"The Write Stuff"

The Write Stuff is your inside look at the world of our English classroom — part literary spotlight, part real-life connection, and always a little witty. Each week, you’ll find fresh takes on what we’re reading, writing, and debating, plus tips to sharpen your skills and fuel your creativity. Expect a mix of grammar gems, book buzz, thought-provoking quotes, and standout student work. It’s where words matter, ideas grow, and we keep our writing (and thinking) in top shape.

Welcome to Second Semester: Grit, Growth, and Doing Hard Things

January 5, 2026 - Welcome back and happy new year.

Second semester is a reset. It’s a chance to look honestly at where we are, where we’ve been, and where we need to go next.

Let’s talk about something important: productive struggle.

Lately, many students are struggling with tasks that feel simple: following directions, staying focused, rereading instructions, problem-solving without immediately asking for help, or pushing through confusion. That struggle can feel frustrating, uncomfortable, or even overwhelming.

But here’s the truth: struggle is not failure. Struggle is where learning actually happens.

What Is Productive Struggle?

Productive struggle means:

Trying before giving up
Reading directions more than once
Sitting with confusion instead of escaping it
Making mistakes and fixing them
Thinking instead of immediately Googling
Asking better questions instead of quicker ones

This kind of struggle builds grit, the ability to persevere when things aren’t easy or instant. And grit matters far beyond this classroom.

Why This Matters

In the real world, no one:

Walks you through every step
Solves problems for you immediately
Accepts “I don’t get it” as the final answer
Grades you for effort alone

Success, whether in college, a job, or life, comes from persistence, problem-solving, and resilience. Those skills are learned, practiced, and strengthened through struggle.

What You Can Expect This Semester

This semester, I will:

Expect students to try first
Encourage independence and critical thinking
Give time to wrestle with challenging tasks
Support students who are genuinely stuck
Push back when giving up becomes a habit

I won’t remove challenges just because they’re uncomfortable, but I will help students learn how to face them.

What I Ask of Students

Come to class ready to:

Engage—even when it’s hard
Stay focused—even when it’s boring
Ask thoughtful questions
Accept feedback
Take responsibility for your learning

You don’t have to be perfect. You do have to be willing.

Final Thought

Second semester is not about being smarter.
It’s about being stronger, mentally, academically, and emotionally.

Growth doesn’t come from easy wins. It comes from effort, patience, and pushing through discomfort.

Let’s lean into the struggle...together.

Finals Week: What You Need to Know

December 12, 2025 - It’s officially that time of year...Finals Week is here! We’re wrapping up the semester, and it’s time to show what you’ve learned. Here’s the breakdown for both juniors and seniors:

For Juniors

You’ll take your Book Club Test Monday through Wednesday.
After that, any student with a C or lower — or students with an A or B but too many absences — will be required to take the final exam on Thursday or Friday.
Please see the Finals Schedule for your exact testing time and day.

For Seniors

If you have a C or below, or an A or B but too many absences, you are required to take the final exam as well.

Reminders

If you are leaving early, it is your responsibility to arrange to take the final before you leave. Failure to do so will result in a zero for the final exam.
Use your notes, previous assignments, and class discussions to prepare.
Be on time, bring what you need, and give your best effort.

Finals are your chance to prove what you’ve learned — and finish the semester strong. Don’t let missing work or poor planning drag your grade down now.

Why Reading Still Matters: The Real-World Power of Picking Up a Book

November 18, 2025 If you’ve spent any time in an English classroom, you’ve probably heard it all:

“Why do we have to read this?”
“I’m not going to need this in the real world!”
“Can’t I just watch the movie?”

As teachers, we smile, we nod, and we try our best not to launch into a 40-minute TED Talk. But here’s the truth we wish every student knew: reading is one of the most powerful real-world skills they’ll ever develop and it reaches far beyond the walls of our classrooms. Whether they’re flipping through a novel, scrolling an article, or interpreting a text message, students read constantly. And the stronger those reading muscles grow, the stronger they become in every corner of their lives.

Reading Builds Critical Thinkers

Reading forces the mind to work. When students read, especially complex texts, they practice:

Identifying main ideas
Detecting tone, bias, and perspective
Following cause-and-effect relationships
Questioning an author’s purpose
Making informed decisions based on evidence

These are not “school skills.” These are life skills. They help students evaluate news, understand contracts, navigate college coursework, and spot misinformation in a digital world overflowing with it.

Reading Strengthens Communication

People who read regularly become better communicators. It isn't magic, it’s modeling. Reading exposes students to:

Clear sentence structures
Varied vocabulary
Effective persuasion
Emotional nuance
Dialogue and real human conflict

When students read, they slowly absorb the craft of writing and speaking. This leads to stronger essays, better conversation skills, and more confident job interviews. Employers consistently rank communication as the #1 most valued workplace skill. Reading is how we build it.

