- Can a student get credit for a WN or RL entry if it hasn't been stamped?
- Can a student do more than one entry in a night to "get ahead" or "catch up"?
- What are students supposed to write in the writer's notebook?
- What are students supposed to read each night?
- Is grammar taught in language arts class?
- What curriculum does this class follow?
- What components make up a student's grade in this class?
- Can a student come for extra help when needed for this class?
- What is the best way for a parent to contact Mrs. Powers?
- Is the writing in the Writer's Notebook graded?
- Does the writing have to be done in the writer's notebook?
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Can a student get credit for a WN or RL entry if it hasn't been stamped?
No credit is given for an entry if it hasn't been stamped on the appropriate
date. Students have time to check the stamps as they are given each day and
are able to correct any "stamping mistakes" that day only. The only
exception is when a child is absent. Stamps missing on the days the student
was absent are not counted against the student. Assignments that would have
been submitted on those days will be checked and recorded when the student
returns.
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Can a student do more than one entry in a night to "get ahead" or "catch up"?
Credit for only one entry will be given per night. The purpose behind the
daily reading and writing is to make them both regular habits. Allowing
students to "get ahead" or "catch up" on entries takes away from this goal.
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What are students supposed to write in the writer's notebook?
Much of the time, the topic for entries in the writer's notebook is left
open to each individual student's choice. Many choose journal-like entries
or experimentation with various genre (i.e. stories, poetry, letters,
etc.). For those who find themselves "stuck" on occasion for what to write
about, a list of writing prompts appears in the HOMEWORK section of my
website. Occasionally all students will be assigned a topic or structure to
work on in the WN (i.e. a character sketch, comparison/contrast essay,
reflection on something we have done in class, etc.).
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What are students supposed to read each night?
As with the WN, the daily reading assignment revolves around
independently chosen material. In order to reinforce many of the skills we
work on in class, the students are asked to make a significant portion of
their reading be in novels of some sort. However, for some of their reading,
poetry, nonfiction, and other genre are excellent choices as well. For
students who find themselves "stuck" on a book choice, a bulletin board in
the classroom entitled "Jigsaw Genre" is a good source of titles which have
been recommended by other students in the class.
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Is grammar taught in language arts class?
Grammar is included in the MA Language Arts Curriculum Frameworks and is
taught in 6th and 7th grade. Mondays usually include an entire lesson
devoted to a particular grammar concept or skill, and short "mini-
lessons" and individually-paced practice through "Grammar Made Easy" (a
computer program) reinforce concepts on a regular basis.
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What curriculum does this class follow?
The goals and objectives for this class are guided by the WRSD and MA
Language Arts Curriculum Frameworks and the Prentice Hall Literature
textbooks for Grades 6 or 7. Instruction and activities draw from a
variety of materials: textbooks, on-line resources, anthologies, and
recommended and award-winning children's/young adult literature.
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What components make up a student's grade in this class?
A student's grade is determined by his/her success in three major areas:
homework, in-class participation, and assessments. Although assessments
(quizzes, tests, projects, essays, etc.) give an indication of how well
concepts and skills have been learned, completing homework regularly and
showing full effort and participation in class are key steps to achieving
that learning. Daily homework completion and class participation grades
will be converted to percentage grades, and each of the three areas graded
(assessments, homework completion, and participation) will account for one
third of a student's average.
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Can a student come for extra help when needed for this class?
Absolutely! Advisory periods are good times for questions or help, or a
student may schedule an after school session when more concentrated one-on-
one help may be needed. I am after school most days until at least 3:45,
and until later than that many other days. With advanced notice, almost any
day can be worked out.
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What is the best way for a parent to contact Mrs. Powers?
Email is a great way to make initial contact with me, or to ask questions
that require a quick and straight-forward answer. If more of an explanation
or discussion might be necessary, you can send an e-mail with your contact
information (and an indication of what your question or concern is, if
possible), and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.
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Is the writing in the Writer's Notebook graded?
Although the main goal of the writer's notebook is to get the students
comfortable and fluent with just getting their ideas down on paper and
experimenting with different forms of writing, it is also important that
students see the connection between how effectively they use conventions
(punctuation, spelling, grammar usage, etc.) and how clearly their ideas
come across. Therefore, this year students will be graded regularly on the
use of conventions in some of the writing in their writer's notebook. A
rubric that they glue in the front of the writer's notebook will guide them
in knowing what is expected and how it will be graded. These grades will be
included in the "assessments" portion of their overall quarter grade.
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Does the writing have to be done in the writer's notebook?
All daily writing assignments should be done consecutively in the writer's
notebook. Part of the power of the writer's notebook lies in the student
being able to see the collection of writing build and being able to look
back through earlier entries as the year progresses. Writing on and turning
in individual sheets of paper is not as reliable for developing the
same "permanent" collection of their thoughts. If, on occasion, a student
for some reason does not have his or her WN at home, the daily entry can be
done on a separate sheet of paper and GLUED INTO THE WN before the beginning
of class the next day. This should not, however, become a regular habit.
