FAQ's

General Class FAQs

How can parents check homework?

In addition to Infinite Campus, you can use the “Daily Agenda” link to find each night’s assignments. It will also show you what your child has been doing in class each day. How else can you help your child have great success in ELA this year? Click here to find out.

Is homework given daily?

There are two activities I ask my students to complete each night: read for at least 15 to 20 minutes, and practice any non-mastered skills. (Click here to learn more about why reading every day is crucial.)

Where can my child find ELA study tools?

Check out the links in the navigation bar of the class website. There you’ll find online (and printable) class notes for the entire school year, study games, vocabulary flashcards, book recommendations, and much more.

How can students get extra help?

I'm available for help between 7:00 and 7:50 every morning before school, and I will stay after school by special request (please see me to schedule a time). I can also offer help during x-block, a twice-a-week silent study time between 7th and 8th periods.

What can students (or parents) do if they need help outside of school hours?

Please feel free to email at any time. I'm usually very good about checking my inbox throughout the evening, and I'll do my best to respond right away.

Instruction FAQs

What happens when students master or already know certain skills?

Students who are ready will move on to the succeeding or more rigorous level of each skill in question--even if it means moving at a faster pace than the rest of the class. This means there is no set limit as to what (or how much) a child can learn this year. Skills will be assessed through comprehensive assessments taken throughout the school year. This is done for two purposes: first, to help students identify which skills they've mastered and which need additional practice, and second, to hold them accountable for permanent understanding. In other words, I encourage students to retain what they've learned for use beyond sixth grade and not just for assessments.

What happens when students struggle with a particular skill?

This will happen every now and then, as is natural. When it does, students can spend additional time reviewing certain skills in flexible groups, come in for extra help during X-block, or even come in before or after school.

Is instruction differentiated?

Yes. Instruction is personalized as much as possible through a student's needs, interests, learning styles, and readiness level--among other things. This includes offering more challenge and rigor when appropriate, as well as providing extra support if needed.

Reading FAQs

Will you be reading class novels this year?

Yes. In addition to reading a variety of books in small groups and as a whole class, we will also cover a great many short stories, poems, and non-fiction texts.

What books will you be reading?

I prefer to give students say in regards to the class books we read, so I can’t list a series of titles here. That said, please note that the choices derive from a variety of factors, including individual students’ readiness, need for challenge, interests, and other criteria.

Do students take part in independent reading?

Yes. The procedures and guidelines can be found here (as well as through the Independent Reading link on the class homepage) but the nutshell version is that students are asked to read a personalized number of books and genres by the end of the school year. I will give class time each day to help with this endeavor, but I also expect students to read at home each night.

Writing FAQs

Will students write a lot this year?

Yes. In an information age saturated with texts, emails, websites, and other written information, writing skills are crucial. As such, we will practice writing daily, and we will do so through a variety of purposes, genres, lengths, and styles.

How is writing taught?

Instruction is based on several key factors: looking at students’ strengths and individual areas of need, focusing on and tracking growth in these areas, applying newly acquired skills, writing for authentic purposes, and encouraging true editing, rewriting, and conferencing. A year-long writing project will be used as the main vehicle for learning and practicing various writing skills.

Vocabulary FAQs

Are students taught vocabulary this year?

Yes. We learn through a mix of Greek and Latin stems, as well as common GRE vocabulary terms.

How are students assessed?

Students have vocabulary quizzes every other Thursday. Assessments are cumulative--meaning students are expected to retain the information from previous weeks--and they’ll be quizzed on them in subsequent assessments.

How should students study?

Quizlet flashcards are provided on our class website for at-home studying, but we will also practice through in-school activities and lessons.

Is vocabulary instruction differentiated?

Yes. Like everything else in ELA, vocabulary instruction is differentiated based on readiness, need for an extra challenge, and other factors.