Reading Fosters Empathy and Connection

Literature lets us see the world through someone else’s eyes, sometimes someone wildly different from ourselves. Books help students:

Understand people with different background
Recognize complexity within relationships
Question assumptions
Build emotional intelligence

In a world where division is easy, reading creates the opposite: connection.

Reading Trains the Brain for Real-World Challenges

Strong readers excel at more than English class. Research consistently shows that readers develop:

Longer attention spans
Greater resilience during difficult tasks
Improved memory
Better focus amid distractions
Stronger problem-solving abilities

Reading is mental weightlifting. The more students practice, the stronger their cognitive “muscles” become, supporting success in math, science, career training, and everything beyond.

Reading Opens Doors to Opportunity

From filling out a job application to understanding workplace policies, reading is woven into every adult responsibility. Students who read confidently are more likely to:

Perform well on standardized tests
Succeed in college
Navigate contracts and financial documents
Advocate for themselves
Understand their rights
Thrive in the workforce

Simply put: readers have more choices.

Reading Offers a Healthy Escape

Life is loud. Expectations are high. Students carry a lot of stress.

Books give them:

A safe break from reality
A chance to breathe
A place to imagine, explore, or laugh
Time away from screen

Reading is one of the few activities that relaxes the mind while strengthening it.

So Why Read? Because It Matters.

Reading isn’t a punishment. It’s a passport, one that transports students into new worlds while preparing them for the challenges of their own.

Whether they’re diving into a memoir, analyzing a poem, or reading a news article for class, your students are building a toolkit they’ll rely on for the rest of their lives.

So the next time someone asks, “When am I ever going to use this?” you can smile and answer: Every day, for the rest of your life.

Updated English Policies

November 10, 2025
Updated Policy for English

Book Club Policy Update:

Book club is due Wednesday and Wednesday is the day to do the assignment - if not completed on Wednesday, it will be accepted prior to discussion Thursday for late points, otherwise it’s a zero - technically you have a week to do the assignment
If found cheating 2x on book club, you will receive zeros for the rest of the club and an alternate assignment will be given - you will still be responsible for reading and the final test
No job = zero for assignment and discussion. You will be given an alternate assignment for Thursday
Final tests will be given on book club - it will be broken down into parts. No bathroom, locker, emergency. If you leave, your test will be shredded and a new test created for you. If you start a section, you will finish before leaving class. If you miss the start of test day, you will be given an alternate test from your peers

Final Policy Update:

Anyone with a C or below will be required to take the final, subject to change to all

In Class Writing / Working Policy Update:

All major writing assignments will be done in class and collected upon exit
All online activity must be done on a school computer with working Light Speed or no computer access will be granted.
Working in the hall is no longer allowed. If your peers are distracting you, please let Mrs Hinkle know immediately

Major Grades Matter — Here’s Why

October 29, 2025 - We’ve officially hit the point in the semester where major grades start to make an impact and for good reason. Major grades make up 60% of your overall grade, meaning they carry significant weight. Recently, juniors turned in (or in some cases, did not turn in) their essays, and many of you are now seeing how one assignment can drastically affect your average.

Here’s the truth: when you don’t turn something in, even after the one-week late window, the grade becomes a zero. And zeros don’t whisper; they shout. It’s not a teacher’s punishment, it’s a reflection of missing evidence of your learning.

Every student has opportunities to succeed. You’re given class time to work. You have access to notes, feedback, and plenty of chances to ask questions throughout the writing process. These are tools, not suggestions. Using them, consistently, is the difference between watching your grade drop and watching your effort pay off.

How to Stay on Track for Major Grades

Utilize class time. That’s your built-in work time, period, use it wisely.
Ask questions early and often. Confused? Unsure where to start? Ask before it’s too late. The day that the essay is due, is not the day to ask questions.
Use your notes and resources. Everything we do in class connects to your major assignments.
Watch the due dates. Late work closes after one week. Don’t let the window close on your grade.

Major grades are designed to show your growth, your understanding, and your ability to apply what you’ve learned. They’re not meant to scare you — they’re meant to push you. Take ownership, use the time you’re given, and stay proactive.

Because the truth is simple: when you put in the work, your grades will show it.

The Homework Reality Check

October 20, 2025 - Let’s be real...homework isn’t the “thing” it used to be. Gone are the days when students came home with stacks of worksheets and nightly assignments. But that doesn’t mean homework has disappeared. In truth, homework still exists… if you put yourself in that position.

