Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- Why do you give homework?
- How often do we go to the library?
- What is AR?
- Do AR points go back to zero at the beginning of each quarter?
- Do you get extra credit for having more AR points than is needed?
- Is there any other extra credit given other than through AR points?
- Do I have to answer questions with complete sentences?
- What does LTA , H, WN , QW, IYOW, BT, and CP mean?
- Do I have to write in cursive?
- Are you just a fan of UCLA or did you go there?
- How old is the teacher?
Why do you give homework?
1. Homework usually consists of reading 20 minutes a day. We do
AR and it is impossible for us to sit and read that much in
class without writing skills suffering.
2. Spelling Definitions are given to the students one week in
advance.
3. Long Term Assignment/Projects- Always are just that...Long
Term.
Students have several weeks to complete these assignments and
learn to manage their time.
How often do we go to the library?
We go as a class to the library every other Wednesday. Students
may ask to go to the library to take AR tests during class if
they are finished with their work. The library is also open from
3-3:30 every day.
What is AR?
AR is the abbreviation for Accelerated Reader. It is a software
program that we have in our computer lab. Books are given a
certain point score and students read the books and then take
the tests to gain those points.
Do AR points go back to zero at the beginning of each quarter?
This is a two part answer...No. Points are cumulative. They are
added to over the semester. For example, if you have 25 points
from the first quarter and the second quarter you need 50 points
total, you need 25 more points.
Yes...at the end of the first semester, points go back to zero.
However,
anything the student earned over the required points will be
added at the end
of the year in order to boost grades up to one grade.
Do you get extra credit for having more AR points than is needed?
The extra points are added to the whole ELA grade only at the
end of the Fourth Quarter. A student may raise their grade one
letter only at that time with these "extra" points. Students are
encouraged to earn extra points all year and not wait until the
end.
Is there any other extra credit given other than through AR points?
Yes. Pay close attention in class and watch for flyers attached
to the white board. Sometimes points are given for meeting
authors at a local bookstore or entering contests. These points
are given to the student at the end of the quarter that they are
earned. Students will only be able to collect their extra
credit if they have turned in all of the regular assignments.
Do I have to answer questions with complete sentences?
Any questions asked on handouts need to be answered using
complete sentences in order to be given full credit. Remember
that sentences begin with capital letters and end with some kind
of punctuation such as a period, question mark, or exclamation
mark.
What does LTA , H, WN , QW, IYOW, BT, and CP mean?
LTA- Long Term Assignment- Will not be accepted late.
H- Handout was passed out in class.
WN- Writer's Notebook
QW- Quick Write- Prompt for a two paragraph response in WN.
IYOW- In Your Own Words- Students are given a quote to put in
their own words. Then students are then asked to write what it
means to them in WN.
BT- Brain Teaser- a puzzle copied from the board into the WN.
Guesses to answer are to be written under each puzzle.
CP- Commonplace Book
Do I have to write in cursive?
Recent research has proven that students taking tests such as
the SAT are failing. They are unable to finish the tests
because students are printing. I am encouraging students to
write in cursive on everything so that it becomes second nature
to them. However, if they prefer to print, that is fine as long
as it is legible. Please use ink unless otherwise instructed.
Essays and other formal papers will require typing.
Are you just a fan of UCLA or did you go there?
I have always been a fan, but yes, I did go there and graduated
with my BA in English. I will always be true to my school. Go
Bruins!
How old is the teacher?
Forever 21. Enough said! :-)