In a review of my current project on morphology, one of the reviewers wrote, “Love this invitation to word-nerdery!” And at the end of a session I recently gave, a participant said, “Thanks for awakening my secret love of etymology.”
I couldn’t help but smile. If you know me, you know I love words. Always have, I think. It seems others do too!
These recent comments remind me how much we can inspire our students. We know our love of books can be contagious. I’ve also noticed that when I share my love of writing, it seems to give students permission to admit or discover a love of this craft. If we find the origin, meaning, and the sound of words fascinating… perhaps our students will too.
Consider your passions. Do you share them with your class? What interest or love might you awaken in your students?