Parent Letter July 2012

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.

BASIC MATERIALS:

1)  Teaching Writing: Structure and Style WORKBOOK

BRING THIS TO CLASS 

160 page, 3-ring-binder 

     $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 
I have found that page protectors are an excellent way to keep pages from ripping. We keep 10-20 empty page protectors in the back of this daily-use student notebook for fast retrieval.

                                     BRING THIS TO CLASS 

• 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 

includes Unit Models

SUGGESTED MATERIAL:

 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, practiced, and evaluated by the instructor.  Vocabulary is an integral portion of the classwork and homework, class discussion, and an opportunity to show mastery in the student's writing.

ABOUT THE TEACHER: 
 Mrs. Peggy Cortez is our IEW teacher. She 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. Mrs. Cortez has taught pre-school through high school in private Catholic academies since 1992. The Cortez family has been home schooling since 2008 and Mrs. Cortez is committed to creating the best of all learning environments at IHM co-op.
Mrs. Cortez was introduced to IEW concepts in 2006 while teaching at Northwoods Catholic School. She is excited to bring the full TWSS curriculum to our IHM co-op.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

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