Persuasive Essays

Over the next several weeks, students will be working on persuasive essays. Here's a link to a Persuasive Essay Packet we'll use to guide us through the process of writing a persuasive essay. When students have gone through the writing process and finalized their essays, they'll select the best essays to be published in the Capital City Weekly, so this is an opportunity to reach a broader audience and share ideas. Here are some links to essays published by former Dryden students: one about study halls, one about teaching gun safety in schools, one about building a second ice-hockey rink in the valley, and one about bringing laptops into the classroom.
I'm looking forward to the writing and discussions to come!

Welcome Back & What's Ahead in Language Arts

In language arts classes, we're continuing our exploration of the media this week and next, looking closely at some aspect of the media, both through the lens of our personal use and through research about that media source. We'll be discussing research strategies and writing about our discoveries. I've enjoyed talking to students about different aspects of the media, and I', looking forward to reading the essays that come of this work.

Another fun event we have coming up this month is our team trip to Eaglecrest! This is a great opportunity for team building, exploring our amazing home, and learning something new outside the classroom. The stories and memories will long outlast the winter. Permission forms will go home this week, rental fittings will take place at school next week, and we'll be going to Eaglecrest the following Thursday and Friday: January 23rd and 24th.

Also, the annual creative writing contest hosted by the Anchorage Daily News is still open. Check out the details HERE!

I'm looking forward to another great semester of learning!