Journal Day

Summer is coming soon (only 27 more school days) and many of you are taking little vacations mentally. Since many of you are already thinking about summer, today you are going to write about your perfect summer day. What is the weather like? What would you do? Where would you go? What kinds of things would you eat or drink? How would you make your day perfect?

Or


Write a short, creative story using a waterfall, a wagon, a wax museum, a wheel, a wasp, and a witch.


Or


Write on a topic of your choice.


(Journals MUST meet all page minimums!)

Academic Content Standards:
15.1.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization.

Grammar Practice

Mr. Keefer's class only!

Today we will be practicing grammar with review games to try and get everyone back in writing mode.

Click each link when instructed to continue to the practice activity.

2000 Most Common Words

Ends in -ious

Homophone Pairs

Starts with Ob-

Words that start with Vi-

Parts of Speech

_ in the __ phrases

Academic Content Standards:
15.1.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization.

Journal Day

Today is the start of a long weekend. What are your plans for this extended break? Taking any major trips? Are there any special activities that you participate in over the holiday? Is there anything that you are really looking forward to?

Or


Write a short, creative story using a vaccine, a violin, a video tape, a vigilante, a villan, and a vulture.


Or


Write on a topic of your choice.


(Journals MUST meet all page minimums!)

Academic Content Standards:
15.1.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization.

Thank You Letters

What are follow-up and thank you letters?

A follow-up letter is a document that applicants send to employers to make sure the company has received the applicant’s résumé and cover letter or application. A thank you letter is a document that applicants send to employers to thank the employer for her time in reviewing a résumé or cover letter. Applicants also send thank you letters after conducting an interview with an employer.

Why do I need to do a follow-up or thank you letter?

You should send a follow-up letter if you have not heard from an employer for two weeks after submitting your résumé and cover letter. Y
ou should send a thank you letter if you have interviewed for a job.

How should I follow up on my résumé and cover letter?

You should allow ten days before calling or emailing the employee about your résumé and cover letter. When you contact the employer, remember that they are probably busy. Your résumé and cover letter are very important to you, but the employer is probably doing her job as well as reviewing other cover letters and résumés. Try to be patient. However, it is perfectly acceptable to ask about your job application documents ten days after submission. Also remember that the goal of your résumé and cover letter is to get an interview for the job opening.

When you follow up on your cover letter and résumé, first ask whether or not the employer has received your documents. If the employer received the documents, ask if she has had time to review them. If so, ask if she is setting up interviews yet. If the employer has not received your résumé and cover letter in the past ten days, offer to resend the documents and double check the employer’s mailing address and contact person. You should also offer to drop off your résumé and cover letter in person. Remember to dress professionally if the company expects it.

How should I follow up on my interview?

You should send a thank you letter after you interview for a job. Sending a thank you letter is professional, and it shows you are still interested in the job. A thank you letter also show that you appreciate the employer taking the time to meet and speak with you. Lastly, a thank you letter reminds the employer about you.

Letter Examples

EXAMPLE 1:

Follow-up Letter (Block Format)


June 19, 2009
Karl M. Jones
900 N. 7th St. Apt. 6
Lafayette, IN 47904
765-123-4567
kmjones123@gmail.com

Alex Carson Manager,
A & D Industries
1437 State Route 26
Lafayette, IN 47904

Dear Alex Carson:

Two weeks ago, I submitted a résumé and cover letter in response to your job ad for the welder apprentice position (#46). I am following up to make sure you received these documents. I am still very interested in interviewing for the job if you have not yet hired someone.

I am looking forward to meeting with you to discuss the welder apprentice position and how I can help A & D Industries. I feel that my years of welding experience will allow me to be a valuable member of your team. If you have not received my résumé and cover letter, I would be happy to resubmit them or drop them off in person.

If you have any questions, please call me at 765-123-4567. You may also email me at kmjones@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

/signed/

Karl M. Jones

EXAMPLE 2:

-Follow-up Letter after Submitting Resume or Application:
-Use block format


Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email

Date

Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

I submitted a resume earlier this month for the food server at Perkins.

I am very interested in working at Perkins and I believe my skills, especially my food prep class experience at the Berwick High School, would be good prepapration for this position.

If necessary, I would be glad to resend my resume or to provide any further information you might need regarding my candidacy. I can be reached at (555)555-5555 or jdoe@abcd.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Signature

Typed Name


EXAMPLE 3:
Follow-up (Thank You) Letter After Interview:
Use block format:

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email

Date

Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

It was very enjoyable to speak with you about the assistant position at Giant. The job, as you presented it, seems to be a very good match for my skills and interests.

In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the position strong writing skills, assertiveness and the ability to encourage others to work cooperatively with the department. My (sports, club, school, etc.) background will help me to work well with the other employees and to do my work responsibly and efficiently.

I appreciate the time you took to interview me. I am very interested in working for you and look forward to hearing from you about this position.

Sincerely,

Your Signature

Your Typed Name


Academic Content Standards:
1.5.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization.

Journal Day

Clint Eastwood once said, “Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power.”


Or


Write a short, creative story using an umbrella, a ukulele, an underground lair, uranium, underwear, and a unicorn.


