Welcome to Mrs. Hagen’s Writing Class You are entering the WRITING ZONE! What should you expect in Writing class?

What should you expect? Expect to write something every day. Sounds so obvious, but it’s true! Come to class prepared every day. That means that you have your binder, writer’s notebook, completed homework, and pencils and eraser. Keep up with your materials and keep your locker neat. Don’t forget your brain!

What else should you expect? Be prepared to talk. Yes, talk! You will be asked to share your ideas from the day’s lessons. Expect to do some studying outside of class when we have completed grammar lessons. Expect to do some writing outside of class if a draft of a writing is due.

Anything else? Yes! Come to class with an attitude to learn. 6 th graders don’t know everything yet and should be ready to listen to the teacher and classmates, and then share your thoughts. You’ll always learn something new! Common sense, courtesy, and respect are must-haves in Mrs. Hagen’s writing class.

What should you expect from Mrs. Hagen? You should expect a smile and greeting every day as you come into class. You should expect high expectations from me. I love a good laugh and having fun in class, but I seriously love my subject! I expect you to become much better writers throughout the year.

What else should you know? I am fair. I would not ask my students to do work that is impossible for a 6 th grader. Will the work be hard?? Perhaps, but never impossible. I expect you to follow procedures of using time between classes the right way. You may go to lockers, the restrooms, or the water fountain, but you MUST be in class on time and not roaming in the halls.

Anything else about procedures? Of course! Line up at the classroom door quietly before entering. Mrs. Hagen will invite you in after the last class has left. Have your notebook and pencil ready to work without being told. Please don’t wait for the teacher to ask you to do this. Be a self- starter! Write your homework assignment in your planner. Look for your Write Into The Day prompt or other Bellringer activity. Participate in every class activity. Ask questions if you don’t understand something, but listen to others’ questions.

What will we work on 1 st 9 Weeks? The first quarter is all about personal narratives and letter writing. General classes will read several people’s stories, and then you will write your own stories (try some ideas that you haven’t done before too). Grammar study will begin with parts of speech. GT classes will read and write using the Junior Great Books. Poetry will slip in often too.

What about Mrs. Hagen? I love school!! I love my students!! And I love teaching students how to write and play with words in new ways. For the past 18 years, I have been teaching reading and writing to middle school students at Lakeside Middle and Southwood. I earned my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Go Vols!! Then I earned my Master’s degree from Clemson University. Go Tigers!!

And, what else? My husband and I have a daughter, Katie, who lives in Minneapolis and works for Target. In my spare time, I love to play with my 2 dogs, Max and Emma. My yard is pretty because I spend time planting and trimming everything in it. I love to read, do word puzzles, and crafting. I also love to cook and sew. Check out the quilt in the front hall – I put it together after the first 6 th grade class made all of the blocks!

Finally... You are going to have a great experience at Southwood Academy of the Arts. Work hard. Be prepared for all classes everyday. Come ready to learn everyday. Make new friends. Be a good friend. And, before you know it, the year will have zoomed by!