Welcome to English with Mrs. Duggan!
This site was created to be used as an interactive extension to our classroom. Using this page, you will be able to access curriculum related material, documents used in class for your use at home, and helpful links.
Use the "Grade 6" or "Grade 7" page to bring you to appropriate grade-level materials and content. |
Please click the blue button below to access the Student Information Form, and complete with a parent/guardian.
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What do I need to know about English class?
1. What Should I Bring?
Everyday, students should come prepared with 5 essential items:
- English Binder Why? Your binder is a place where you will store classwork, notes (in your writer's notebook), or graded assignments. Most of the items in your English binder are there for longer term storage. The items you store in your binder usually will help you prepare for a quiz, test, paper or project.
- Accordion Folder - Why? You will likely need to bring your accordion folder to all of your classes where you will have homework assigned to you. Any homework assignments or homework materials you receive over the course of the day should be stored in your accordion folder. You should plan on bringing your accordion folder to and from school daily. This way, you don't have to lug all of your binders home every night!
- Agenda - Why? You will get homework assigned to you very frequently in ELA class. The BEST way to manage your assignments is through your agenda. We will practice getting into the habit of writing your assignments down daily.
- Stocked Up Pencil Case - Why? In class, you will be asked to use a variety of supplies during lessons and classwork. The most important supplies to ALWAYS bring include: pen or pencil, highlighters, post-it notes, ear-buds. *It's also a good idea to keep a supply of the following items in your locker (but you don't need to bring to class everyday): markers/colored pencils, white-out, eraser caps, etc.
- Book - Why? Many lessons, discussions and activities are designed around the book(s) we read as a class. It's a good idea to have your book to refer to when needed. You'll also be given class time to partner, group or independently read as part of a lesson, or if you finish an activity early.
2. Routines to Remember!
To keep class fresh, new and exciting, lessons and activities in ELA are always presented in different ways. BUT, there are a few routines that will be followed almost every ELA class. These routines will help you to be prepared and stay organized, no matter how different the lessons and activities may be.
The First 5 Minutes
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The Last 3 Minutes
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3. Expectations / Rules |
4. Policies
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Keys for Success (as Told by Mrs. Duggan)
--> Attitude & Perseverance - At some point this year (and beyond), ALL of you (including me!) will face challenges. Sometimes, class material will be challenging, assignments will take a lot of time, and sometimes things happen in our own personal lives that make it difficult to make school a priority. BUT - I implore you to EMBRACE THE STRUGGLE(s) YOU FACE. You will ONLY learn and develop (as students and people), if you struggle. See the struggles and challenges as opportunities to grow and to become better. It sounds cliche, but think back to when you learned to ride a bike - it probably involved fear, falling, probably some cuts or bruises. Had you given up, and rejected the struggle, you never would have learned to ride a bike. The struggle was essential to learning. So, this year, think of challenges and struggles as opportunities to become a better version of yourself - academically or personally!
--> Organization - I PROMISE if you try to stay organized with your materials, assignments and time management, you will set yourself up for success (in all classes, not just in ELA). If you are finding yourself struggling with your organization, come see me so that I can help you try out strategies to make your life easier.
At home, I strongly recommend getting your homework done ASAP after you get home. You should set up your own Homework Zone with a set of materials that will help you get your homework done efficiently. I would get into the habit of shutting down your phone during homework time. You'd be surprised how much longer homework takes when you check your phone every time a text or Snap comes in ;).
At home, I strongly recommend getting your homework done ASAP after you get home. You should set up your own Homework Zone with a set of materials that will help you get your homework done efficiently. I would get into the habit of shutting down your phone during homework time. You'd be surprised how much longer homework takes when you check your phone every time a text or Snap comes in ;).
--> Time Management - Because of the demands of school, you probably have other activities to keep you from turning into a robot or zombie. So, your afternoons, evenings and weekends probably involve activities that you enjoy doing...activities that you choose to do - unlike school work which involves tasks that you have to do.
But, what if your activities after school or on the weekends interfere with time needed to get your school work done? How can you maintain a balance and manage both work and play? Planning ahead and budgeting your time is ESSENTIAL to making sure you accomplish what needs to be done, while also being able to do things you enjoy.
If we do not plan ahead or budget our time, usually procrastination and stress roll in like big dark storm clouds. My philosophy is that life is way too short for stress, so we should try to avoid it at all costs! Watch the video below to help you understand why we procrastinate, and how to avoid it.
But, what if your activities after school or on the weekends interfere with time needed to get your school work done? How can you maintain a balance and manage both work and play? Planning ahead and budgeting your time is ESSENTIAL to making sure you accomplish what needs to be done, while also being able to do things you enjoy.
If we do not plan ahead or budget our time, usually procrastination and stress roll in like big dark storm clouds. My philosophy is that life is way too short for stress, so we should try to avoid it at all costs! Watch the video below to help you understand why we procrastinate, and how to avoid it.
-->Be Curious. Don't Stop Asking Questions - Instead of just listening in class and/or passively participating in our class discussions and activities, take control of your learning and educational experience by asking questions, digging deeper and thinking outside of the box. You will be shocked at what you are capable of when you allow yourself to think beyond the facts in your textbook. Imagine if people like Steve Jobs hadn't thought outside of the box....
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