think about how Jane handled the army recruiters? Did you admire her for this? Do you know anyone like Jane? 14.While working as Jane’s aide, the author gets mooned while grocery shopping, goes spelunking, paints a mural, and witnesses a fight between students. What did the author learn from these experiences and from Jane? 15.Did you read any of the classics in high school? Should students be required to read them? Do you think it is important for high schoolers to be assigned reading? Do you have any suggestions for English teachers to get students to read? What do you think is more honest, fiction or nonfiction? Why? Which do you prefer reading and why? 16.The author deals with a rascal who plagiarizes, another who sticks a quarter up his nose, one who wants to give her a hug, and another who writes a vocabulary word on the ceiling. How does the author handle each situation? What would you do? 17.The author shares a story about she and some friends in high school drinking vodka and orange juice during open campus lunch. She also shares “the puppy story” with her students. Why do you think she includes these in her memoir? 18.As a student the author gets yelled at by the vice principal for being late to class, and as a teacher gets the principal reprimands her about the missing mouse balls. Have you ever been yelled at for something you didn’t deserve? How did you handle it? 19.Dealing with parents is a big part of a teacher’s job. Thomas went on vacation and didn’t do any of the work he was supposed to do, and his mother wanted him to get another chance. Nathan’s dad insisted his son should not have to retake a test, addressing the author with, “Now, listen, Missy…” What do you think of how the author handled each situation? What would you do in these cases? 20.What did you think of Mr. Persnickety? Have you ever worked with someone that you did not get along with at first but ended up becoming close cohorts? 21.Why was the author confused about Caley and Nelda’s reaction to the writing assignment about the use of the N-word? When you were in high school, did you ever experience any assignments that made you or someone else uncomfortable? Should the musical have been changed because Katie felt uncomfortable with the Asian stereotypes it presented? 22.Why is the author so happy to meet author Frank McCourt? Why does she become embarrassed? Have you ever met someone that you admired? How did it go? 23.The author relates a variety of experiences with foreign exchange students. Which one do you remember most? What would be the most difficult part of being and exchange student? What country would be your choice to visit as an exchange student? What cultural problems could you see might arise? 24.The author included stories about her Fulbright Memorial Fund trip to Japan? What did you find the most interesting about it? What did you think of her classes making cranes? 25.What did you think of Sadie’s opinion about sports and the other students’ reactions to it? Do we take sports too seriously in high school? In our society? 26.The author often relates nostalgic flashbacks of her dad. The one about the army coat shows a scene where they disagree. Why is this important? 27.Who is Miss Clark? Why is she important in this memoir, both as the author’s teacher and owner of the Badger Bar? What part did the Badger Bar play in the book? Do you have a particular meeting place where you meet with coworkers? 28.Name and discuss some ways that Wisconsin’s Act 10 affect teachers and public workers. How did the author feel about it? How do you feel about it? 29.The author explains that most books she read in school were by and about men. Was this the same for you? Do you think having a Women’s Literature Unit is a good idea, or is our society past the need for that? What is your favorite book by or about a woman? 30.The author describes the Career Unit, which included students researching a particular career of interest and writing about it. Is this a good idea? What did you think of the author’s path from being a farm wife, to fast food worker, to college student, to English teacher? What was your career path like? What advice would you give high school students about choosing a career? 31.What was it like for the author to return to her high school to have her former teacher as a mentor? Have you ever returned to your high school? Why, and what was it like? 32.The author shared two chapters about the use of technology, one about the positives, and one about the negatives. Can you relate to her examples? Discuss the pros and cons of technology in your workplace. What did you think about the author’s Fahrenheit Video Awards and her class’s video for the Oprah Show? Do students learn from this, or is the use of technology a distraction from learning? 33.The author tell about the death of one of her students and about the death of one of her classmates when she was a freshmen. She discusses the eeriness of the empty desks. Did you ever have this experience in school or at work? How was it dealt with? 34.When studying the poem “Thanatopsis,” a contemplation about death, in class, one of the author’s students says, “I can’t wait to die.” What was your reaction? What was he really saying? 