Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- What is your email address?
- How can I have extra help in English?
- When is your study hall, and can I have extra help then?
- Is there any way to make extra credit in English class?
- Why was my grade higher in first marking period than the second?
- I am going to be absent. What should I do?
- Why should I study my flash cards every day?
- What is the NewsFlash?
- How are grades computed?
- How does the Grades page work? What is my codename?
- How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll pop?
- What's your favorite color?
- What is the schedule of your classes?
What is your email address?
If you write to rjackob@acsdny.org you will reach me.
How can I have extra help in English?
That's an easy one. All you have to do is ask. Mr. Jackob
is available to help you personally with any English concerns at
the beginning of 5th period, your recess period. This year my
lunchtime is FIFTH period like yours. I don't mind working with
you for a few minutes at the beginning of lunch. If we need to
work on something more, I'll give you a pass that will put you at the the
front of the lunch line and allow you back to the
classroom after you have eaten. All you have to do is come to
the classroom with the material you would like to discuss. It's
that simple.
Additionally, if you have a study hall at the same time as I have
English, you are welcome to come to class a second time.
You can use that extra time to catch-up or get ahead in your
writing folder or participate in the lesson again. This year
English meets periods 1,2,4,7,& 9. See you then!
When is your study hall, and can I have extra help then?
This year, I have ELA lab during period five. I do not have a study hall.
If you would like to have some extra help during that time, you may bring the
work you want to do, and I will be happy to help you. If you would like to
have some extra help or some extra writing time, you are welcome to it.
Fill-in a pass for me to sign or ask for one from your teacher, show it to
your fifth period teacher, and you're golden. If you are looking for extra
help on something, don't forget to bring the material you would like to discuss.
If you have study hall and would like to sit-in on another English
session, or would like some extra writing time, here's what to do. Fill-in a
pass for me to sign, show it to your study hall hall teacher, and join English
for a second go-round. Sometimes having class a second time helps make things
clearer.
Is there any way to make extra credit in English class?
All extra credit options are explained on the Extra Credit page
of this site. Just click Extra Credit from the list at the left.
Why was my grade higher in first marking period than the second?
Historically speaking, it is the trend for class grades to
be very high in the first marking period and to drop in the
second, to rise again in the third, and to be about the average
of the first three marking period grades in the fourth marking
period. I expect an average student's grades to follow this
pattern, but excessive changes in grades should not taken
lightly.
A student's regular study and preparation for class is his
own responsibility. If you are not taking care of your daily
homework, you should start to do so. Obviously, if you have not
put much into your classwork/homework/study time..., you won't
get much out of it. Do your homework every day, and you will do
better in class. Study and learn your notes, flashcards, DoNow
practice tests, and real tests, and you will be awesome. Don't,
and you won't. It's really that simple. Can you honestly say
that you are trying your level best every day? Your grades are
up to you.
I am going to be absent. What should I do?
Just because a person is absent from class doesn't mean that
he can not still take care of business. If you will be absent
for only one day, a call to one of your homework buddies would
probably be enough to keep you caught-up.
In the event that you will be out for a long time, however,
it is best that you make an effort to contact the school and all
your instructors so that you do not fall far behind.
You can arrange to have your parents pick-up and drop-off
work for you at the guidance office by telephoning (845)486-
4480. The guidance office staff are friendly and willing to
help. It is best to do this as early in your absence as possible
so that you can be _ready_ to return to classes after your
absence.
In the event of really long absences, or if you need to send
me e-mail, my address is in the answer to one of the questions
found at the top of this page. I usually check it about once a
week unless I'm expecting something, so be sure to call the
school anyway to make your pick-up / drop-off arrangements.
This frequently asked question is answered in Page One of Notes
in this way:
The absent student is still responsible for all assignments. All
work due during an absence is due on the day of a student's
return to class. Late-work rules apply from the return date of
the absentee. Students absent for periods of three or more days
should call the school at 486-4480 to make arrangements to have
parents pick-up and drop-off work.
Students taking music lessons are responsible to inform the
instructor of the lesson at least one day prior to the lesson
date. The student is responsible to present any work to the
instructor on the assigned due-dates unless other arrangements
have been made in advance with the instructor. Music lessons
are not to be used as an excuse for late work.
Contact homework buddies in case of absence.
Why should I study my flash cards every day?
Knowing the basic English facts from your flash cards is
essential to your success as a speaker and writer of the English
language. You can think of knowing your English facts in much
the same way as you might think about knowing your math facts.
Just as eight times seven will always be fifty-six, so too will a
noun always be the name of a person, place, thing, or idea.
Having these English facts internalized and being able to
automatically recall them from memory will make your life easier
and happier. These English facts are to the whole of English as
the basic math facts are to the rest of math. Understanding more
advanced English or math will be much more difficult if you do
not have a strong knowledge and understanding of the basic facts
of that discipline.
That being said, please understand that you will continue
working with the Eight Parts of Speech and their Functions
through the rest of your career as a speaker and writer of
English. Think about it. That will probably be for the rest of
your life, right? If you make the decision to learn the
basic English facts NOW, you will be in a better position FOR THE
REST OF YOUR LIFE!
To stick with the math analogy for a bit... Imagine how hard
life would be if you had to THINK about the product of three
times five instead of KNOWING it automatically. It's the same
thing with knowing whether the word "him" is an object or a
subject. If you have to stand there and figure it out, you are
at a disadvantage- a big one.
Knowing these facts will serve you throughout middle school,
high school, college, and into the workplace.
Do yourself a favor. Put in the time to know your English
facts. It will help YOU! Like it or not, people judge others on
how well they speak and write. That includes everyone: teachers,
parents, fellow students, friends, teammates, opponents, college
admission officers, fellow workers, and employers.
Do all you can to be seen as a competent and powerful user
of your language. Be awesome, but remember that you can't be
awesome at anything until you know the basics of it. English is
no different in that respect.
Be sure you know ALL the parts and their definitions. Review
your grammar notes! Practice with your flashcards regularly. BE
READY FOR A TEST IN CLASS AT ANY TIME!
Be awesome at English, and you'll be better prepared for
life!
******************************************************************
Practice at home and study your flashcards daily until you know
them cold.
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What is the NewsFlash?
I would like to create a line of communication between your
family and our classroom.
If your family would like an email when I update the GRADES
page of this site, please sign up on the Newsflash page. If you
are the parent of a student, please include your child's name and
your relationship in parentheses after your own.
Sample: Bill Jones (Mary Jones's father)
Thanks.
How are grades computed?
To see a chart that shows how to compute your grade, click
on the DL & P link on this page. Then click on the GRADE SAMPLE
link.
That will show you a chart that explains everything. It is
easier to start at the bottom and read upwards.
A copy of this same chart is in the TEST section of your
binder. That is the same page where we record all our marks for
our class.
How does the Grades page work? What is my codename?
The Grades page contains information that you already have. You
can use it to help yourself compute your class average and check
test scores, and so on. Students create their own codenames to
access the Grades page. These codenames are to remain private
and are not to be shared among students. A student's codename is
not an Arlington student ID or a class number.
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll pop?
I'm not really sure, but the wise old owl said, "Three."
What's your favorite color?
My favorite color is green. What's yours?
What is the schedule of your classes?
target="_blank">Click here to see the class schedule.
