HELLO and WELCOME to ENGLISH CLASS!

I’m really excited to have you!

Here are a few of the skills we will be honing (yes, honing) in class this year:

·         Building English knowledge through reading, speaking, and writing

·         Evaluating informational (nonfiction) and narrative (fiction) texts

·         Identifying assumptions and premises of an author or work

·         Effectively using evidence to support claims verbally and in writing

·         Recognizing that purpose and audience change how ideas are (or should be) communicated

·         Utilizing technology and digital media to convey Information

·         Developing and demonstrating intellectual curiosity

·         Employing critical media literacy in everyday life

·         Viewing identity as multifaceted and often conflicting (not static)

·         Understanding other perspectives and cultures

My name is Maeve Peterson, the English teacher formerly known as Ms. Fischer. 
A few things about me:

·         I’m a La Crosse native, but live in Viroqua.

·         I broke my arm trying to bungee jump off my back steps when I was five.

·         In high school, I was the lead singer of a mediocre musical group called The Vinyl Fischer Band.

·         I hiked 2,176 miles from Springer Mountain Georgia to Katahdin Mountain Maine in 2008.  It took six months.

·         I played street ping-pong this summer in Florence Italy with some Egyptian exchange students.  I like to think I held my own.

·         I am down to earth and honest—if you ask me for my opinion, I will tell you.

·         I truly believe English is fun, interesting, and pertinent to life.  I hope you’ll agree with me by the end of the year (if not before)!

Things You Do for Class

·         Come prepared!  Bring a notebook, writing utensil, and a folder every day.  You are responsible for keeping track of your own journal entries, handouts, assignments for writing portfolios, etc.

·         Show up!  In accordance with the handbook, you are not allowed to make up or turn in work that was missed during an unexcused absence.  After ten absent days, no work will be accepted for credit.

·         Be on time!  If the bell rings before you are actually THROUGH the doorway, go to the office to get a pass.

·         Participate!  I want to get to know you, so please contribute!  You don’t always have to raise your hand.

o   CHECK your language!  Using derogatory language is not tolerated.  THINK about what you are saying before you say it.

·         Pay attention!  Stay awake with your head off your desk. 

·         I will take your phone if I see it and/ or catch you using it. 

o   First Offense: I take it for the rest of the day.  You can pick it up from me after school.

o   Second Offense: I take it to the office; your parent has to come in to get it.

o   Third Offense: You are no longer allowed to have your phone on school premises (use it during passing time, etc.)

·         Turn in work on time!  This means at the beginning of the class period (you should NOT be frantically writing before the bell rings).  Please place it in the appropriate wooden slot at the front of the room.  I do not accept late work.  If there are extenuating circumstances, talk to me before the assignment is due.

·         Try!  If you read and engage with the material for this class, you will learn more and have more fun.  I have a keen eye for spotting slackers—don’t think you’re fooling me if you turn in subpar work.

·         Demonstrate independence!  This means forming your own ideas while understanding the point of view of others.  If I ask you to write a paper, don’t simple regurgitate what I said in class.  I will not tolerate plagiarism.  If you have a legitimate reason for needing more time to complete a paper or project, talk to me instead of copying someone else’s ideas.

·         Respect me and your classmates!  This includes following school rules, cleaning up your own messes, and asking before using classroom materials.  If you’re unsure if you should be doing something, you probably shouldn’t.  But you can always ask me.

Things I Do for Class

·         Provide clear directions and expectations!  Please ask me if something does not make sense.  I will never try to intentionally trick you with a prompt or test question.  If the wording or vocabulary of question is unclear, ask what it means instead of getting the question wrong (vocabulary tests are an exception, of course).

·         Grade things in a timely manner and provide written feedback!  I promise to read your assignments.  I may not return things as quickly as you would like, but I will return them.

·         Try to keep things interesting!  I will take your input into consideration but challenge you at the same time.  The classroom is not a democracy— I may ask you to do or read a few things you don’t like, but bear with me.

·         Respect you and your classmates!  I like you already.  Let’s have a great year.