35.The author describes the death of one of her student’s mothers, the death of her student Jessie, the death of a peer (Rebecca Lewis), and the death of her own son. How does she cope with these deaths? How do her peers help? Have you ever had to go back to work after the death of a loved one? How did you cope? 36.In the chapter “Stepford Schools,” the author discusses the time “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” was removed from the freshmen curriculum because a few parents objected to it. And also how “The Scarlet Letter” was subject to being banned in other places in the country. What did you think of this? Who should decide what is taught. Have you ever experienced the banning of a book? 37.The author expresses her dislike of too much standardization of curriculum and evaluation in schools, particularly testing. Do you agree or disagree? 38.The author discusses how teaching in a small town often made her a public figure. What did you think of this? What standards, if any, should teachers be held to in their private lives? Should a teacher be fired for something they do in their private life? 39.The author is surprised when some students call her “Mom.” Have you ever witnessed this in a classroom? What do you think of this? 40.How does the author decide it is time to retire? If you are retired, how did you know? If you aren’t retired, how will you decide when it is time?
Book Club Questions for My Homecoming Dance 1.The author discusses her frustration with the repetitive and unhelpful training during required in-service sessions. In your job, have you experienced training that does not pertain to you or help you do your job? If so, what were they and why do you think administrators or supervisors choose these activities? What could be done to make them more helpful? 2.The author relates the disparaging comments people sometimes make about how teachers shouldn’t complain because they only work only nine months out of the year. How do you feel about this? Have you had people say discouraging things about your occupation? How did you handle the situation? Was logging her hours beyond the classroom an effective way to explain her work situation? Were you surprised by the hours she put in? 3.Can you relate to the author’s discussion about culling and “decision-making fatigue”? How do these affect you in your job? 4.The author describes the dreams she has due to the anxiety when school starts in the fall. What did you think of the dreams she had? Did they seem scary? Do you experience any feeling of anxiety about performing your job? Do you have dreams about your work? 5.What were your feelings about the author’s description of the bomb threats? The shooter training? Does your place of work have any of these? What should be done about the gun violence in our schools? In society? 6.What do you think about the author’s one-word rule in her classroom? What kinds of rules did teachers have when you were attending school? What were the consequences for breaking those rules? Did you ever break any of the rules? How did you feel about the author’s story about her automatic stapler? Did you ever have anything at work that others misused? 7.Could you relate to the author’s story about taking showers after physical education class? What was it like when you were in high school? Should showers be mandatory? 8.Did you have to give speeches in high school? Do you remember the topic and how you felt? If you had to do the author’s Song Speech assignment, what five songs would make up the soundtrack to your life? 9.What do you think of toilet papering someone’s home as a homecoming prank? Did your school have traditions like this? Did any of them cause trouble? What did you think of the coach getting so mad over the toilet papering? 10.What did you think of the author’s homecoming date in high school? Did you go to homecoming? What was it like? Did you have to have a date to go? 11.What did you think of PETA protesting the Kiss the Pig contest? Did you have activities during your homecoming week celebration when you were in school? What were they, and were they illegal or dangerous? 12.What did you think of the phallic symbols the author kept finding in her classroom? Did students display phallic symbols when you were in high school? What did the teacher do about it? 13.Why do you think the author dedicated an entire chapter to Jane? Did you admire Jane? What did you think about how Jane handled the army recruiters? Did you admire her for this? Do you know anyone like Jane? 14.While working as Jane’s aide, the author gets mooned while grocery shopping, goes spelunking, paints a mural, and witnesses a fight between students. What did the author learn from these experiences and from Jane? 15.Did you read any of the classics in high school? Should students be required to read them? Do you think it is important for high schoolers to be assigned reading? Do you have any suggestions for English teachers to get students to read? What do you think is more honest, fiction or nonfiction? Why? Which do you prefer reading and why? 16.The author deals with a rascal who plagiarizes, another who sticks a quarter up his nose, one who wants to give her a hug, and another who writes a vocabulary word on the ceiling. How does the author handle each situation? What would you do? 17.The author shares a story about she and some friends in high school drinking vodka and orange juice during open campus lunch. She also shares “the puppy story” with her students. Why do you think she includes these in her memoir? 18.As a student the author gets yelled at by the vice principal for being late to class, and as a teacher gets the principal reprimands her about the missing mouse balls. Have you ever been yelled at for something you didn’t deserve? How did you handle it? 19.Dealing with parents is a big part of a teacher’s job. Thomas went on vacation and didn’t do any of the work he was supposed to do, and his mother wanted him to get another chance. Nathan’s dad insisted his son should not have to retake a test, addressing the author with, “Now, listen, Missy…” What do you think of how the author handled each situation? What would you do in these cases? 