Mrs. Markham'S Site 

Hello, STUDENTS!

I use this site as an informational resource for the courses I teach, as well an an inspirational space for you as a reader and writer. You can click on the appropriate tab at the top of the page to locate materials specific to the course you're taking this semester/ year. Or, you can follow suggested links and explore to further develop your reading and writing selves!  

While general information is posted here, we will use Google Classroom for more specific materials, assignments, and announcements. It is your responsibility to check Classroom regularly, even on days we don't meet in class. I will post items for class sessions to the Stream,  materials to use outside of class, and assignments due under Classwork.  Assignments due on Google Classroom need to be submitted BEFORE class on the day they're due to earn full credit.

I also use Google Drive to provide you with a workspace for your writing. You will draft pieces, share them with me and with peers, and revise your writing inside our shared folder in Google Drive. Per department policy, all final drafts of your completed writing assignments will then be submitted on Turnitin.com. We will also adhere to the Honor Code Policy set by the English Department when we complete written work. 

Grading categories and policies for each course are described within my course syllabi. In general, I am assessing your summative mastery after we have engaged in ample formative learning opportunities for understanding concepts and developing skills. These broad categories are rooted in the GHS English Department's Grading Policy, and value academic habits and process, as well as progress. Assignments and assessments are also designed with the GHS Learning Expectations in mind.

Dear PARENTS,

I am happily teaching for my twenty-third year as a member of the wonderful GHS English Department. While I have taught many of our course offerings over the years, this year I will be teaching two sections of sophomore English 10, two  sections of Level 1 English 11 , a writing course for juniors (with an option to earn UConn ECE credit), one section of American Literature 2 for seniors during the first semester, and one section of the Creative Writing elective during the second semester. 

I most enjoy engaging students in the writing process and encouraging them to see the value in stories as a means to understanding life. I'm lucky. I get to come to work every day and have thought-provoking discussions with the youth who will lead us into a better future! I am also the mother of four children of my own, so I thank you for sharing your kids with me.                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Please feel free to contact me at any point if you have any questions or concerns about your son or daughter's progress in my class. I will get back to you as soon as possible. I really value working alongside parents to understand students more wholly and help them succeed. The most reliable way to reach out is to send me an email. 

I encourage you to ask your son or daughter about their work in English class. You should see them reading regularly, writing in journals, and revising and posting assignments weekly. If you'd like access to our Google Classroom and posted assignments to see what we're working on, you will need student passwords to access that information.