We are reading a book called “The Crossover” in seventh grade Language Arts. We have been studying poetry, and this book is entirely written with poems. And since I always say: “Poetry is meant to be read out loud and heard,” I am reading it out loud in class.
The book is awesome. I highly recommend it. However, there are some emotional parts. I’m reading those right now. I’m trying hard not to get a wobbly voice and teary eyes, but it’s hard. Yesterday I think I might have come up with a solution: I got out a safety pin, and poked it into my leg while I was reading the emotional parts. I successfully read with a mostly straight voice.
Today will be the big test though. It’s the most emotional section of the book. Yikes!
A safety pin! Genius! Much better than my ‘think about carrots’ strategy. I should take a safety pin to church. It seems I’m always crying there.
Good luck with today’s read. If it helps, imaging that I’m behind you with a really big safety pin and I’m ready to stab you. 🙂
I’m really laughing out loud over here!!!!!!!!!! A safety pin!!! That’s not what I expected to read next. I’ve pinched myself before with my fingernails to make myself get a grip! Whatever works!!
As Julia Roberts said to her character’s son in the movie, “You are a wonder!”, Brad Royuk. Love you…
This reminds me of an episode of Friends where Joey describes a similar technique he uses in acting with the completely opposite effect.