20.What did you think of Mr. Persnickety? Have you ever worked with someone that you did not get along with at first but ended up becoming close cohorts? 21.Why was the author confused about Caley and Nelda’s reaction to the writing assignment about the use of the N-word? When you were in high school, did you ever experience any assignments that made you or someone else uncomfortable? Should the musical have been changed because Katie felt uncomfortable with the Asian stereotypes it presented? 22.Why is the author so happy to meet author Frank McCourt? Why does she become embarrassed? Have you ever met someone that you admired? How did it go? 23.The author relates a variety of experiences with foreign exchange students. Which one do you remember most? What would be the most difficult part of being and exchange student? What country would be your choice to visit as an exchange student? What cultural problems could you see might arise? 24.The author included stories about her Fulbright Memorial Fund trip to Japan? What did you find the most interesting about it? What did you think of her classes making cranes? 25.What did you think of Sadie’s opinion about sports and the other students’ reactions to it? Do we take sports too seriously in high school? In our society? 26.The author often relates nostalgic flashbacks of her dad. The one about the army coat shows a scene where they disagree. Why is this important? 27.Who is Miss Clark? Why is she important in this memoir, both as the author’s teacher and owner of the Badger Bar? What part did the Badger Bar play in the book? Do you have a particular meeting place where you meet with coworkers? 28.Name and discuss some ways that Wisconsin’s Act 10 affect teachers and public workers. How did the author feel about it? How do you feel about it? 29.The author explains that most books she read in school were by and about men. Was this the same for you? Do you think having a Women’s Literature Unit is a good idea, or is our society past the need for that? What is your favorite book by or about a woman? 30.The author describes the Career Unit, which included students researching a particular career of interest and writing about it. Is this a good idea? What did you think of the author’s path from being a farm wife, to fast food worker, to college student, to English teacher? What was your career path like? What advice would you give high school students about choosing a career? 31.What was it like for the author to return to her high school to have her former teacher as a mentor? Have you ever returned to your high school? Why, and what was it like? 32.The author shared two chapters about the use of technology, one about the positives, and one about the negatives. Can you relate to her examples? Discuss the pros and cons of technology in your workplace. What did you think about the author’s Fahrenheit Video Awards and her class’s video for the Oprah Show? Do students learn from this, or is the use of technology a distraction from learning? 33.The author tell about the death of one of her students and about the death of one of her classmates when she was a freshmen. She discusses the eeriness of the empty desks. Did you ever have this experience in school or at work? How was it dealt with? 34.When studying the poem “Thanatopsis,” a contemplation about death, in class, one of the author’s students says, “I can’t wait to die.” What was your reaction? What was he really saying? 35.The author describes the death of one of her student’s mothers, the death of her student Jessie, the death of a peer (Rebecca Lewis), and the death of her own son. How does she cope with these deaths? How do her peers help? Have you ever had to go back to work after the death of a loved one? How did you cope? 36.In the chapter “Stepford Schools,” the author discusses the time “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” was removed from the freshmen curriculum because a few parents objected to it. And also how “The Scarlet Letter” was subject to being banned in other places in the country. What did you think of this? Who should decide what is taught. Have you ever experienced the banning of a book? 37.The author expresses her dislike of too much standardization of curriculum and evaluation in schools, particularly testing. Do you agree or disagree? 38.The author discusses how teaching in a small town often made her a public figure. What did you think of this? What standards, if any, should teachers be held to in their private lives? Should a teacher be fired for something they do in their private life? 39.The author is surprised when some students call her “Mom.” Have you ever witnessed this in a classroom? What do you think of this? 40.How does the author decide it is time to retire? If you are retired, how did you know? If you aren’t retired, how will you decide when it is time?
