Reading maketh a full man . . . . . Speaking maketh a ready man . . . . . Writing maketh an exact man.

~~Sir Francis Bacon

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

July 2013 Letter to Parents



Parents are the first and best teachers of their children and this class celebrates that. Parents are encouraged to dive into IEW with, through and along side their children.  This class is NOT easy but it is amazing . . . if students stick with it.  They will need you. Please schedule IEW time everyday at home and be prepared to help, facilitate, and encourage.

FOCUS OF CLASS: This writing class focuses on stylistic techniques taught incrementally to establish a well-balanced style of writing including but not limited to exposition papers, critiques, creative writing assignments, and the formal research essay.

GRADES: Evaluation will be discerned with the use of a matrix that includes all elements and the student's completion of required elements. Additionally, basic grammar, computer usage, and writing skills will be graded. There is an automatic 10 point deduction (per week) for late essays, FIX-ITS, vocabulary words and KWOs.




WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS:
•  your TWSS notebook 
•  your class binder with dividers, page protectors & loose leaf paper
•  a pencil, sharpener & highlighter
• 
a Post-it® Note Pack
•  The Giver 
(Immaculate Heart of Mary students)
•  your Gamma book  (Immaculate Heart of Mary students)
•  your enthusiasm!  :-)

BASIC MATERIALS DETAILS:
160 page, 3-ring-binder 
1)  Teaching Writing: Structure and Style WORKBOOK
BRING THIS TO CLASS 
     $35.00 at the IEW website
     TWSS is a 160 page 3-ring-binder  -------->
     No DVDs or Videos are necessary for students 

2) A 1&½ inch 3-ring BINDER with @ least 5 dividers BRING THIS TO CLASS
Page protectors are an excellent way to keep pages from ripping. Keep 10-20 empty page protectors in the back of this daily-use student notebook for fast retrieval.                                  
  • CLASS NOTES & EXERCISES 
  • HELPS, LISTS, & CHECKLISTS 
  • FIX-ITs (weekly grammar homework) 
  • VOCABULARY 
  • TESTS, PROMPTS, HOMEWORK 
3) A large 3-ring BINDER with page protectors (PORTFOLIO)
    This work sample portfolio will be submitted 2X (December & May)

4) A large BINDER or FILE SYSTEM to store completed essays at home 
    One mom suggests: a 9 x 12 Expandable Files (w/ flap, 5 tabs & 6 sections)
    An "all-in-one" suggestion: large 3-ring binder with dividers 


SUGGESTED MATERIAL:
includes Unit Models
  
Portable Wall - contains writing models and helpful, easily accessible information on a tri-fold pocket.  BRING THIS TO CLASS
<-----    $7.00 @ the IEW site


LAGNIAPPE: 
SAT prompts will be discussed and practiced.  Vocabulary is an integral part of the class work and homework. Students have the opportunity to show mastery in their essays.

ABOUT THE TEACHER: 
  Mrs. Peggy Cortez has many years of experience teaching in various settings. She did her graduate work at Sam Houston State University where she also served as an adjunct faculty member. She has also taught at Texas A&M, The University of Houston, and Montclair State University. Mrs. Cortez’s experience in teaching includes pre-school through high school and college. She has taught in both public school and private Catholic Academies since 1992. 
      
Mrs. Cortez is committed to creating the best of all learning environments at our co-op. Although the Cortez family has been home schooling since 2008, Mrs. Cortez was introduced to IEW concepts in 2006 while teaching at Northwoods Catholic School. 

For those who love a math challenge:
If there are 7 in the Cortez household and 57% are native Texans, 28% were born in the Keystone State, and 14% are from Louisiana . . . . .  how many people were born in each of those states?

Hint: round up  ;-)


CONTACT INFORMATION: 
You may contact Mrs. Cortez if you have any questions.
832 766 2172