Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of
students and parents.
- Do you require students to type final drafts or other projects?
- Will my student get the opportunity to use a computer in English?
- Do you require a specific type of writing utensil?
- When you say write a paragraph, what do you mean?
- How should I go about cleaning out my binder?
- How do you create a brochure on Microsoft Word?
- What do you do when images in PowerPoint don't transfer from a MAC to a PC?
- How can I help my child be a better writer?
Do you require students to type final drafts or other projects?
NO! I will always accept (and encourage) typed assignments, whether it's
homework, final drafts, or projects. However, typing is never a requirement
unless I give time in class to type. I have had students in the past try to
use computer problems as an excuse for not having homework. This is not
acceptable, and one of the main reasons why I don't require typing for
anything unless told
well in advance.
Will my student get the opportunity to use a computer in English?
Absolutely! Because the computer labs are often taken up with classes, I'm a
big fan of the laptop lab, and try to work it into my curriculum at least once
a marking period. This means students could be on computers anywhere from one
to three days at a time, doing research, writing, and typing. I also have an
extra computer in my classroom specifically for student use.
Do you require a specific type of writing utensil?
No! Pens or pencils work for me. Just please, no pink pens! They are virtually
impossible to read.
When you say write a paragraph, what do you mean?
A complete paragraph in 8th grade English should be 6 to 10 sentences. In
elementary school, it may have been acceptable to write a three-sentence
paragraph, but your students are entering the high school next year. Remember,
6 sentences is the MINIMUM! A student can write more than 10 sentences, as
long as the paragraph stays on topic. Remember to start all paragraphs with a
topic sentence and end with a concluding sentence.
How should I go about cleaning out my binder?
At the end of each unit, Mr. Sorensen will indicate when it is safe to clean
out unnecessary materials from that unit. Any pink or orange papers maybe
discarded. Green and blue papers should be kept in the binder for reference.
Yellow papers belong in the writing folder, so students should bring any
leftover yellow papers to class to be put in their proper spot. Finally, brown
papers (class announcements, tests, etc.) should be kept unless
otherwise indicated. If students are afraid that they will throw something out
that is important, students should get a box (large shoe box or file folder
box) and place any papers that they are uncertain of in the box. The box
should be kept in a safe place in their bedroom in case they need to go back
to it throughout the year. At the end of the year, the student can throw it away.
How do you create a brochure on Microsoft Word?
There are several steps for creating a brochure in Microsoft Word.
1) Open a blank document.
2) Click on 'File' and go down to 'Page Set Up.'
3) Start by making each margin 0.3 inches. Type 0.3 in the boxes next to Top,
Bottom, Left, and Right.
4) Change the page 'Orientation' from Portrait to Landscape.
5) Click 'OK' to apply the changes.
6) Go back to the top, and click on 'Format' and go down to 'Columns.'
7) Change the number of columns from 1 to 3.
8) Click 'OK' to apply the changes.
Your document is now ready to create!
What do you do when images in PowerPoint don't transfer from a MAC to a PC?
Insert the image onto the slide the traditional way by going to
file>insert>image>find the image. Making a folder on the desktop is a good
place to store the images as you are collecting them from the Internet or
elsewhere.
This methods works on a PC.
The Problem: When the image is simply just dragged directly from the Internet
into .ppt slide on a MAC, there is a type of QuickTime compression happening
that is not supported on a PC.
Bottom line: You need to save the pictures to your computer first before
inserting them into your PowerPoint!
How can I help my child be a better writer?
There are several ways that parents can support their students academics,
specifically their writing. The National
Council of Teachers of English has put together a very helpful list that gives
you several suggestions on how to
support this avenue of academic expression. Please check out the link below.
How to
Help Your Child Write