Book Club Questions for My Homecoming Dance 1.The author discusses her frustration with the repetitive and unhelpful training during required in-service sessions. In your job, have you experienced training that does not pertain to you or help you do your job? If so, what were they and why do you think administrators or supervisors choose these activities? What could be done to make them more helpful? 2.The author relates the disparaging comments people sometimes make about how teachers shouldn’t complain because they only work only nine months out of the year. How do you feel about this? Have you had people say discouraging things about your occupation? How did you handle the situation? Was logging her hours beyond the classroom an effective way to explain her work situation? Were you surprised by the hours she put in? 3.Can you relate to the author’s discussion about culling and “decision-making fatigue”? How do these affect you in your job? 4.The author describes the dreams she has due to the anxiety when school starts in the fall. What did you think of the dreams she had? Did they seem scary? Do you experience any feeling of anxiety about performing your job? Do you have dreams about your work? 5.What were your feelings about the author’s description of the bomb threats? The shooter training? Does your place of work have any of these? What should be done about the gun violence in our schools? In society? 6.What do you think about the author’s one-word rule in her classroom? What kinds of rules did teachers have when you were attending school? What were the consequences for breaking those rules? Did you ever break any of the rules? How did you feel about the author’s story about her automatic stapler? Did you ever have anything at work that others misused? 7.Could you relate to the author’s story about taking showers after physical education class? What was it like when you were in high school? Should showers be mandatory? 8.Did you have to give speeches in high school? Do you remember the topic and how you felt? If you had to do the author’s Song Speech assignment, what five songs would make up the soundtrack to your life? 9.What do you think of toilet papering someone’s home as a homecoming prank? Did your school have traditions like this? Did any of them cause trouble? What did you think of the coach getting so mad over the toilet papering? 10.What did you think of the author’s homecoming date in high school? Did you go to homecoming? What was it like? Did you have to have a date to go? 11.What did you think of PETA protesting the Kiss the Pig contest? Did you have activities during your homecoming week celebration when you were in school? What were they, and were they illegal or dangerous? 12.What did you think of the phallic symbols the author kept finding in her classroom? Did students display phallic symbols when you were in high school? What did the teacher do about it? 13.Why do you think the author dedicated an entire chapter to Jane? Did you admire Jane? What did you think about how Jane handled the army recruiters? Did you admire her for this? Do you know anyone like Jane? 14.While working as Jane’s aide, the author gets mooned while grocery shopping, goes spelunking, paints a mural, and witnesses a fight between students. What did the author learn from these experiences and from Jane? 15.Did you read any of the classics in high school? Should students be required to read them? Do you think it is important for high schoolers to be assigned reading? Do you have any suggestions for English teachers to get students to read? What do you think is more honest, fiction or nonfiction? Why? Which do you prefer reading and why? 16.The author deals with a rascal who plagiarizes, another who sticks a quarter up his nose, one who wants to give her a hug, and another who writes a vocabulary word on the ceiling. How does the author handle each situation? What would you do? 17.The author shares a story about she and some friends in high school drinking vodka and orange juice during open campus lunch. She also shares “the puppy story” with her students. Why do you think she includes these in her memoir? 18.As a student the author gets yelled at by the vice principal for being late to class, and as a teacher gets the principal reprimands her about the missing mouse balls. Have you ever been yelled at for something you didn’t deserve? How did you handle it? 19.Dealing with parents is a big part of a teacher’s job. Thomas went on vacation and didn’t do any of the work he was supposed to do, and his mother wanted him to get another chance. Nathan’s dad insisted his son should not have to retake a test, addressing the author with, “Now, listen, Missy…” What do you think of how the author handled each situation? What would you do in these cases? 20.What did you think of Mr. Persnickety? Have you ever worked with someone that you did not get along with at first but ended up becoming close cohorts? 21.Why was the author confused about Caley and Nelda’s reaction to the writing assignment about the use of the N-word? When you were in high school, did you ever experience any assignments that made you or someone else uncomfortable? Should the musical have been changed because Katie felt uncomfortable with the Asian stereotypes it presented? 22.Why is the author so happy to meet author Frank McCourt? Why does she become embarrassed? Have you ever met someone that you admired? How did it go? 23.The author relates a variety of experiences with foreign exchange students. Which one do you remember most? What would be the most difficult part of being and exchange student? What country would be your choice to visit as an exchange student? What cultural problems could you see might arise? 24.The author included stories about her Fulbright Memorial Fund trip to Japan? What did you find the most interesting about it? What did you think of her classes making cranes? 25.What did you think of Sadie’s opinion about sports and the other students’ reactions to it? Do we take sports too seriously in high school? In our society? 26.The author often relates nostalgic flashbacks of her dad. The one about the army coat shows a scene where they disagree. Why is this important? 27.Who is Miss Clark? Why is she important in this memoir, both as the author’s teacher and owner of the Badger Bar? What part did the Badger Bar play in the book? Do you have a particular meeting place where you meet with coworkers? 