Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- WHAT DID WE DO YESTERDAY????
- What do I do if I miss a day of class?
- What do the acronyms (and all that other junk) on the calendar mean?
- Do you take late work?
- Is this class 'hard'?/Am I going to pass?
- What are booktalks? What are body human experiences? What are life days?
- Are you a hippie?
WHAT DID WE DO YESTERDAY????
At this point, I have an average of 17 students missing class
each day. If you miss class, CLICK ON THE CALENDAR LINK ON THIS
SITE. I keep it as updated as possible. Then, CLICK ON THE
HANDOUTS LINK. One can then download any project instructions,
worksheets, handouts, and even complete them when they are
due :).
Call me if you have any problems (I am not comfortable putting
my cell phone number on the internet, but students should have it
on their syllabus).
If you know you are going to be absent, you need to TURN YOUR
WORK IN BEFORE YOU LEAVE, and get your make-up work BEFORE when
possible.
What do I do if I miss a day of class?
CLICK ON THE CALENDAR LINK ON THIS SITE. I keep it as updated
as possible. Then, CLICK ON THE HANDOUTS LINK. See explanation
above for 'what did we do yesterday?'. If you have a specific
question about any item on the agenda, please ask me. ;)
What do the acronyms (and all that other junk) on the calendar mean?
1st 5: is what we do in the first five (and sometimes more)
minutes of class. Sometimes, especially when I have something
fairly important for the students to complete, I do that at the
beginning of the class in lieu of the First-5. In that case, it
is usually a handout or some type of worksheet the students
complete and hand in.
DUE: means these papers were due on that specific day. I usually
try to put up due dates at least the day before, especially on
Friday night when the work is due on Monday. I avoid Monday
tests when possible; however, when they are necessary, they are
put on the calendar by the previous Friday.
HO: signifies an informational handout (although these are
interactive, they most likely are not taken for a grade).
WS: denotes a worksheet. Most often, worksheets are homework (I
rarely take work at the end of the hour), and must be completed
BEFORE class on the following day. Regrettably, I do not take
late work, so ensure this work is completed by the due date.
HW: denotes that the said assignment is homework if it is not
completed in class. This typically means it needs to be
completed by the following day.
In the Handouts section are some of the more important handouts,
including worksheets that students receive that week. Use this
to ensure you received everything you should have. (Parents: use
this to make sure your student has everything he/she should.)
Do you take late work?
No. Unless it is a major project, late work is not accepted.
This is in the handbook as well as the syllabus.
Is this class 'hard'?/Am I going to pass?
First of all, 'hard' is a rather abstract and therefore
unidentifiable concept, as it is relative to the speaker and
often determined by his/her personal experiences, which may, in
fact not be 'hard' at all. Secondly, both CP and AP classes ought
to challenge students. If you already know all the answers, then
either you need to be in a higher-level class, or I am not
performing my job. In order to make students think critically,
difficult topics and assignments are utilized; however, I am
always willing to run a thousand miles WITH you. I simply will
not run a thousand miles FOR you. My job is not to babysit (I'd
probably get paid more, though...j/k). We will grow together,
but as you well know, growing up is often challenging.
I will never ask for more than you can give. If you feel
something is unfair or overly cumbersome, TALK TO ME (preferably
before the last week of the 9 weeks period).
As for grades, all I do is crunch the numbers. Study for tests,
take ALL bonus opportunities, and ask when you lack
understanding. See me after class if you need tutoring, and turn
in ALL work. If you do these things, you will most definitely
pass. An 'A' is attainable, but exceptional effort is required.
As in life, you must work for what you desire. Hopefully, you
will reap much more than a letter grade from my course. If not, I
am terribly sorry I failed you. No pun intended. Maybe.
What are booktalks? What are body human experiences? What are life days?
Please see the handout for each of these in the Handouts section,
but here are brief explanations...
Booktalks are oral critical literary analysis appointments each
student makes with me approximately four times a year.
Doesn't 'booktalk' sound much less daunting?
Body human experiences are opportunities to participate in one's
community and reflect on that experience. There are four parts
aside from participating: explain where/what/when/why, explain
how it affects the body human, explain how it affects you, and
create a visual representation of said experience. Approximately
3 of these will be completed each nine weeks.
Life days are days which students prepare for by investigating
current events and important issues that interest them. They
identify sources and create discussion questions regarding their
selected topic. I have a plethora of websites to use if students
draw a blank, but I really want students to be aware of and
interested in what's going on in the world, why it's happening,
and what we can do. They are days intended to provoke thought,
discuss difficult issues, and encourage education while
eliminating ignorance.
Are you a hippie?
No. I am a pacifist most days(despite my unwavering resolution on
key issues), may be somewhat unconventional in my teaching style
(and in the manner in which I think), support the idea of
Love/unity/harmony/peace, appreciate the transcendentalist
mindset of the inseparable ties between man/God/nature, do reject
some accepted political/social philosophies, and may sometimes
wear "sort of flowy" clothing...and though these may be
indicative of being a hippie in the 21st century, I vehemently
reject the use of illicit drugs and substances to "free one's
mind" (my freedom was bought at a far Greater Price) or escape
reality (why not just be the change you want to see in the
world?), and I am quite frankly disgusted by the idea of "free
love" manifesting itself in physical contact (Love is so much
more than what makes one 'feel good' and greatly surpasses our
often immature desire for physical intimacy). So, no. I simply
cannot be defined as a 'hippie.' ;)