Dear students,
I am your English teacher, Mrs. Housepian, but you can call me Mrs. "House" like most of my students usually do. I am writing you this welcome letter because I want you to know what you can expect from my class this year and what I'm all about. You can also read more details about the year's curriculum on the English 2H home page.
Let's start with some important facts about being a sophomore. This year is the beginning of the "BIG LEAGUES" for you. Your A-G grades "matter" now! Colleges some day very soon (before you know it) will be looking to see HOW you challenged yourself with difficult courses and how you ROSE ABOVE those challenges to succeed. But you aren't alone. Look around you. In time, the students in this class will become your English family and I, will become your tireless guide. After this year you'll be one step closer to college readiness! But what does that even mean? To me, it means that you are effective collaborators and savvy tech integrators. It means that you know how to self-regulate your learning and advocate for yourself when needed. It means that you will become scholarly writers and rigorous readers of challenging (and awesome) texts. And it definitely means that you will become critical thinkers who endlessly search for the "why" in things. #wonderlikeitmatters
Now let's talk about this "honors" business. First of all, I hope you realize that it is a privilege to be in this honors class simply because of the opportunities it will present to you. Opportunities for improved literacy skills, advanced critical thinking experiences, additional exposure to college-prep literature, and preparedness for AP Language & Composition! I will be there every step of the way to push your limits, help you set goals, and give you feedback for growth. I want you to reach your undoubtedly ambitious goals. BUT this whole "you can and will succeed" approach will only work if you are someone who is willing to meet me in the middle and work your hardest. I know I will. But will you? If that isn't something you are willing to do, you should (and I say this with a smile) reconsider your decision to be here.
Finally, positive attitude. You're going to have bad days. I'm going to have bad days. The ants who foolishly decide to crawl into my classroom are going to have a bad day as well. But none of this can control us. WE control our ATTITUDE. When we walk into the door of room 501, you and I are committing to a place where anything is possible, hard work is expected, and growth is inevitable. It's a place where you will always know what is expected of you but also a place where it wouldn't hurt to ask clarifying questions. YOU and you alone need to take ONUS of your path. (that's a cool word--look it up). My job, which I take very seriously, is to ensure that you are successful, but it will require tenacity on both of our parts. We are in this TOGETHER!
Here's to an amazing year of wonder and growth!
Sincerely,
Mrs. House
I am your English teacher, Mrs. Housepian, but you can call me Mrs. "House" like most of my students usually do. I am writing you this welcome letter because I want you to know what you can expect from my class this year and what I'm all about. You can also read more details about the year's curriculum on the English 2H home page.
Let's start with some important facts about being a sophomore. This year is the beginning of the "BIG LEAGUES" for you. Your A-G grades "matter" now! Colleges some day very soon (before you know it) will be looking to see HOW you challenged yourself with difficult courses and how you ROSE ABOVE those challenges to succeed. But you aren't alone. Look around you. In time, the students in this class will become your English family and I, will become your tireless guide. After this year you'll be one step closer to college readiness! But what does that even mean? To me, it means that you are effective collaborators and savvy tech integrators. It means that you know how to self-regulate your learning and advocate for yourself when needed. It means that you will become scholarly writers and rigorous readers of challenging (and awesome) texts. And it definitely means that you will become critical thinkers who endlessly search for the "why" in things. #wonderlikeitmatters
Now let's talk about this "honors" business. First of all, I hope you realize that it is a privilege to be in this honors class simply because of the opportunities it will present to you. Opportunities for improved literacy skills, advanced critical thinking experiences, additional exposure to college-prep literature, and preparedness for AP Language & Composition! I will be there every step of the way to push your limits, help you set goals, and give you feedback for growth. I want you to reach your undoubtedly ambitious goals. BUT this whole "you can and will succeed" approach will only work if you are someone who is willing to meet me in the middle and work your hardest. I know I will. But will you? If that isn't something you are willing to do, you should (and I say this with a smile) reconsider your decision to be here.
Finally, positive attitude. You're going to have bad days. I'm going to have bad days. The ants who foolishly decide to crawl into my classroom are going to have a bad day as well. But none of this can control us. WE control our ATTITUDE. When we walk into the door of room 501, you and I are committing to a place where anything is possible, hard work is expected, and growth is inevitable. It's a place where you will always know what is expected of you but also a place where it wouldn't hurt to ask clarifying questions. YOU and you alone need to take ONUS of your path. (that's a cool word--look it up). My job, which I take very seriously, is to ensure that you are successful, but it will require tenacity on both of our parts. We are in this TOGETHER!
Here's to an amazing year of wonder and growth!
Sincerely,
Mrs. House