28.Name and discuss some ways that Wisconsin’s Act 10 affect teachers and public workers. How did the author feel about it? How do you feel about it? 29.The author explains that most books she read in school were by and about men. Was this the same for you? Do you think having a Women’s Literature Unit is a good idea, or is our society past the need for that? What is your favorite book by or about a woman? 30.The author describes the Career Unit, which included students researching a particular career of interest and writing about it. Is this a good idea? What did you think of the author’s path from being a farm wife, to fast food worker, to college student, to English teacher? What was your career path like? What advice would you give high school students about choosing a career? 31.What was it like for the author to return to her high school to have her former teacher as a mentor? Have you ever returned to your high school? Why, and what was it like? 32.The author shared two chapters about the use of technology, one about the positives, and one about the negatives. Can you relate to her examples? Discuss the pros and cons of technology in your workplace. What did you think about the author’s Fahrenheit Video Awards and her class’s video for the Oprah Show? Do students learn from this, or is the use of technology a distraction from learning? 33.The author tell about the death of one of her students and about the death of one of her classmates when she was a freshmen. She discusses the eeriness of the empty desks. Did you ever have this experience in school or at work? How was it dealt with? 34.When studying the poem “Thanatopsis,” a contemplation about death, in class, one of the author’s students says, “I can’t wait to die.” What was your reaction? What was he really saying? 35.The author describes the death of one of her student’s mothers, the death of her student Jessie, the death of a peer (Rebecca Lewis), and the death of her own son. How does she cope with these deaths? How do her peers help? Have you ever had to go back to work after the death of a loved one? How did you cope? 36.In the chapter “Stepford Schools,” the author discusses the time “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” was removed from the freshmen curriculum because a few parents objected to it. And also how “The Scarlet Letter” was subject to being banned in other places in the country. What did you think of this? Who should decide what is taught. Have you ever experienced the banning of a book? 37.The author expresses her dislike of too much standardization of curriculum and evaluation in schools, particularly testing. Do you agree or disagree? 38.The author discusses how teaching in a small town often made her a public figure. What did you think of this? What standards, if any, should teachers be held to in their private lives? Should a teacher be fired for something they do in their private life? 39.The author is surprised when some students call her “Mom.” Have you ever witnessed this in a classroom? What do you think of this? 40.How does the author decide it is time to retire? If you are retired, how did you know? If you aren’t retired, how will you decide when it is time?
Book Club Questions for My Homecoming Dance 1.The author discusses her frustration with the repetitive and unhelpful training during required in-service sessions. In your job, have you experienced training that does not pertain to you or help you do your job? If so, what were they and why do you think administrators or supervisors choose these activities? What could be done to make them more helpful? 2.The author relates the disparaging comments people sometimes make about how teachers shouldn’t complain because they only work only nine months out of the year. How do you feel about this? Have you had people say discouraging things about your occupation? How did you handle the situation? Was logging her hours beyond the classroom an effective way to explain her work situation? Were you surprised by the hours she put in? 3.Can you relate to the author’s discussion about culling and “decision-making fatigue”? How do these affect you in your job? 4.The author describes the dreams she has due to the anxiety when school starts in the fall. What did you think of the dreams she had? Did they seem scary? Do you experience any feeling of anxiety about performing your job? Do you have dreams about your work? 5.What were your feelings about the author’s description of the bomb threats? The shooter training? Does your place of work have any of these? What should be done about the gun violence in our schools? In society? 6.What do you think about the author’s one-word rule in her classroom? What kinds of rules did teachers have when you were attending school? What were the consequences for breaking those rules? Did you ever break any of the rules? How did you feel about the author’s story about her automatic stapler? Did you ever have anything at work that others misused? 7.Could you relate to the author’s story about taking showers after physical education class? What was it like when you were in high school? Should showers be mandatory? 8.Did you have to give speeches in high school? Do you remember the topic and how you felt? If you had to do the author’s Song Speech assignment, what five songs would make up the soundtrack to your life? 9.What do you think of toilet papering someone’s home as a homecoming prank? Did your school have traditions like this? Did any of them cause trouble? What did you think of the coach getting so mad over the toilet papering? 