Guiding questions for reflective letter

Please write a letter to reflecting on the work you have done both this semester and this year. Please begin this letter, “Dear Reader,”

As you consider your work, look at your three goals on your semester goal sheet. State the goal and explain if you met the goal or not and give examples and/or evidence as to why or why not.

In addition, think about the following:

What do you think you did well this semester? What would you consider your best work? Why?

What challenges did you face this quarter? How did you overcome or face those challenges?

How have you changed as a reader this year? You might find it helpful to look at the first letter of the year in your portfolio?

How have you changed as a writer? Explain.

What did you learn about yourself this year, either in this class or in general, that you think will help you be successful next year?


This letter should be 1-2 pages, double-spaced. You should edit for spelling, punctuation and clarity. Please sign your name at the end of the letter.

Final exam details

Your final will consist of a portfolio and a cumulative vocabulary exam.
Vocabulary Exam: 30% of exam grade
The quizlets for the vocabulary words are posted under helpful documents. I also have a packet which has the entire word list and reviews for each section of words. The exam itself will consist of matching, fill in the blank sentences and paragraphs with a word bank and write-in defintions. You will need to study at home, so please do!

Portfolio: 70% of exam grade
You will receive instructions on this assignment, but it will follow closely to what you did for your midterm. You will select five pieces of work which both represent your best work and show growth throughout the year. In addition, you will fill out a cover sheet, explaining why you chose these pieces and type a 1-2 page reflective letter which reflects on your work this semester. Finally, you will have one other adult read and respond to your portfolio before exam day. Some forms, including the cover letter sheet, instructions and other reader form will be available under helpful documents.

If you have any questions, please see me!

work for week of 5/17

We are continuing to read our independent reading books. You should have read 150 pages by this Friday. This book is due next Friday, May 28.

Memoir journals are due on block day, 5/19 and 5/20.(See below for journal prompts, in case you were absent.)

The rough draft of your memoir is due next block day, 5/26 and 5/27.

memoir journals

Journal #1:
Draw a floor plan of your home when you were 9-12 years old. If you lived in more than one place, choose one place. Within each room, jot down notes of a memory from each room. (You can exclude the bathroom, unless there was a significant moment there for you.)

Then, pick one memory from one room. It can be either a positive or negative memory. Describe what happened with small details. Try to include details you can see, hear, taste or touch. Also, include the feelings you had about this moment while it was happening. After you write what happened, include a sentence or two about how you feel about the event now. You may start this sentence with a phrase like "Looking back..." or "Even though I didn't know it at the time, I now understand..."

Journal #2
Choose an object which has some memory or significance for you. Describe the object, using small details, so we can see, hear and feel it clearly. Then, describe a moment which shows why this object is so important to you.

Journal #3
Pick a place that has some significance to you or where you remember something happening. Describe that place so that we can see it, what it looks like, what sounds you hear, or even what smells you associate with it. Then, describe a memory that shows why that place is so special to you.

Journal #4
Write a six word memoir which captures an important moment in your life. You can download the six word document on the blog for some of the examples I read in class.

Checklist for persuasive letter

Here are some things to consider as you polish your work:

Do you have five paragraphs?

Is there an introduction which clearly states what you are asking to change?

Do you have facts, data and quotes in at least two paragraphs?

Do you have details to support each of your supporting arguments?

Is each paragraph well developed? (At least 5 sentences per paragraph)?

Do you have proper format for a business letter, including header and closing?

Are your facts cited? Is your work cited page at the bottom of the letter?

Did you proofread for spelling and punctuation?

persuasive letters due this week!

You should continue to read your independent books this week. Remember the expectation is 75 pages per week.

In addition, the persuasive letters are due. Please see specifics below:

Rough draft for periods 2 and 5: Tuesday, April 13
Rough draft for period 1: Block day, April 14

Final draft with Works cited (all periods): Friday, April 16

See samples, outlines and instructions under "Helpful Documents". If you have specific questions, please see me.

Persuasive letter and independent reading journals

Please save this document as your last name and plp. Ex: malpassplp
Also, please write all your journals in one document.
Last, save this in your journal folder in your English folder on your desktop.

Journal #1:

What topic have you chosen for your persuasive letter project. If you were to write a thesis for your topic, what might it be? Example: I believe implementing a pay to play model for high school sports would exclude deserving athletes.
Why did you choose this topic?
To whom do you plan to write your letter? Why?

What do you already know about this topic? This can be a brainstormed list which includes any facts or data that may be helpful in persuading someone.

Last, do you have any anecdotes or personal experience which may help you persuade someone? Please write this experience below.