Welcome to Writing 2 @ CHAT!

 Greetings!

This is just a short note to say "Hello!" and to welcome both students and parents to my Writing 2 class at CHAT.  (I see a great mix of familiar and new names on the list. ) 

I'll be sending a longer, "here's what you need to know before school starts" email over the weekend, so this is just a brief greeting.  

This year I will be using Google Classroom for all of the assignments, so if you don't already have one, you should be getting from Mrs. Nelson a student chatclasses email for your child who is enrolled in this class.  My practice is to send all class emails and updates to parents and students, so if you want to use another email in addition to this one, please let me know.  

I hope you've had a good, fun, and relaxing summer.  And I also hope you're looking forward to a new school year.  I know I am!!

Blessings, 

Mrs. Prichard

Writing 2 – 2019/2020 -- Classroom Policies

Classroom Conduct

·         As we explore the topics in our literature selections and the various aspects of writing, we’ll engage in whole-class and small group discussions.  Be polite and respectful of each other’s time and comments.

·         We only meet once a week and need to make the most of our time.  Come to class prepared and with the appropriate materials (books, notebook, pens, etc.).  Avoid unrelated and unnecessary conversations and activities that will distract us from learning.  Turn off ALL electronic devices.  (They may be confiscated until the end of the CHAT school day.  Please see the CHAT Code of Conduct for specific guidelines.)

Communication

·         Weekly updates that include the material covered and upcoming assignments will be sent to the e-mail addresses that parents submitted when registering for the class.  I will also collect e-mail addresses from students.  I prefer to communicate via e-mail, but can be reached on my cell phone if the concern is urgent.  (507/581-0270)

·         I’m using two other on-line resources: a blog and Google Drive as a document storage site.  Here’s how they will work:

–  Writing 2 – www.chatwriting2.blogspot.com.  The blog entries will contain the same information from the e-mail updates.  These entries will serve as a consolidation and reference for our weekly lessons for the semester.  Hopefully we can avoid forgotten assignments or missing e-mails.  If students or parents are unsure about an assignment, they have two places to go to find the information.

–  Google Drive –Most of the handouts will be available on a shared folder in Google Drive either as Word documents or PDF files.  Parents and students will receive an e-mail and be invited to view the “Writing 1” folder.  These documents can be downloaded and printed from home computers.

–  MyGradeBook – www.mygradebook.com. This is an online grade book on which I will enter the grades and scores for completed assignments.  Parents and students can log in to check progress.  Note:  Scores may not be immediately added to the website; feel free to contact me for any questions.

Homework Guidelines

·         Short writing assignments, Literature assignments, and Grammar worksheets should be handed in at class time when it is due.  Unless arrangements have been made with Mrs. Prichard, any assignments handed in after this time will be considered late.  While a lot of grace and patience will be given for overdue homework, students must show effort and must communicate about any difficulties they are having.  Please see the Late Homework Guidelines below.

·         Keep on schedule with the reading assignments.  Students who have read the assigned portions will engage more actively, learn more effectively and enjoy more fully the class discussions.

·         Rough drafts must be handed in on time, either in class or via e-mail so that they can be corrected and handed back on time.  If a rough draft does not get handed in, the student will miss out on the opportunity to learn from mistakes.  His/her composition will be graded as a final draft.

·         Final copies of assigned essays should be handed in when due or e-mailed on the Monday after it was assigned.  With special permission, an essay will be given an extension.

·         Extra credit activities will be offered from time to time.  The thrust of these will be mostly “fun and interest.”  Even though the scores will be added to the cumulative scores for the class, they are not a substitute for regular assignments.

Late Homework Guidelines

·         Homework is most useful when it is completed by the due date.  Grammar worksheets and     literature-related homework is not as beneficial for the student if it is done after the class has     covered that topic

·         Any homework handed in more than 2 weeks late will not be scored.  For example, if a worksheet     is assigned in Week 2 and due Week 3, it will not be accepted after Week 5.

·         If a student is absent due to an illness or family situation, parents should contact me.  Extensions       will be given in these circumstances.

Grading Policy

·         Accumulating points is the NOT an important aspect of this class.  My goal is that students grow as learners and writers; this is not always reflected in classroom points.  However, points are a helpful indicator of diligence, improvement, and, to some extent, quality.