10.What did you think of the author’s homecoming date in high school? Did you go to homecoming? What was it like? Did you have to have a date to go? 11.What did you think of PETA protesting the Kiss the Pig contest? Did you have activities during your homecoming week celebration when you were in school? What were they, and were they illegal or dangerous? 12.What did you think of the phallic symbols the author kept finding in her classroom? Did students display phallic symbols when you were in high school? What did the teacher do about it? 13.Why do you think the author dedicated an entire chapter to Jane? Did you admire Jane? What did you think about how Jane handled the army recruiters? Did you admire her for this? Do you know anyone like Jane? 14.While working as Jane’s aide, the author gets mooned while grocery shopping, goes spelunking, paints a mural, and witnesses a fight between students. What did the author learn from these experiences and from Jane? 15.Did you read any of the classics in high school? Should students be required to read them? Do you think it is important for high schoolers to be assigned reading? Do you have any suggestions for English teachers to get students to read? What do you think is more honest, fiction or nonfiction? Why? Which do you prefer reading and why? 16.The author deals with a rascal who plagiarizes, another who sticks a quarter up his nose, one who wants to give her a hug, and another who writes a vocabulary word on the ceiling. How does the author handle each situation? What would you do? 17.The author shares a story about she and some friends in high school drinking vodka and orange juice during open campus lunch. She also shares “the puppy story” with her students. Why do you think she includes these in her memoir? 18.As a student the author gets yelled at by the vice principal for being late to class, and as a teacher gets the principal reprimands her about the missing mouse balls. Have you ever been yelled at for something you didn’t deserve? How did you handle it? 19.Dealing with parents is a big part of a teacher’s job. Thomas went on vacation and didn’t do any of the work he was supposed to do, and his mother wanted him to get another chance. Nathan’s dad insisted his son should not have to retake a test, addressing the author with, “Now, listen, Missy…” What do you think of how the author handled each situation? What would you do in these cases? 20.What did you think of Mr. Persnickety? Have you ever worked with someone that you did not get along with at first but ended up becoming close cohorts? 21.Why was the author confused about Caley and Nelda’s reaction to the writing assignment about the use of the N-word? When you were in high school, did you ever experience any assignments that made you or someone else uncomfortable? Should the musical have been changed because Katie felt uncomfortable with the Asian stereotypes it presented? 22.Why is the author so happy to meet author Frank McCourt? Why does she become embarrassed? Have you ever met someone that you admired? How did it go? 23.The author relates a variety of experiences with foreign exchange students. Which one do you remember most? What would be the most difficult part of being and exchange student? What country would be your choice to visit as an exchange student? What cultural problems could you see might arise? 24.The author included stories about her Fulbright Memorial Fund trip to Japan? What did you find the most interesting about it? What did you think of her classes making cranes? 25.What did you think of Sadie’s opinion about sports and the other students’ reactions to it? Do we take sports too seriously in high school? In our society? 26.The author often relates nostalgic flashbacks of her dad. The one about the army coat shows a scene where they disagree. Why is this important? 27.Who is Miss Clark? Why is she important in this memoir, both as the author’s teacher and owner of the Badger Bar? What part did the Badger Bar play in the book? Do you have a particular meeting place where you meet with coworkers? 28.Name and discuss some ways that Wisconsin’s Act 10 affect teachers and public workers. How did the author feel about it? How do you feel about it? 29.The author explains that most books she read in school were by and about men. Was this the same for you? Do you think having a Women’s Literature Unit is a good idea, or is our society past the need for that? What is your favorite book by or about a woman? 30.The author describes the Career Unit, which included students researching a particular career of interest and writing about it. Is this a good idea? What did you think of the author’s path from being a farm wife, to fast food worker, to college student, to English teacher? What was your career path like? What advice would you give high school students about choosing a career? 31.What was it like for the author to return to her high school to have her former teacher as a mentor? Have you ever returned to your high school? Why, and what was it like? 32.The author shared two chapters about the use of technology, one about the positives, and one about the negatives. Can you relate to her examples? Discuss the pros and cons of technology in your workplace. What did you think about the author’s Fahrenheit Video Awards and her class’s video for the Oprah Show? Do students learn from this, or is the use of technology a distraction from learning? 