A Tale of Personalized Learning

What do you know about the writing style of Charles Dickens? 

Beth Lange’s honors English students at West Freshman would immediately tell you that Dickens uses coincidence, cliffhangers, symbolic names, metaphors and similes in his writing. Just to name a few.

When introducing the novel “A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens, Lange forewarns her students that “for the next week, you’re going to be a little confused.” She also encourages them to hang in there because the book “is going to grow on you!”

Now in her 25^th year at Lakota, Lange has developed some traditions when it comes to her lesson plans. For example, after reading the well-known opening paragraph of the Dickens’ classic, she asked her class, “Did you catch the antithesis?” Students immediately began listing many of the opposites the author used, such as best and worst or wisdom and foolishness. Lange then explained that one of her traditions includes dressing to match the theme of what they will be discussing. 

So what does Lange wear for a discussion about antithesis? Black and white, of course.

She also brought in “antithesis cupcakes” for her students (vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting and chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting). These are just a few examples of Lange's approach to engaging her students in learning. 

Personalized Learning

“I really want students to understand that literature is a way to learn that human nature doesn’t change,” said Lange. She explained that teens can more easily relate to characters in contemporary young adult fiction - they have cell phones and go to a similar high school, for example. However, Lange wants her students to understand that they also have things in common with characters from long ago. “If I can help students see that they (also) have a lot in common with characters in ‘The Odyssey,’ ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ or ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ then they can understand empathy.”

Lange believes that how she approaches a lesson will have an impact on how well her students learn. “I have to be enthused and if I can be enthused, they can be enthused,” she noted. “I have taught A Tale of Two Cities every year and my teaching style has evolved. It adjusts to me helping (my students) become excited - or at least appreciate the work.”

Incorporating Themes into Learning

The idea of coordinating her outfit to lesson plans happened by accident about 12 years ago. A student assumed that an outfit Lange wore was connected to what they were discussing in class that day. The rest is history. “She makes it very exciting,” said Eva Borovskis, a student in Lange’s class. “If there is a theme, she will dress in a way that makes us remember.” Borovskis recalled Lange wearing numerous rings like Madame Defarge when they discussed the “A Tale of Two Cities” character recently.

Lange also incorporates music into her teaching to help students for the same reason. This may mean playing classical music while reading “The Odyssey” - or AC/DC when the characters make their trip to the underworld - or Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “Taking Care of Business” when introducing the character of Jarvis Lorry in “A Tale of Two Cities.”

Making Literature Come Alive

“(Mrs. Lange) has taught us how literature is connected to modern-day society,” said Garrett Brace, one of Lange’s students. He appreciates how Lange often uses examples to show how modern writing connects to those from the past.

Regardless of the era from which they’re reading, Lange wants her students to find the characters relatable. This is often evident in students’ reading response journals. Lange cited wealth as something that is frequently mentioned. “Romeo and Juliet aren’t from poor families,” she explained. So how does that relate to students in her classroom? “Just look at the fame of the Kardashians.”

Hard Work Pays Off

While Lange’s class has a reputation of being challenging, both Borovskis and Brace appreciate it and her teaching style. “She has an outgoing, positive, upbeat personality,” said Brace. 

“Beth Lange holds students to an incredibly high standard for rigor, which benefits them greatly in school,” said Scott Laman, associate principal at the school. “When students reflect on her teaching, they understand the magnitude of what she has taught them. I have never seen someone dedicate more time or commitment to ensure all students learn in her English class.”

“By the end of the year, I’m going to be a much better writer,” said Borovskis, who is well aware of how she can apply what she is learning with Lange to her other classes. “My parents have even commented on how my writing has improved.”

Lange’s passion for teaching is apparent to anyone in her class. It’s also evident that she has fun with it. “I would have loved being in musical theater,” she said. “This is my way of performing to my audience.” And her students appreciate it.