Letter to Students and Parents Regarding Coronavirus and ELA

Letter Re: Coronavirus and Virtual ELA Class Monday March 16, 2020   

Dear 8th Grade Students and Families,

As you know, we as a community, a nation, and a world are experiencing an unprecedented crisis. Nonetheless, be assured that you are not alone and we, your school community, are here to support your academic, intellectual, emotional, and social needs.

First and foremost, I hope you and your families are healthy and safe and are following protocols such as social distancing to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Here is a link to the DOE’s website and important updates and precautions:
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/coronavirus-update.

As of now, here is the current schedule for schools:

• Tuesday, March 17: Thursday, March 19: All staff reports. Teachers and principals participate in professional development on remote learning. 
• Thursday, March 19-Friday, March 20: Students who need it will be able to begin process of picking up the technology necessary for remote learning. More guidance to families will be sent this week. 
• Monday, March 23: Remote learning launches, with additional guidance provided throughout the week of the 23. 
• Effective Monday, March 23, Regional Enrichment Centers will be available for the children of first responders, healthcare workers, and our most vulnerable populations, with more details to follow. Additionally, remote learning will go into effect for grades K-12. DOE will support schools at all levels of readiness to deliver remote learning, and more information will be provided to families about online platforms.

Regarding our beloved ELA class, I will continue to challenge and enrich, shape and mold your malleable minds (underline the alliteration in the sentence ;-), from the safe confines of my own home. Remember, there will be many glitches and malfunctions along the way, many uncertainties - but that is natural. More importantly, this will be a fun academic adventure, as long as we all work hard and push through difficulties. Any change and difficulty allows opportunity to better ourselves and to grow in positive ways.


YOUR WORK FOR A WEEK:

Tuesday March 17

• Homework from last week due today:
• Complete and submit SLC reflection letters to us on Google Classroom and have parents email us to confirm (GC).
• Show your parents the letter regarding the ELA test and have it signed then send us a picture of the signed letter or just have parents email us. However, we do not know what is going to happen with the ELA test, but we will prepare for it regardless. 
• Read and annotate the poem and song for the compare and contrast essay (handout given to you on Friday; also available on GC). 

Writing Prompts (first write in a Google Doc; then copy and paste as plain text into blogger.com; in your post, title it Writing Prompt #1):

1. Write a list of questions and answers. What are your big questions about life and the world at the moment? You could start off with What if.. Then… or write 2 columns: question in the left column and answers in the right.
2. What song or movie helps you through difficult times? Write about 1 or 2 of them. Explain and give examples.
3. Write a rant - a written form of speaking or shouting at length about something you have strong feelings for (usually anger or frustration).
4. Write your own version of Imagine by John Lennon. What does your ideal world look like?
5. Write a letter to someone about your life. This could be to a friend, family member, or your future self.

Wednesday, March 18

• Read the Test Prep Packet on GC, pp. 3-6. Then, write an outline of the compare and contrast essay. Add to Google Classroom assignment. Due by 4pm Wednesday, March 18.
• Independent Reading: Read at least 30 minutes a day; this includes your classwork, Project REAL, and homework. Maintain your reading log.

Thursday, March 19

• Independent Reading: Read at least 30 minutes a day. Maintain your reading log.

Friday, March 20

• Independent Reading: Read at least 30 minutes a day. Maintain your reading log.
• Write 2 annotations on any signpost. The annotations should include: 1. Evidence (Quotation + citation), and 2. Elaboration - 2-3 sentences. This is due on Fridays on Google Classroom. 
• Blog Post Assignment #1 - due today: Choose any prompt from the following list; write 1 page, double-spaced. These are meant to be creative and personal writing reflections. The criteria are: 1. Write authentically and meaningfully; choose a focus you care about.  2. Be creative and intentional about the structure. You can write poetry or prose (paragraph format). 3. Be detailed and specific. 4. Write clearly and correctly.

Monday, March 23

• Independent Reading: Read at least 30 minutes a day. Maintain your reading log.
• Mindful Monday - answer the Google Question in Google Classroom; then read and respectfully and compassionately respond to one another’s answers

Tuesday, March 24

Independent Reading: Read at least 30 minutes a day. Maintain your reading log.

Keep in touch. Let me know how you are doing. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me.

May the Force Be With You, and May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favor.

Ms. Galang, dgalang@k051.org