Fall+2011

October 14, 2011

Dear Former Students,

I hope that this year is your best year yet, and I hope that you have many more happy and meaningful years to come. I was thinking about you today because I just came back from a conference (Pennsylvania Council of the Teachers of English and Language Arts, PCTELA) in which we were cheering about smart today's students are. Do you realize that you helped create you own language? Yes, the language that you use in Twitter and texting is a sophisticated form of communications. What an amazing feat. Congratulations.

As I have been in a very self-reflective mode lately, I wanted to pass on some of what I've learned over the years. I want each and every one of you to have a terrific future. Here are some of my suggestions to help you prepare:

1. Set goals for what you want to accomplish! Both short term and long term goals. Take steps to achieve them. If you need help, the guidance counselors or other responsible adults can help you. 2. Get ready to take the proper texts to get you into college (PSATs/SATs), etc. 2. Read. For example, my daughter alternates between reading a nonfiction book and then a fiction book. I make her step in up a little bit each time. Read for fun and read to prepare for your future. When you go to college, you often will be given reading assignments of 50 to 100 pages or more. Amp up your reading chops! 3. Remember to use reciprocal teaching to help you understand texts in all disciplines. The four components are: 4. Write! 5. Have great conversations with your friends and others. Some of my most meaningful conversations were those unexpected quick exchanges at lunch or before or after school. 6. Become media critics! Study media literacy so that you are smart consumers of what you read, listen to, watch, and view. Then use the media and other technology to help you become successful.
 * Summarize
 * Predict
 * Clarify
 * Question- Remember to use those teacher like questions! Those higher order, Bloom-type questions. 2 Using Bloom's to Analyze Literature
 * Keep a personal journal that only you see! Questions about life, dreams, plans for the future, observations, and other topics are wonderful things to include.
 * Keep a school journal in which you respond to texts that you read.
 * Practice writing in other formats such as essays, letters, and short story forms.

Enjoy your school year!

Thinking of you,

Mrs. Redmond