Dear Seniors,

Dear Seniors,


It is with a heavy heart that I send this message. As I heard the news that school closed for the rest of the year, my thoughts immediately turned to you. I know that you are processing today’s news as well, but I want you to know that I think the world of you. I got so lucky to have met you. I can’t help but think how in all the turnings of life we got matched up. Prior to this year, I had only taught Freshman and Creative Writing, so some of us had already gotten to know each other in those classes. This year, I thought it would be cool to teach Seniors as well - help with Capstone, see you all dressed up at prom, hugs at graduation. My request was granted, and I find it unfathomable that if that had not happened I never would have met, or gotten to know better, some of you. With my good fortune of meeting you stated, I am not writing this as a goodbye, but as a see you soon. I plan to be your teacher forever if you will have me. I don’t know what this next phase of our teacher-student relationship will look like, but I hope that you will go all-in with me. I am going to work as hard as I can to make our remaining time together meaningful, fun and engaging as I can, and I hope that you will come along with me.


Much Love,


Paul Koch

Dear Students, I Miss You.

Hey guys, I trust that you are well and spending some time resting and taking good care of yourself and the people around you. I hope that you are safe and healthy and finding time to do things that matter to you! I have been okay, a little bored already, but okay. I have been going for a morning walk - usually about 5 miles/day with my dog Katy.

While walking I mess around with PokemonGO. I know that ya’ll think that is corny, but it keeps me moving on my walk - Gotta Catch 'em All!

In case you know… 

I have tried a few other things to try to stay busy and feel productive. I challenged myself to do the following each day, and I even made a little chart in my notebook to track my success(or struggles) each day. 

Read - I am currently reading 2 books - We are Not Yet Equal by Carol Anderson and The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert.  I try to read for at least 1 hour a day, usually breaking it into smaller portions. I am also jotting down quotes and making 2 Page Spreads of the books I am reading. This helps me learn but also gets me doing some fun artwork while I am at it. 

Write - I am keeping a journal of these interesting times - I call it my CoronaVirus Isolation Journal. There is no doubt that your children or grandchildren are going to study this interesting time; if you have found enjoyment in writing in your journal this year in class, write during this time as well. What you write, both the words and your document will be a help to you as you share with future people “what it was like in isolation” during 2020. They will want to read the words about what you were thinking, feeling - how life had changed for you rather abruptly. I just try to write the things that I am doing each day, my feelings, what I see and observe, what I read in the news - even though I have made a big effort to only take in news at certain times a day so that I don’t get overwhelmed by too much bad news. But while I was looking at the news today, I found this article very interesting. 

Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve” 

Exercise - Mostly just the walks mentioned above - but walking is both healthy and therapeutic, and it can be done while remaining a good distance from others. 

Drink at least 64oz of water - I drink a lot of water at school during the day and I have noticed that if I forget to have my water bottle with me at home, I will forget to drink water. So, I have made it a point to record in my journal how much water I am drinking each day. 

Make and Drink a Wellness Shot - Ginger, Turmeric, Lemon Juice - I learned to make this on TikTok. I had never heard of it, and I am sure that I would never have discovered it if it weren’t for concern for my immune system during this time, but it is kind of fun to make, tastes a little rough, but it does make me feel good. I am not sure if there are any real health benefits, but who knows. I’ll send you a recipe if you want it. 

Cook - I made some homemade Popeye's Spicy Chicken Sandwiches yesterday.

 Tonight I am grilling a whole Rock Fish - I am excited about it! What you think?

Well, that is what I am up to, and I mostly just wanted to check in with you.  Please know that I would love to hear from you in some capacity.

I have an Instagram account for school use and you can DM me @irockenglish, maybe I'll host some daily lives.

Also, you can try Skype or Google hangouts at paul.koch@lcps.org

Of course, you can always email me or post in classroom, I will get back to you as soon as possible.

XO,

PK

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

"We should applaud and praise the iconic moments and achievements of Google’s #TheMostSearched—but as these talented Americans entertain, enlighten, educate, and inspire us as we watch this video, we must embrace their complex fullness and revere their observations of how America remains a work in progress. They are the unflinching mirror to America’s visage, and we as a nation will not fulfill our greatest potential until we can look at all aspects of our history." from https://spokesman-recorder.com/2020/02/06/googles-black-history-ad-is-cause-for-reflection/ by Dr. Richard Reddick @DrRichReddick

Peer Revision Norms

Step 1: Writer introduces assignment to reviewer(s).

• What is the purpose of this writing?
• What do you consider the strengths of this writing?
• What are your concerns, if any, about the writing at this point?
• Describe the revision and editing that you have done on this paper.

Step 2: Choose one method agreed upon in class.

• Share Paper
• Read Aloud
• Comment - Positive and Constructive
• Discuss and take notes

Step 3: Constructively review for the key questions below, the concerns of the writer, or share any other feedback. Be positive, be helpful, be a writing teammate.


Did the writer stay focused and share original and fresh information or perspective about the topic?

Does the organizational structure enhance the ideas and make it easier to understand? Or does it overpower the ideas like too much perfume in a crowded elevator?

Would you keep reading this piece if it were longer? Much longer?

Do the words and phrases create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind?

Can you feel the words and phrases flow together as you read it aloud?

How much editing would have to be done to be ready to share with an outside source?