Or


Write on a topic of your choice.


(Journals MUST meet all page minimums!)

Academic Content Standards:
15.1.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization.

Autobiography

Goal: Students will create a well developed autobiographical essay focusing primarily on their education and not only how it has shaped their past, but will influence their futures as well.


Today we will begin constructing an autobiographical essay. This essay will focus primarily on education. We will be using a five paragraph structure for this essay. The following is the formatting that you should use for each paragraph:


Paragraph 1: Introduction- Describe who you are and how the three elements that will follow have influenced your life thus far.

Paragraph 2: Describe your life and background, explaining how your education has helped shape who you are.

Paragraph 3: Explain how your education is helping to build your future in general.

Paragraph 4: What are your hopes and dreams for the future? How does your education play into those hopes and dreams?

Paragraph 5: Conclusion- Tie all of your ideas together. How has your life and schooling up to this point helped to contribute towards your goals for the future? What specific steps do you still need to take in order to accomplish your goals?

You cannot use 2nd person in this essay.
You cannot use contractions in this essay.
Be sure to keep an eye open for fragments and run on sentences.
Remember to think carefully before using any of the words we have covered in our confused homophones lessons.

Academic Content Standards:
1.5.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization
1.5.11D- Write with a command of the stylistic aspects of composition

Journal Day

Since we have spent so much time talking about careers, today’s journal is going to require you to use a little bit of that knowledge. In your journals, write about what qualities you feel would be most important to a potential employer regardless what career you would be applying for. In other words, what are the perfect qualities for EVERY employee to have in EVERY job? Why did you chose these qualities? What makes them so important? Do you possess them, or are they qualities you are going to need to work on?

Or

Write a short, creative story using a tailor, a tattoo, a tepee, a tight-rope, a tow truck, and a trampoline.

Or


Write on a topic of your choice.


(Journals MUST meet all page minimums!)

Academic Content Standards:
15.1.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization.

Cover Letters

Writing a Cover Letter You have worked very hard and have written an excellent resume. However, without a cover letter, a resume will not make the impression that it could. According to a CareerBuilder.com survey, 66 percent of hiring managers prefer a good cover letter attached to a resume. This is your first chance to stand out in the crowd of applicants. Your cover letter can tell the hiring manager or dean of admissions that you are qualified for the job or college and a serious candidate. Perhaps more important is the opportunity to show your personality through your letter. For this reason, some employers throw out resumes that do not have cover letters. By not writing a cover letter, you are telling a possible employer or school that you have not taken the time and energy to present yourself in the best possible light. Here are some things to remember as you write your cover letter: It’s your cover letter, not your memoir Keep the cover letter to a few organized paragraphs that fit on one page.


Be yourself Being yourself doesn’t mean being your party self. It means putting a little personality into your writing, but not a string of jokes or casual, over-familiar, or slang expressions. Use your own words and ideas, not just a form letter or template with the contact information changed!


Let the resume speak for itself Hiring managers read the cover letter before they (hopefully) flip the page to look at the resume, so don’t just repeat your resume information. Discuss a specific achievement or experience that shows your qualifications for the job. The cover letter and resume combined give you their attention for only two pages, so don’t waste it repeating yourself.

Know your audience If your teacher greeted you each morning by saying, “Hello, student,” you’d be irked she didn’t know your name. Cover letters beginning “Dear Sir or Madam” and “To Whom It May Concern” do not make good impressions. If the job posting does not specify who will receive the applications, find out. Look online or call the company’s main line or university or college to ask for the name of the corporate recruiter or hiring manager or director of admissions. Once you find out, use a formal title such as Mr., Ms. or Mrs. It adds a personal but professional touch that will be appreciated.


Why you want this job/admission to this college Sure, a paycheck or diploma would be nice, but hopefully you want this job/college for another reason. The university’s or company’s history, accomplishments, reputation and culture probably played a role in your decision to apply. Let the hiring manager/director of admissions know. It tells him or her that you’ve done your homework and are serious about being a member of the business or college team.


Your manners Even though job hunts are increasingly taking place online, you still need to adhere to business etiquette. As you would on any professional correspondence, include your full contact information as well as the hiring manager’s name and company address or university’s director of admissions name and address.


Take your time You already know how important a cover letter is, so don’t rush through it. Treat it with the same care you used for your resume. Check your facts. Write several drafts, revise it and look it over again. Let your first impression be a good one.

Tips and examples of cover letters

Who needs a cover letter?

Tips for writing cover letters (with examples)

Cover letter examples

HOW TO ADDRESS AN ENVELOPE


Academic Content Standards:

1.5.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization.

Journal Day

Sylvester Stallone once said, “I believe there's an inner power that makes winners or losers. And the winners are the ones who really listen to the truth of their hearts.” What does this quote mean to you? How much truth is there to it? How can you apply it to your life? Where have you seen this theme before?


Or

Write a short, creative story using a shovel, a snake, a scepter, a steamboat, a shadow, a shrub, and Sherwood Forest.

Or


Write on a topic of your choice.


(Journals MUST meet all page minimums!)

Academic Content Standards:
15.1.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization.