Welcome and rules for class

August 2010 - Welcome to Bayshore High School English/Reading! Our Journey Begins! My THREE WISHES!

Ms. Lynch

Teacher, Bayshore High School and State College of Florida

AP English, Dual Enrollment 1101/1102, English 12 Honors, and Intensive Reading

Room 482, Block 4.

To all parents and students:

I’m glad to have a chance to work with you! You’re all busy, and so am I, but I’d like to share my 3 WISHES for better and more effective student achievement:

# 1. I WISH PARENTS AND STUDENTS WOULD CALL ME or EMAIL me WHEN THEY’RE CONFUSED OR WORRIED ABOUT CLASS WORK.

941-448-5577 (my cell) (also, I accept texting)

lynche@manateeschools.net

I’m available, and I really care about my students, their concerns., and their parents’ concerns. Honestly, I have more time available than some….my kids are grown up.

I expect to have our class webpage easily accessible and updated regularly. Your son or daughter should write that URL address here:

Check it out to see what we’re doing, if you like.

# 2 . I Wish students used their limited time in class well. USE YOUR TIME, PLEASE!

Yes, your lives are busy. If class time is used well, there’s not too much you must worry about outside class except reading and taking a few notes.

If you THINK YOU’RE FINISHED WITH WHAT THE TEACHER WANTS YOU TO DO, no matter what class you’re in…here’s a list of things you can do to jump ahead:

A) Read a book I expect ALL students to have a book going independently, and jot down a few notes about it.. Keep trying to find a book you like and finish it.

B) Journal writing – reactions to stories, poems, books read, even “I am worried about…….” writings can help to focus study and direct positive thinking.

C) Vocabulary practice and notes (nothing helps scores at any level more than vocabulary development.)

D) Use online resources like the USA Test Prep (purchased by our school), Writing for the American Writing Archives, AP TEST Prep, our class BLOG spot for responding to stories and poems and drama, and those I give in class.

E) Grammar brush-ups and quizzes http://grammar.ccc.comnet.edu/gramar/quiz - practice!

F) Review of Indiana University’s tutorial on plagiarism to help make ideas your own and cite authorities so your writing has more power.

https://www.indiana.edu/~istd/

G) Check back to see what you’ve missed. For each class, by the door, I put a folder called, “WHAT I MiSSED!” Each day, at the end of the day, I put the work into that folder for your class. Also, on the board, I try to maintain class assignments.

#3. My Third Wish: THE 3 R’s..(used to be “reading, riting, ‘rithmetic”)

RESPECT, RESOURCES, RE-CREATION. My 3 “Rs”

What do I mean by that? I will treat you with respect. I will give you resources. I will help you to “re-create” (hopefully, some fun..!)

I expect that you will treat your classmates and me with respect. Help each other find resources. Make sure that “RECREATION” doesn’t harm others’ chances to learn. Use your time to grow and learn! Thanks. The 3 Rs.

So these are my 3 wishes. You think I sound like a kid? Hey, basics. The smartest people in the world know how to use these tricks. Are they possible? It just takes a mindful choice, that’s all. Every day.

Again, welcome! And thanks for reading this.

Addendum: The classroom “store”! Ok, let’s get this clear. Purpose of classroom store is

1) To keep students in class and comfortable midway through long blocks of time.

2) To encourage a warm atmosphere, but NOT a distraction. If distractions erupt, the store is closed. (No messes, no arguments, no wandering…)

3) To encourage focus: if it doesn’t work, we close the store (need a pencil/pen, snack, etc?)

4) If there is any profit, it goes to a scholarship fund for those planning learning trips.

5) DO NOT come to class for store products outside of your OWN class time.