Common Questions
What should I keep in my journal and when should I bring it?
Your journal is a place for your reading logs, writing ideas, and journal entries. Reading logs and journal entries should be kept one after the other in the same manner you would keep a diary (they may be intermingled). Label each entry as such: Reading Logs - Title, Author, Date, Chapters (or pages) included in entry Journal Entries - Journal Entry #, Topical Title, Date Your writing ideas (or any other creative entry such as poems or sketches) should be entered in the back of the journal for easy access. Typically, I will keep your journal in my classroom in an area designated specifically for your class. You may "borrow" it from me, but be sure to return it promptly because if it is not in class when I give an assignment you will be required to do the work on loose-leaf paper during class and RE-WRITE it (not staple, paste, or tape it) in your journal later.Back to Top
What kind of notebook do you require?
The "English" section of your Freshman binder will serve as your class notebook. Bring it EVERY DAY. I will give you many handouts throughout the course of the year. I expect you to be able to keep up with them so I will charge you a quarter to provide replacements (proceeds to be donated to charity at the end of the school year). The Freshman binder provides you with a safe place to keep all class-related materials and, since any work that is to be turned in must be on either loose-leaf paper or copmuter- processed, the binder can serve as your 'one-stop shop' for my class. (Assignments turned in on spiral-bound notebook paper will be penalized or not accepted.)Back to Top
Why do I need a portfolio and where should I keep it?
** Not all teachers require use of a portfolio. Check with your instructor at the beginning of the school year. A portfolio will contain all essays and writing materials (and a red and a green pen). I expect you to turn in outlines, drafts, and final copies of all papers; your portfolio provides a safe place to keep it all together. It must be maintained (i.e., complete) at all times as you never know when I will check its contents; any missing work at the time of the portfolio check will not be graded! I will provide an area in my classroom where your class will place its portfolios - that way, they will always be handy and you won't have to worry about having left it in your locker or at home when the time comes to check it. Your portfolio will follow you all four years at AHS. You only need to purchase one.Back to Top
What do you mean by outside reading?
Outside reading is my attempt to revive the 'lost art' of reading for pleasure. There will often be times at the end of a class period when you have 10-15 minutes of 'free READING time.' This is not a study hall so I will not allow you to do homework for another class. However, you may begin working on any homework I have assigned or you may read a book for pleasure. Since I will also reserve several days each quarter for the sole purpose of reading, you MUST bring a book with you EVERY DAY so that you are prepared in any event (some reading days will be unannounced). If we have an outside reading day and you are doing something other than reading (drawing, doing homework, talking, doing absolutely nothing) I will require you to come to my class after school for 30 minutes of uninterrupted reading. If you are unable to come in at my convenience, the 30-minute reading detention will turn into an hour-long administrative detention.Back to Top
What happens if I don't have a book to read?
My classroom is fairly well stocked with books ranging from young adult novels to historical fiction to sci-fi/fantasy. I also have several philosophy books, poetry anthologies, biographies, drama collections, etc., so you should be able to find something that interests you. If you do not have a book with you on an outside reading day you may check one of these books out of my library for as long as you wish (within reason). However, you will be required to spend 30 minutes in my class after school reading the book that you checked out. If you habitually come to class unprepared, be ready to face the consequences (ranging from grade penalties to administrative detentions)!!Back to Top
What are CLASSROOM DETENTIONS versus ADMINISTRATIVE DETENTIONS?
I will assign classroom detentions at my discretion for a variety of minor infractions. If you come to class late or unprepared, for example, I may require that you come to my room after school for anywhere between 10-30 minutes or I may ask that you perform a menial task (wash my board, catalog my books, pick up trash, etc.). Classroom detentions will vary in length/requirements depending on the nature of infractions. Failure to report for classroom detention will result in administrative detention. Administrative detentions are reserved for more serious or chronic problems such as disciplinary or dress code issues, or repeat offenses. Administrative detentions require one hour of 'time-out' after school during which the student is to perform a mundane, menial, monotonous task (like copying the student handbook). No reading, studying, talking, sleeping, or thinking allowed. (Sounds like fun, huh?)Back to Top
What is the best way to contact you should I or my parents have questions?
The best way is by email ( ajlloyd@aquinashigh.org ). Since I am a classroom teacher, that is where I spend the majority of my time. I do not have easy access to a phone so (regretably) I do not get to check my voice mail messages as often as I would like. Email, on the other hand, is readily accessible and I check it several times each day. Please bear in mind, however, that this is a school-based account which means that if you have urgent questions after school hours or on weekends, I may not receive your message until I return the next school day.Back to Top
What if I need help or have questions about assignments missed when absent?
I am always happy to help anyone who needs it. I am available almost every morning before school (by around 7:15) and almost every afternoon after school (until at least 3:00 if I don't know you're coming, or as late as reasonably possible if I do know you're coming). Please make additional arrangements if this does not fit your schedule, but keep in mind that I will not wait for you to get out of detention, nor will I wait until after practice, etc. I will NEVER tell you what you missed at the beginning or end of a class period. You must see me before school or after school for materials missed during absences. (This web page is also an excellent resource, by the way!)Back to Top
Reading logs are simply Composition Notebooks (100 sheets, 9 x 7 ) in which students will record the titles and authors of their books and keep dated entries exploring their emotions/impressions as they read. These are neither "book reports" nor plot summaries. Rather, they are reflections on the readings. Consider some prompts: 1) how do you feel about the plot/subject/characters/etc. 2) what are your feelings toward the author 3) do events in the reading remind you of events in today's world 4) do characters remind you of yourself, your friends, your family 5) what would you like to communicate to the characters 6) you may include *some* plot summary to help you remember the reading, but that should by no means be a significant part of your overall reading log Label entries as follows: First Entry - Book Title, Author (full name) Each Subsequent Entry - Date, Chapters (or pages), Entry Number (restart for each book) Rather than require a specific number of entries, we ask instead that students keep records of several reading sessions. The idea is to get students to read thoughtfully, not to give them busy work. During the first week of school, students may be expected to take a short quiz on one or more of the books they read during the summer. Therefore, it is a good idea to be diligent when writing entries - they can serve as a "refresher" course before taking the quizzes.Back to Top
Reading logs are not plot summaries?
No. And yes. A good reading log will include mention, consideration, and/or discussion of significant literary devices. Be mindful of such things as setting, theme, mood, plot, or anything else that affects the story and impacts your reading of it. It can be helpful to use the author's own words or quotes from characters themselves, but be sure to credit whomever said it. Simple plot summaries can be added for your benefit in cases where you may be expected to write a paper later in the year (such as FOOLS CROW), but they are not to be substituted for reading log entries.Back to Top