Hello Students,

 I am very excited that we will be spending the year together! This letter will help us to become better acquainted and will inform you about the materials you will need for class and my grading policies. Your first assignment in English Language Arts is to bring this letter home. Read it with your parents and bring the signed letter back to me by Friday, September 5, 2008. 

Suggested Materials

Please bring the following to class as soon as possible:

•       Dark blue or black pens (no other colors will be accepted) and pencils.

•       A notebook, preferably one with folders included within it. If a folder does not accompany your         notebook please get a folder to hold your returned assignments.

It is important that you bring your writing utensils and notebook to class every day. You are also expected to bring your Agenda Book (given to you on the first day of school) to class to write down your daily assignments.

Writing Assignments

Good writing skills are essential to succeed in all classes, not just ELA. New York state exams are also graded heavily on writing. Therefore, we will be doing a lot of writing and re-writing in ELA this year.

When I give a writing assignment, I expect each  you to do our best to hand it in on time. After I grade it however, you may revise it.  If you choose to do this, you need to turn in the previous draft and grading sheet along with the new draft. I will re-grade the assignment and replace the existing grade, providing it is higher. You may do this revision process as many times as necessary to get the best grade that you can get. My only requirement is that you turn in the previous draft(s) and grading sheet(s) with each revision. This helps to reduce my grading time. Since many writing assignments are major grades, students who revise their writing assignments will have no trouble succeeding in class.

Each day an assignment is late ten points will be deducted from the final grade of that assignment. This is of course, unless extenuating circumstances arise and your parent informs me of the situation ahead of time, not the day that that something major is due, in writing. Your family traveling out of town to see your older sister because she just had a baby is an acceptable excuse, not your print6er mysteriously being out of ink the night before a major project is due, as I do accept assignments done in neat handwriting in blue or black ink. If there happens to be a valid excuse then extensions will be granted.

I strongly recommend that you use word processor for your writing assignments.  Revisions are much easier if the piece is already saved on a computer. If this is not possible I will accept writing assignments, neatly written, in blue or black ink.

Homework Policy

I ask that you complete four book projects on your own, during the school year. Therefore, you should be reading independently several days a week. Since every one of you has your own interests and reads at your own pace, I ask that you choose a book that you have not read, and is a challenge to you. In order to ensure that books are personally challenging, you need to chose your book according to the appropriate level that you have reached.

We will also be reading books together as a class and you will be assigned readings from these books. You will also need to study for quizzes and tests. We will also be doing a poetry project. Students should have all assignments noted in your Agenda Books and plan your homework time accordingly.

This year I will continue a daily exercise titled "Words of Wisdom". You need to copy a provided quote from the board into your notebooks. You will then analyze the quote and write down what it means to you. these will eb collected every ten days and will count as a quiz grade. I am not looking for perfection, mainly thoughtful reflection and response.

Extra Help/ Make-Ups

All students can get extra help, or answers to their questions by scheduling time with me.

If you are absent please have your parent(s) call the Middle School office and request your homework assignments. You also have to get your missing notes or assignments from a trusted class member. You also need to see me the day that you get back to school to schedule make-up tests or quizzes. It is your responsibility as a student to get assignments, schedule make-ups and show up for the make-up.

*PARENTS*

Thank you for taking the time to read this over with your child. Now you know what is expected of your child in my classroom.

Keeping in Touch

I invite you to contact me at school at 298-8681 or via email at shanfield@nccscougar.org at any time with any questions or concerns that you may have. I hope to see you at the parent teacher conferences scheduled in November.

                                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                                        Sarah K. Hanfield

                                                                                        ELA teacher

 Please cut this on the line and keep the rest for future reference. THANK YOU!

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Student Name: ______________________________________________________

Student Signature: ___________________________________________________