How do I know what the homework is?
The homework is posted on the front board everyday. I usually ask students to write that information directly into their assignment books while I am taking attendance. The other places to find the homework are in the weekly letter and on the homework hotline (and now on this web site).
Where can I find extra worksheets if I was absent or lost mine?
Extra handouts are available in the blue selves at the back of the room. Please be careful to hold on to materials that are handed out in class - these extra copies do cost money for the school. Double check your folders, backpack and locker before you grab another worksheet.
Can I turn in late work?
Students should pay close attention to deadlines given in class. These deadlines are assigned because we all need help in learning to budget our time and energy. I try to give students an adequate amount of time to get homework done, but sometimes schedules are extra busy and students need the opportunity to turn in their work after the deadline. There are 2 ways to get credit for late work:
1.Arrange for a new deadline by talking to me BEFORE the day of the deadline. If you show that you are thinking and planning ahead, I am more than willing to extend your work time. (Remember that if an assignment has involved work time in class and you haven't used that time well, I am going to be reluctant to give you more time.)
2. Turn in the work after the deadline with a parent signature and a note explaining why the work is late. I am able to see that in some cases work will be late for any number of reasons -- I hope that having parents sign late work will help families identify habits that are affecting the student's education.
What do I do if I am absent?
If you are going to miss school for an appointment, illness, vacation, funeral, etc. please expect that you will miss something that is being taught. It is very difficult sometimes for students to make up the LEARNING that happens in the classroom. If a student is absent for important lectures or instructions, please expect to come in before or after school to get some one on one teaching.
But, that being said, remember to call the homework hotline. I update it daily and sometimes there is work that you can do at home without many questions. You should also check your letter and/or with another student from your group.
Once you return to school, please be sure to pick up any handouts or assignments from the blue shelving unit at the back of the room. If you need to get the notes from class, please copy them from a friend or ask to copy them from my writer's noteboook.
What is "circle time"?
Circle time is the time of the day were students move to the white board at the front of the room. Just like in elementary school, student still enjoy moving around a little and sitting close together near the teacher. Circle time is when students receive instructions, take notes, practice skills and have discussions. Students seem to really enjoy this time and the structure helps everyone focus on the task at hand.
What is a Portfolio?
Students will turn a 1 1/2 inch , 3 ring notebook (Clearvew or Viewbinder are two brands) into their portfolio throughout the year in English class. We start out the year creating personalized covers and several scrapbook pages to describe who we are. These pages aresd to help us get to know each other and provide inspiration for later writing projects. Throughout the year we will add pages to show off the work we have done in each unit. By the end of the year, the portfolio will become a collection of a student's best work and a tool for assessing the level to which they have met the Fiction Graduation Standard. Students can take their portfolios home when necessary. but generally they should be kept in the designated classroom file cabinets.
What is a Writer's Notebook?
Students will use an ordinary spiral notebook exclusively as a their Writer's Notebook (W.N.). This notebook will hold class notes, reading responses, story starts, rough drafts, Words to Own (vocabulary) and other class work. Click here to see the Writer's Notebook guide that was given to every student.