33.The author tell about the death of one of her students and about the death of one of her classmates when she was a freshmen. She discusses the eeriness of the empty desks. Did you ever have this experience in school or at work? How was it dealt with? 34.When studying the poem “Thanatopsis,” a contemplation about death, in class, one of the author’s students says, “I can’t wait to die.” What was your reaction? What was he really saying? 35.The author describes the death of one of her student’s mothers, the death of her student Jessie, the death of a peer (Rebecca Lewis), and the death of her own son. How does she cope with these deaths? How do her peers help? Have you ever had to go back to work after the death of a loved one? How did you cope? 36.In the chapter “Stepford Schools,” the author discusses the time “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” was removed from the freshmen curriculum because a few parents objected to it. And also how “The Scarlet Letter” was subject to being banned in other places in the country. What did you think of this? Who should decide what is taught. Have you ever experienced the banning of a book? 37.The author expresses her dislike of too much standardization of curriculum and evaluation in schools, particularly testing. Do you agree or disagree? 38.The author discusses how teaching in a small town often made her a public figure. What did you think of this? What standards, if any, should teachers be held to in their private lives? Should a teacher be fired for something they do in their private life? 39.The author is surprised when some students call her “Mom.” Have you ever witnessed this in a classroom? What do you think of this? 40.How does the author decide it is time to retire? If you are retired, how did you know? If you aren’t retired, how will you decide when it is time?
Book Club Questions for My Homecoming Dance 1.The author discusses her frustration with the repetitive and unhelpful training during required in-service sessions. In your job, have you experienced training that does not pertain to you or help you do your job? If so, what were they and why do you think administrators or supervisors choose these activities? What could be done to make them more helpful? 2.The author relates the disparaging comments people sometimes make about how teachers shouldn’t complain because they only work only nine months out of the year. How do you feel about this? Have you had people say discouraging things about your occupation? How did you handle the situation? Was logging her hours beyond the classroom an effective way to explain her work situation? Were you surprised by the hours she put in? 3.Can you relate to the author’s discussion about culling and “decision-making fatigue”? How do these affect you in your job? 4.The author describes the dreams she has due to the anxiety when school starts in the fall. What did you think of the dreams she had? Did they seem scary? Do you experience any feeling of anxiety about performing your job? Do you have dreams about your work? 5.What were your feelings about the author’s description of the bomb threats? The shooter training? Does your place of work have any of these? What should be done about the gun violence in our schools? In society? 6.What do you think about the author’s one-word rule in her classroom? What kinds of rules did teachers have when you were attending school? What were the consequences for breaking those rules? Did you ever break any of the rules? How did you feel about the author’s story about her automatic stapler? Did you ever have anything at work that others misused? 7.Could you relate to the author’s story about taking showers after physical education class? What was it like when you were in high school? Should showers be mandatory? 8.Did you have to give speeches in high school? Do you remember the topic and how you felt? If you had to do the author’s Song Speech assignment, what five songs would make up the soundtrack to your life? 9.What do you think of toilet papering someone’s home as a homecoming prank? Did your school have traditions like this? Did any of them cause trouble? What did you think of the coach getting so mad over the toilet papering? 10.What did you think of the author’s homecoming date in high school? Did you go to homecoming? What was it like? Did you have to have a date to go? 11.What did you think of PETA protesting the Kiss the Pig contest? Did you have activities during your homecoming week celebration when you were in school? What were they, and were they illegal or dangerous? 12.What did you think of the phallic symbols the author kept finding in her classroom? Did students display phallic symbols when you were in high school? What did the teacher do about it? 13.Why do you think the author dedicated an entire chapter to Jane? Did you admire Jane? What did you think about how Jane handled the army recruiters? Did you admire her for this? Do you know anyone like Jane? 14.While working as Jane’s aide, the author gets mooned while grocery shopping, goes spelunking, paints a mural, and witnesses a fight between students. What did the author learn from these experiences and from Jane? 15.Did you read any of the classics in high school? Should students be required to read them? Do you think it is important for high schoolers to be assigned reading? Do you have any suggestions for English teachers to get students to read? What do you think is more honest, fiction or nonfiction? Why? Which do you prefer reading and why? 16.The author deals with a rascal who plagiarizes, another who sticks a quarter up his nose, one who wants to give her a hug, and another who writes a vocabulary word on the ceiling. How does the author handle each situation? What would you do? 17.The author shares a story about she and some friends in high school drinking vodka and orange juice during open campus lunch. She also shares “the puppy story” with her students. Why do you think she includes these in her memoir? 