·         Points will be given in the following areas:

–  Quick Writes & Vocabulary Builders – 5 pt. /day.  These exercises at the beginning of each class will not be graded for content, but will receive points for participation.

–  Short writing assignments, including lists, grammar exercises, 1 paragraph answers, etc. – points are dependent on the assignment.

–  Extra Credit – 2 – 10 pt. each, depending on the assignment.

–  Pre-Writes – 5 points for outlines, mindmaps, and any activity that shows brainstorming and researching.

–  Rough Drafts – 10 points for handing it in on time.

–  Final Essays – 40 pt.  Essays will be graded in four areas:  Focus, Content, Organization, and Mechanics /Grammar.

Writing 2 Fall Technology Resources

Greetings Parents of Writing 1 Students!

Below are the four primary sources that I will be using with your students this year.  One is an online grade book, and the other three are duplicates of information that students will be getting in class.  You can use them to stay connected with our work in class or to remind a student of an impending assignment or to get a copy of a worksheet that the dog has eaten.

Below are explanations of the resources:

Class Updates: Following our classes, I will send out an email that explains what we covered and class and what the assignments are.  Occasionally I will include links to interesting or pertinent sites that connect to our class discussions.  Any handouts from the class will be attached to these emails. Double check to make sure these emails are making it to your Inbox and not the Junk/Spam folder.

Writing 2 Blog:  The Weekly Class Updates and any other email messages will be posted on this site.  If you need to see a number of the updates at once, this is an efficient way to do it.  Copies of handouts, including links to pdfs on Google Drive, will also be posted.  Photos, images, videos, and links to other related websites will appear on this site.  If you're curious, you can peruse the blog for past posts in order to get a feeling for what to expect this year.  (Follow this link for this message!)

Google Drive:  This is an online storage site, and I have folders with all of the documents that I use in a larger folder labeled 2019 CHAT Writing 1 Fall Student.  If a student loses something handed out in class, this is another place to find it.  Most of the documents are as pdfs, but there are a few Word documents and Google docs mixed in.  (Note:  I am still in the process of loading up the folders, so you might not see much until the start of school.)

My GradeBook:  This is the online grade book that I will be using this year.  I've used it for a couple of years now, and it is pretty straightforward.  I also use an old-fashioned paper grade book that is up to date with every assignment, but it may take a week or so to get the grades onto this site.  That said, it should be a pretty accurate picture of what homework is missing and of ongoing scores for work handed in.  (Note:  You will be getting another email with specific instructions about signing in to the class.)

These resources have helped solve some of these problems:

If a student isn't sure of an assignment, he/sh can check

-- the syllabus that was handed out

-- the Class Update

-- the Writing 1 blog

If a student is missing something that I handed out, he/she can find it

-- as an attachment to a Class Update

-- on the Writing 1 blog

-- in the appropriate folder on Google Drive

If you have questions about grades or missing homework, you can

-- check My GradeBook

-- send me a personal e-mail.

Thank you for entrusting your children to my teaching.  I'll do my best to communicate with you, and feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Tammy Prichard

Welcome to Writing 2, Fall 2019

Greetings Parents!

Registrations have been coming in, and Kim Nelson has sent out updated class rosters to the tutors.  I'm excited to see so many Writing 2 students.  For those who are new to my classes, I will use emails and this blog, Writing 2, to keep parents informed and connected.  If you are curious about the class, feel free to peruse past blog posts, especially the Weekly Class Notes.

The students will be reading My Antonia (Willa Cather), I have purchased these books for the students. I prefer that students all have the same edition & publisher, so I purchase the books through Dover Publications, which are also fairly inexpensive.  I'll bring the books to class, and your students should plan to bring a notebook or paper for taking notes and a binder or folders for keeping track of handouts and assignments.

In addition to weekly emails and blog posts, I will use Google Drive for access to any class worksheets and handouts, and My GradeBook as an online grade book for keeping track of scores and assignments.  In the near future, you will be getting 2 emails -- one to invite you to a shared folder of the classes documents and one to invite you to your My GradeBook account.

