Spring Grades Comments

Dear CHAT Writing 2 Students & Parents,

I've just finished calculating the grades for the Spring semester, and you will be finding them in your inbox by the end of the week.  As tutors, these are suggested grades for you as homeschooling families to consider.

For those who are new to my classes, let me share my thoughts on grades.  As I homeschooled, I didn't give my children grades.  I felt that grades were far too subjective.  I taught my own children for mastery.  We didn't proceed with a topic until they were ready no matter how long that took. 

Letter grades are a funny thing.  For some students, it becomes the only motivation for doing well.  For some, it becomes a measure of their worth as a person or as an academic learner.  I personally don't like these "side effects" of the grading system.  On the other hand, grades can be a valid reflection and reward for working hard, being diligent, and understanding the materials.

When teaching students to be good writers, I give a lot of consideration for growth and improvement. Each student has a starting place; over time I look for him or her to learn the mechanics of grammar, good writing techniques, and analytical thinking skills.

For this class, I gave points for attendance, participation, short assignments and longer essays.  We also did a few grammar exercises.  I tend to be an "easy grader" and like to see my students encouraged to do their best.  For this class, the final drafts were graded using a rubric that divided the papers into the following categories:  focus, content, organization, and mechanics.

Each student (and parents) will receive an e-mail with percentages and suggested grades for this semester.   I will also attach a printout from Engrade that lists each assignment.  I’ve seen each student improve with each paper.  Good Work!

Blessings,

Tammy Prichard

Writing 2 Class Notes -- OUR FINAL WEEK!! (May 8)

Greetings!

On this last week, we eschewed our customary Quick Writes and Words of the Day.  In lieu of our regular Quick Write, the students wrote Reflection Papers about their time in Writing 2 this year.  I asked them to write about what they had learned and how they had grown as writers this year.  They've written some thoughtful comments.

We spent our last class having some great literary fun and eating cookies and brownies.  Last week we began with our Poetry Jam, and we finished it this week.  We only got half-way through the first round during our previous week.  This week we finished our "Poetry Play-offs."  

I was really pleased with the involvement of the students.  They were great sports to not only recite so many pieces of poetry but to carefully score the presentations of their classmates.  

To conclude the class, 2 members from each team participated in a "rap" version of "Oh, the Places You Go." (You can see this youtube video with a rap version of this Dr. Seuss poem.)  I've posted some pictures from this class on the blog site.

Some students handed in some late homework, which I will finish grading.  The grades for this class will be ready to go out in a few days.  My "suggested grades," along with my thoughts on grades, will be out soon, too.

I've had a great year with these students.  They've been wonderfully engaged in our discussions and have worked hard on their essays.  They have grown as writers and thinkers.  I hope to see many of my Writing 2 students next year in Writing 3.

This week's Class Notes link.

Have a great summer!

Mrs. Prichard

Writing 2 Class Notes -- Week 14 (May 1)

Greetings!

A belated and brief "Class Notes:"

We are down to the wire and have only one class left. 

One of the end of the year activities that I like to do is to have students write Reflection Papers about what they've learned this year and what they think of themselves as writers.  For our final week's class we will write this as our Quick Write.  Two class periods ago I mentioned to the students that we would be doing this.  If they want to do a "Pre-write" to gather their thoughts and ideas about this in advance, they can bring whatever brainstorming they have and use it in class.

The remainder of our class time was taken by our Poetry Jam.  We were able to finish the first round of our "bracket" and will finish our competition at our last class.  

For our Last Week:

-- Bring 2 poems that you can present for finish the first round and for the second round.  

-- I'll be bringing brownies.  Extra treats are welcome.

-- Any unfinished work?  Last chance to bring it to class.

Links for this week:

Why Reflect?  Reflection for Learning

Class Notes

See y'all on Thursday!

Mrs. Prichard