18.As a student the author gets yelled at by the vice principal for being late to class, and as a teacher gets the principal reprimands her about the missing mouse balls. Have you ever been yelled at for something you didn’t deserve? How did you handle it? 19.Dealing with parents is a big part of a teacher’s job. Thomas went on vacation and didn’t do any of the work he was supposed to do, and his mother wanted him to get another chance. Nathan’s dad insisted his son should not have to retake a test, addressing the author with, “Now, listen, Missy…” What do you think of how the author handled each situation? What would you do in these cases? 20.What did you think of Mr. Persnickety? Have you ever worked with someone that you did not get along with at first but ended up becoming close cohorts? 21.Why was the author confused about Caley and Nelda’s reaction to the writing assignment about the use of the N-word? When you were in high school, did you ever experience any assignments that made you or someone else uncomfortable? Should the musical have been changed because Katie felt uncomfortable with the Asian stereotypes it presented? 22.Why is the author so happy to meet author Frank McCourt? Why does she become embarrassed? Have you ever met someone that you admired? How did it go? 23.The author relates a variety of experiences with foreign exchange students. Which one do you remember most? What would be the most difficult part of being and exchange student? What country would be your choice to visit as an exchange student? What cultural problems could you see might arise? 24.The author included stories about her Fulbright Memorial Fund trip to Japan? What did you find the most interesting about it? What did you think of her classes making cranes? 25.What did you think of Sadie’s opinion about sports and the other students’ reactions to it? Do we take sports too seriously in high school? In our society? 26.The author often relates nostalgic flashbacks of her dad. The one about the army coat shows a scene where they disagree. Why is this important? 27.Who is Miss Clark? Why is she important in this memoir, both as the author’s teacher and owner of the Badger Bar? What part did the Badger Bar play in the book? Do you have a particular meeting place where you meet with coworkers? 28.Name and discuss some ways that Wisconsin’s Act 10 affect teachers and public workers. How did the author feel about it? How do you feel about it? 29.The author explains that most books she read in school were by and about men. Was this the same for you? Do you think having a Women’s Literature Unit is a good idea, or is our society past the need for that? What is your favorite book by or about a woman? 30.The author describes the Career Unit, which included students researching a particular career of interest and writing about it. Is this a good idea? What did you think of the author’s path from being a farm wife, to fast food worker, to college student, to English teacher? What was your career path like? What advice would you give high school students about choosing a career? 31.What was it like for the author to return to her high school to have her former teacher as a mentor? Have you ever returned to your high school? Why, and what was it like? 32.The author shared two chapters about the use of technology, one about the positives, and one about the negatives. Can you relate to her examples? Discuss the pros and cons of technology in your workplace. What did you think about the author’s Fahrenheit Video Awards and her class’s video for the Oprah Show? Do students learn from this, or is the use of technology a distraction from learning? 33.The author tell about the death of one of her students and about the death of one of her classmates when she was a freshmen. She discusses the eeriness of the empty desks. Did you ever have this experience in school or at work? How was it dealt with? 34.When studying the poem “Thanatopsis,” a contemplation about death, in class, one of the author’s students says, “I can’t wait to die.” What was your reaction? What was he really saying? 35.The author describes the death of one of her student’s mothers, the death of her student Jessie, the death of a peer (Rebecca Lewis), and the death of her own son. How does she cope with these deaths? How do her peers help? Have you ever had to go back to work after the death of a loved one? How did you cope? 36.In the chapter “Stepford Schools,” the author discusses the time “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” was removed from the freshmen curriculum because a few parents objected to it. And also how “The Scarlet Letter” was subject to being banned in other places in the country. What did you think of this? Who should decide what is taught. Have you ever experienced the banning of a book? 37.The author expresses her dislike of too much standardization of curriculum and evaluation in schools, particularly testing. Do you agree or disagree? 38.The author discusses how teaching in a small town often made her a public figure. What did you think of this? What standards, if any, should teachers be held to in their private lives? Should a teacher be fired for something they do in their private life? 39.The author is surprised when some students call her “Mom.” Have you ever witnessed this in a classroom? What do you think of this? 40.How does the author decide it is time to retire? If you are retired, how did you know? If you aren’t retired, how will you decide when it is time?