I'm looking forward to a new group of students and a fresh year of writing.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  Please let me know that you received this email; you can simply hit "reply" and "send."  Also, if you student has a separate email that he/she would like me to use, please send that to me.

Looking forward to my fall classes,

Tammy Prichard

Welcome to Writing 2, 2017

Greetings Parents!

Registrations have been coming in, and Kim Nelson has sent out updated class rosters to the tutors.  I'm excited to see this class fill up.  For those who are new to my classes, I will use e-mails and this blog, Writing 2, to keep parents and students informed and connected.  If you are curious about the class, feel free to peruse past blog posts, especially the Weekly Class Notes.

The students will be reading My Antonia (Willa Cather) and other short selections from Midwestern literature.  (Note:  This is instead of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (Mark Twain),which was last year's selection and was on the registration materials.) I will buy the books for the students.  Having the same versions of the book facilitates both discussions and assignment-making; I order almost all of my books from Dover Publications because they are so inexpensive.  

The only items your student needs to bring to class, along with some paper and a pen/pencil, is a notebook or folder to keep track of assignments, handouts, worksheets, and class notes.  In the past, I've used Dropbox as storage for handouts for the class.  This year I am using Google Docs.  Shortly, you will receive an invitation to join the shared Google Docs folder with all of the study guides, handouts, worksheets, etc.

I use My GradeBook, an online grade book, for keeping track of assignments and grades.  You will be getting a link to that account, also. 

I'm looking forward to this group of students and starting a fresh year of writing.  If your student has an email that I can use for the class, please send that to me.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Please let me know that you received this e-mail; you can simply hit "reply" and "send."  Also, if your student has a separate e-mail that he/she would like me to use, please send that to me.

Looking forward to the Fall classes!

Tammy Prichard

Welcome to Writing 2, 2016 - 2017

Kim Nelson has been sending out rosters for the fall classes, and I'm excited to see the Writing 2 Class fill up.  I'm looking forward to a great year with your students.

 For those who are new to my classes, I will use e-mails and this blog to keep parents and students informed and connected.  If you are curious about the class, feel free to peruse past blog posts, especially the Weekly Class Notes.

The students will be reading A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain this semester.  I will buy these books for the students.  I order almost all of my books from Dover Publications because they are so inexpensive.  

The only items your student needs to bring to class, along with some paper and a pen/pencil, is a notebook or folder to keep track of assignments, handouts, worksheets, and class notes.  

Shortly, you will receive an invitation to join the Dropbox folder with all of the study guides, handouts, worksheets, etc.

I also use My GradeBook, an online grade book, for keeping track of assignments and grades.  You will be getting a link to that account also. 


I'm looking forward to a new group of students and starting a fresh year of writing.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Looking forward to the Fall classes!

Tammy Prichard

Writing 2 Classroom Policies

Writing 2 – Fall 2015

Classroom Policies

Classroom Conduct

·         As we explore the topics in our literature selections and the various aspects of writing, we’ll engage in whole-class and small group discussions.  Be polite and respectful of each others time and comments.

·         We only meet once a week and need to make the most of our time.  Come to class prepared and with the appropriate materials (books, notebook, pens, etc.).  Avoid unrelated and unnecessary conversations and activities that will distract us from learning.  Turn off ALL electronic devices.  (They may be confiscated until the end of the CHAT school day.)

Communication

·         Weekly updates that include the material covered and upcoming assignments will be sent to the e-mail addresses that parents submitted when registering for the class.  I will also collect e-mail addresses from students.  I prefer to communicate via e-mail, but can be reached on my cell phone if the concern is urgent.  (507/581-0270)

·         I’m using three other on-line resources: a blog and a document storage site, Dropbox.  Here’s how they will work:

–  Writing 1 – www.chatwriting1.blogspot.com.  The blog entries will contain the same information from the e-mail updates.  I’m hoping these entries will serve as a consolidation and reference for our weekly lessons for the semester.  Hopefully we can avoid forgotten assignments or missing e-mails.  If students or parents are unsure about an assignment, they have two places to go to find the information.

–  Dropbox – www.dropbox.com.  Most of the handouts will be available on the Dropbox website.  Parents and students will receive an e-mail and be invited to view the “Writing 1” folder.  These documents can be downloaded and printed from home computers.

