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Mrs. Powers



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 FAQ

 Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
  1. Can a student get credit for a WN or RL entry if it hasn't been stamped?
  2. Can a student do more than one entry in a night to "get ahead" or "catch up"?
  3. What are students supposed to write in the writer's notebook?
  4. What are students supposed to read each night?
  5. Is grammar taught in language arts class?
  6. What curriculum does this class follow?
  7. What components make up a student's grade in this class?
  8. Can a student come for extra help when needed for this class?
  9. What is the best way for a parent to contact Mrs. Powers?
  10. Is the writing in the Writer's Notebook graded?
  11. 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.
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Last Modified: Wednesday January 02 2008

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