Here’s the deal: as a general rule, I don’t assign regular homework in my general education English courses. You’re given class time to complete your work, plenty of it. I believe your evenings should be for rest, family, sports, jobs, and recharging. However, if you choose not to use your class time wisely, that’s when homework appears. If you’re “saving it for later to do at home,” you’re not earning your Active Learner Participation points. Class time is your opportunity to focus, ask questions, and get work done, not socialize or wander. When that time is wasted, the work still has to happen, and that means it becomes homework.

Tips for Staying Focused and On Track

Set small goals. Break assignments into manageable chunks and complete one piece at a time.
Ask for help early. Don’t wait until the deadline to speak up. I’m here to help if you ask.
Stay organized. Keep your notebook updated and your materials in one place.
Use your time wisely. The minutes in class are precious...once they’re gone, you can’t get them back.

A Note to Parents - Thank you for partnering with me in supporting your student’s success. Please help encourage your child to complete their work during the class time provided. Remind them to check mrshinkle.com for daily plans and updates if they’re absent, and to grab any missing materials from the file folder by the door when they return. With consistency and communication, we can keep students on track and confident in their learning.

Homework isn’t a punishment, it’s often a choice. Let’s make smart choices together and keep the focus where it belongs: on learning, growth, and progress.

"Why Am I Failing?" Lets Talk About It...

September 21, 2025. - Every year, I hear this question: “Why am I failing?” The answer is almost always the same, assignments matter, and they need to get done. In this class, most weeks you’re given class time to work, which is a gift. But if that time is spent catching up with friends instead of completing assignments, the work doesn’t magically disappear...it still needs to be finished.

Another important reminder: due dates count. Assignments are accepted late for one week only. After that, it becomes a zero in the gradebook. Zeros pile up fast, and they can take down a grade much quicker than most students realize. Being responsible means keeping track of deadlines and holding yourself accountable.

And remember, you have resources! If you’re absent, check mrshinkle.com for her PlanBook so you don’t fall behind. Grab extra copies of materials from the file folder by the door. Stay organized, use your time wisely, and take advantage of the support that’s built into this class.

Success isn’t about perfection — it’s about responsibility, effort, and follow-through. You have what it takes to succeed, but the choice to put in the work is yours.

Staying on Track: Weekly & Semester Work

September 8, 2025 - We’re officially in the rhythm of the school year! Regular weekly assignments are now underway, and semester projects have been introduced for Seniors. This is where steady effort and organization really pay off. Students, remember: the more consistently you stay on top of your work, the less overwhelming it will feel later.

Parents and students — please check mrshinkle.com regularly for important updates, reminders, and class resources. Grades and progress can always be monitored through Powerschool, so make it a habit to check in often.

Let’s dig deep, keep the momentum going, and make sure that this semester reflects our best effort. We’re off to a strong start — now let’s keep building on it!

Until next time, work hard, read harder, and write like you mean it.

Week One: Rocking, Rolling, and Ready

August 29, 2025 - We did it — the first full week of school is officially in the books! If the start of the year feels like shaking off the rust, consider us polished and ready to roll. We’ve already refreshed ourselves on the essentials of English — from sharpening our writing tools to revisiting the reading skills that will carry us through the semester. Think of it as stretching before the marathon: the warm-up is over, and now it’s time to put one foot in front of the other and go the distance.

A few reminders as we dive deeper: every student needs to come to class prepared with a notebook. This is your space to capture ideas, take notes, and keep track of the sparks of brilliance that will pop up along the way. You’ll also want a personal book with you every day. Reading regularly isn’t just an assignment; it’s a habit that fuels your imagination, strengthens your vocabulary, and gives your brain the workout it deserves.

The energy so far has been fantastic. You’ve jumped right in with curiosity, resilience, and more than a few great questions. That’s the momentum we’ll need to keep as we start tackling our curriculum head-on. Some days will stretch you, some days will surprise you, and some days may test your patience — but every single day will give you the chance to grow.

So here’s to a strong first week, and to all the weeks ahead. If we can hit the ground running this well, imagine how far we’ll go by December. Spoiler alert: we’re just getting started.

Welcome Back!

August 18, 2025 - Welcome to a brand-new school year and the very first edition of The Write Stuff! Whether you’ve been counting down the days to get back into the classroom (I know, there are at least two of you) or you’re here because the law says you have to be, I’m glad you’re here. English might be your favorite subject… or it might be the thing you’ve been dreading since June. Either way, this class will be exactly what you make of it.

Here’s the deal: we’re going to work hard this year. You’ll read things that challenge you, write things that stretch you, and learn skills you’ll use long after you’ve turned in your last essay. Some days will feel easy, some will feel like climbing a hill with bricks in your backpack — but every day, I expect you to show up ready to try your best. Effort matters. Attitude matters. You matter.

So buckle up, bring your brain (and maybe an energy drink), and get ready for a year of thinking, reading, and writing like never before.

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