Agenda:

Your child will be bringing home his or her agenda each day.  Please be sure to initial it and send it back to school each day.  Students will be writing assignments in the agenda each day.  They will highlight homework.  Students who have their agendas signed each day will earn a small prize at the end of the week.

 

Homework:

I encourage daily reading, going over spelling lists, and working on math facts.  Math homework will be assigned at least once a week.  Occasionally we will have projects that will require work at home.  I will strongly encourage students to complete class assignments in class; however, if  daily work has not been completed they will be asked to complete it at home and return it to me first thing the next school day.  Students will have Reading homework assigned for the first six weeks of school.

 

Late Work:

Assignments are due by 8:40a.m.  Anything turned in after that is considered late and will receive a 10% deduction on the final grade.  Homework is a very important part of your child’s education.  Checking the agenda regularly and encouraging your child to complete assignments will help him or her keep on track!

 

Daily Take Home Folders:

Look for a take home folder to come home each day.  Inside you will find a pocket with your child’s completed and checked daily work, graded tests, and notes from school.  You will also find a pocket for homework assignments or other papers that need to be completed and sent back to school.

 

Grades:

Students will continue to earn letter grades this year. Most test grades that are below a 70% (C-) can be corrected.  I will average the corrected grade and the original grade to obtain the final grade.  Tests cannot be corrected for a higher grade.  Midterm grade checks are sent home for the first quarter.  Midterms for the other three quarters are only sent home if a student has a C or below grade in a subject.

 

Book Reports:

Students will be encouraged to read a variety of books this year.  Students will learn how to write short and long book reports and will also learn to do oral book reports.  Usually book report assignments are given two to three weeks in advance so students can complete their reading.  Books must be completely read before the due date to get full credit on the report.  Most book reports will be written in class.

 

Spelling:

The spelling list will be given out on Monday.  Occasionally that day will be different because of shortened weeks.  On the first day of the new spelling lesson the students will take an ungraded pretest that I call First Look.  That means that your child will be spelling them as he or she hears the word.  We will then go over the words together in class and students will rewrite the words that they missed.  This allows students to focus on the words they don’t know.  The post test will be on Friday, or four school days after the pretest.  The list will consist of 20 words:  pattern words, high-frequency words, and vocabulary words.  I will add two challenge words.

 

Discipline:

I expect students to follow the classroom rules that are posted in the front of our classroom (see attached sheet).  I use a card system which is also explained on the attached sheet.  Students will be asked to change their card when their behavior is no longer appropriate for the classroom.  I will try to let you know about minor problems through the agenda.  I will call about any problems that are not solved at school.

 

Water Bottles/Snacks:

I  will allow students to bring water bottles to school.  They must have a lid and they must not leak!   I also allow students to bring snacks to school to share with the other students or they may just bring their own snack.  I would prefer for snacks to be healthy: fruit,  veggies, crackers.  Let’s save the cookies, candy, or chips for special occasions!

 

Math:

Please work with your student on their multiplication facts to 12.  We will be multiplying all year long.  It is crucial that they know these facts.

 

 

 

Miscellaneous:

Our school hours are 8:30a.m. to 3:30p.m. Any student not in their seat and ready to work at 8:30a.m. is considered tardy. Our daily lunch time is from 11:30a.m. to 11:55a.m.  Monday and Thursday our specials are PE and Spanish.  Tuesday and Friday our specials are Art and Music.  Wednesday we have Chapel and Library.   I may occasionally need help with making copies. Fill out the enclosed form if you would be available to help.  I would like to learn more about your child.  Please take a few minutes to fill out the attached “Student Information” sheet and return it as soon as possible.  Also, please sign up if you can drive on any field trips or if you can help with any class parties.