Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- How do I makeup work in this class?
- How do I stay on top of the classwork?
- How does a student go about improving writing skills?
- How do we pay attention or refocus when we start losing concentration?
- Why are writing conferences so helpful?
- Why read?
- How do students stay motivated?
How do I makeup work in this class?
You receive as many days as you have been absent, plus one day.
I have a makeup folder in my blue bin outside of my office (Room
230A, located in the back of the English office). If I know you
are coming to makeup work, I will have the quiz or test with your
name on it in this folder. You can come during your advisory or
before/after school. If I am not present in my
office, take the test at a desk and return it to the folder in
the blue bin.
Communicate with me about when you intend to make up the
necessary work.
How do I stay on top of the classwork?
You need to manage time well. Periodically, you will have
multiple assignments simultaneously. Consider prioritizing your
assignments. Do get enough sleep and eat well. Good learning
(thus, the rewards) requires sacrifice and commitment. Do you
have "GANAS"? Espanol. mis estudiantes! GANAS = DESIRE!
Oh yes, do not fret or panic. Good preparation solves worries
and lessens fears. Keep an organized and neat planner. Ask
questions. Work hard for short periods of time. Know your
reading rate, so you can plan reading segments better.
How does a student go about improving writing skills?
One way is good, old-fashioned work and effort. A quality piece
of writing comes from a sustained effort that usually means much
revision and assistance from peers and teachers. Patience is a
requirement; so is listening in class to the many methods and
strategies that will be taught. Applying these will
improve a writer's confidence. Like anything, something
worthwhile requires practice and application of learned
strategies.
Conferencing with me can also extremely beneficial and a sign
that you WANT TO IMPROVE. Using our new Writing Center is
another way to gain further insights about your writing.
Do not be afraid...try to avoid letdowns from a less-than-average
grade. Work at revising; you will have lots of chances to
improve the first attempt.
Brad Faxon is one of the best putters in professional golf. When
he was asked why he was so good, he responded, "I am not afraid
to miss."
How do we pay attention or refocus when we start losing concentration?
This is certainly NOT a frequently asked question, but it is one
worth the time and reading. Refocusing takes self-discipline and
motivation. How one enters a class says quite a bit about that
student's (and teacher's) readiness. Be positive and
enthusiastic...even if you do not feel like it.
Second, in the middle of teacher-talk or something of that
nature, think about your goal(s) for that class; sometimes that
supplies focus. Physically, do some neck rotations and sit up in
your seat. Waking up the neck helps. Cross country runners do
this often and it relaxes the entire body. Mentally, do
a "bracketing" technique. When a thought enters your
mind that is not useful for the issue at hand (for example, you
start thinking about an after-school activity when you should be
taking notes), you need to "bracket" that thought. This means
that you put that extra thought aside and refocus on the
immediate task. This is a conscious action
on your part and it empowers you to take control of your ability
to pay attention.
Try it; it does work.
Why are writing conferences so helpful?
Every student has strengths and limitations in the writing
process. Every student has certain views on their individual
writing prowess. What the teacher might suggest or drill for the
entire class will usually have a variance of influence on each
student. Therefore, it is extremely important for students to
individually conference about their drafts with the teacher
whenever possible. These conferences serve to calm students'
anxieties and sharpen their focus, thus gradually increasing
confidence in a number of areas...the writing itself, ability to
carry a conversation with an adult, listening skills, etc.
Teacher and student can hone in on areas that need
strengthening. The process of talking about these areas usually
spurs students' direction and empowerment in the area of
writing. I firmly believe that if students do not conference
with their English teacher a minimum of two times in each
semester, they are severely limiting their potential as writers.
Students, take the initiative! Come in for help. My schedule is
more flexible and I look forward to working with you.
Why read?
To know oneself better.
To increase vocabulary
To spend time wisely
To read models of good writing
To understand culture
To help make wise decisions
To laugh, cry, smile, wonder, inspire, motivate, question,
analyze, personalize, etc.
To understand where we have been. "We are what we were." John
Quincy Adams
To learn empathy.
How do students stay motivated?
It lies in your heart.
Once students have the desire, there is no stopping them.
To any teacher there is nothing like a curious student.
Set challenging goals in the short-term (weekly, bi-weekly).