FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
  1. What should I do if I have been absent?
  2. How do I know when my assignments are due?
  3. How do I know what my homework is?
  4. How do I get an 'A' in my classes?
  5. As a parent, how can I help my child to be successful in this course?
  6. What can I do to be successful in my course?
  7. What can I do to prepare for the Oral Commentary?
  8. How do I get ready for Exam Paper One?
  9. How do I get ready for Exam Paper Two?
  10. What is CAS?
  11. Why is completing CAS hours so important?



What should I do if I have been absent?

Visit this website to see what you've missed for that lesson. Refer to your 
detailed nine weeks' syllabus, complete any assignments you missed in a 
timely fashion, or e-mail me from the home page.
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How do I know when my assignments are due?

Check the calendar link on this website.
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How do I know what my homework is?

Check the homework link for your particular subject.
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How do I get an 'A' in my classes?

Do all of your homework so you can ask questions and earn the 'easy 
points'.  Listen and work well in class.  Set aside 30 minutes per night to 
go over key concepts of the lesson.  Study for several hours before every 
quiz or test.  Most importantly, never give up.
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As a parent, how can I help my child to be successful in this course?

Keep abreast of both daily and long-term assignments, and help your child to 
manage his/her time wisely.  Contact me any time you feel it would benefit 
your child, and know that there is ALWAYS, ALWAYS something your child could 
be working on for this course.  Your support is greatly appreciated.
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What can I do to be successful in my course?

Always be proactive.  Stay on top of your missed work and keep up with your 
classwork.  Get a copy of any missed work from a friend in the class.
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What can I do to prepare for the Oral Commentary?

Compose a comparison chart of all the texts studied that looks at themes, 
motifs, symbols, syntax, diction, imagery, etc.  Practice speaking in front 
of a friend, parent, sibling, or even your pet.  Review sample excerpts and 
use color marking.
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How do I get ready for Exam Paper One?

Review the handouts in the 'Handout' page.  Reviewing the rubric for Paper 1 
would be helpful.  Acquire a list of vocabulary of  a suitable register that 
will assist your score.  Review your list of literary terms that you received 
at the beginning of the year.  Remember you will choose either prose or 
poetry (preferably prose) upon which to base your 7-10 page essay.  Within 
the essay you MUST support your points with evidence from the text.  Also, 
you MUST HAVE an introduction with a thesis statement, body and conclusion 
that does not just say the same thing - make it interesting.
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How do I get ready for Exam Paper Two?

Review the handouts in the 'Handout' page.  Reviewing the rubric for Paper 2 
would be helpful. Acquire a list of vocabulary of a suitable register that 
will assist your score.  Review your list of literary terms that you received 
at the beginning of the year.  Remember to select one question from the prose 
section or general literature questions (novel/short story)(no other 
section).  You will be writing one 7-10 page essay based on one question.  To 
address the question you should refer to two of the 5 prose texts you've 
studied this semester: "The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison," "Heart of 
Darkness" by Joseph Conrad, "As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner, "Wuthering 
Heights" by Emily Bronte, and "The Stranger" by Albert Camus.  Within the 
essay you MUST support your points with evidence from the text.  Also, you 
MUST HAVE an introduction that addresses the question, thesis statement, body 
and conclusion that does not just say the same thing - make it interesting.
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What is CAS?

Creativity Action Service (CAS) is a component of the IB Diploma program at 
South Fork High School.  Before the end of sophomore year you need to 
have accumulated 20 hours in each category.  By the end of your senior year, 
you will need to have accumulated 50 hours in each category to be awarded 
your IB Diploma. Please make sure you are aware of the new rules in regards 
to number of hours counted for CAS purposes - only 1/2 the number of hour in 
Creativity or Action (i.e. you would have to participate in at least two 
different types of activities.)
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Why is completing CAS hours so important?

Not only are all your hours relevant to recieving your IB Diploma, it is 
also important for your Resume when applying to Colleges.  Your CAS hours 
can also help you achieve a Bright Futures scholarship.
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