–  Engrade – www.engrade.com. This is an online grade book on which I will enter the grades and scores for completed assignments.  Parents and students can log in to check progress.  Note:  Scores may not be immediately added to the website; feel free to contact me for any questions.

Homework Guidelines

·         Short writing assignments should be handed in at class time when it is due.  Unless arrangements have been made with Mrs. Prichard, any assignments handed in after this time will be considered late.  While a lot of grace and patience will be given for overdue homework, students must show effort and must communicate about any difficulties they are having.

·         Keep on schedule with the reading assignments.  Students who have read the assigned portions will engage more actively, learn more effectively and enjoy more fully the class discussions.

·         Rough drafts must be handed in on time, either in class or via e-mail so that they can be corrected and handed back on time.  If a rough draft does not get handed in, the student will miss out on the opportunity to learn from mistakes.  His/her composition will be graded as a final draft.

·         Final copies of assigned essays should be handed in when due or e-mailed on the Monday after it was assigned.  With special permission, an essay will be given an extension.

·         Extra credit activities will be offered from time to time.  The thrust of these will be mostly “fun and interest.”  Even though the scores will be added to the cumulative scores for the class, they are not a substitute for regular assignments.

Grading Policy

·         Accumulating points is the NOT an important aspect of this class.  My goal is that students grow as learners and writers; this is not always reflected in classroom points.  However, points are a helpful indicator of diligence, improvement, and, to some extent, quality.

·         Points will be given in the following areas:

–  Participation – 5 pt. /day.  This includes good attitudes, helpful comments in the discussions, respect of others.

–  Quick Writes & Vocabulary Builders – 5 pt. /day.  These exercises at the beginning of each class will not be graded for content, but will receive points for participation.

–  Short writing assignments, including lists, grammar exercises, 1 paragraph answers, etc. – points are dependent on the assignment.

–  Extra Credit – 2 – 10 pt. each, depending on the assignment.

–  Pre-Writes – 5 points for outlines, mindmaps, and any activity that shows brainstorming and researching.

–  Rough Drafts – 10 points for handing it in on time.

–  Final Essays – 40 pt.  Essays will be graded in four areas:  Focus, Content, Organization, and Mechanics /Grammar.

Welcome to CHAT Writing 2

Welcome to Writing 2!

Kim Nelson has been sending out rosters for the fall classes, and I'm excited to see the Writing 2 Class fill up.  (At this point, the class is full with a waiting list.)  I'm looking forward to a great year with your students.

 For those who are new to my classes, I will use e-mails and this blog to keep parents and students informed and connected.  If you are curious about the class, feel free to peruse past blog posts, especially the Weekly Class Notes.

The students will be reading A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain this semester.  I will buy these books for the students.  I order almost all of my books from Dover Publications because they are so inexpensive.  

The only items your student needs to bring to class, along with some paper and a pen/pencil, is a notebook or folder to keep track of assignments, handouts, worksheets, and class notes.  Shortly, you will receive an invitation to join the Dropbox folder with all of the study guides, handouts, worksheets, etc. and an invitation to Engrade, an online grading software.


I'm looking forward to a new group of students and starting a fresh year of writing.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

See you in a couple of weeks!
Tammy Prichard

Welcome to Writing 2 at CHAT

Welcome to Writing 2!

Kim Nelson has been sending out rosters for the fall classes, and I'm excited to see the Writing 2 Class fill up.  (At this point, the class is full with a waiting list.)  I'm looking forward to a great year with your students.

 For those who are new to my classes, I will use e-mails and this blog to keep parents and students informed and connected.  If you are curious about the class, feel free to peruse past blog posts, especially the Weekly Class Notes.

The students will be reading A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain this semester.  I will buy these books for the students.  I order almost all of my books from Dover Publications because they are so inexpensive.  

The only items your student needs to bring to class, along with some paper and a pen/pencil, is a notebook or folder to keep track of assignments, handouts, worksheets, and class notes.  Shortly, you will receive an invitation to join the Dropbox folder with all of the study guides, handouts, worksheets, etc.  


I'm looking forward to a new group of students and starting a fresh year of writing.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Tammy Prichard