Outside the Classroom and Homework

Upcoming Events and Reminders :

First assembly of the year is the morning of Friday, Sept. 15th. We are combining our Welcome Back assembly with some extra energy for Terry Fox information and fundraising. The Terry Fox Run/ Walk at SilverCreek is Friday Sept. 29th in the block after lunch (1:30 - 3 pm). We will have a community warm up before we venture forth to continue what Terry started many years ago. Fingers are crossed for some decent walking weather.

Homework

Especially as we approach hockey season (does it ever really stop?) many students have less and less time for work outside school time. They're busy, they get tired, they get sick and a cycle of unwellness makes it's way through the classroom. I understand this, so I don't give out a lot of home work. However, each and every student is expected to read for at least 20 minutes a day. Whether it is before lights out in bed, or as soon as they get home from school, time should be set aside for quiet reading time, please - weekends included. They should have a library book that they can take home for the weekends and weeknights, but I would also like them to have a book here in the class, for when we have independent reading time during the day.

Dreambox is available to everyone, anytime of the day or night. I know there can be issues with logging in sometimes, but once Dreambox gets through their beginning organizational crush, things should sort themselves out and everyone should be able to get on at any time. 4 times a week is recommended, but the more, the merrier. I will try to get one period in per week at school. Dance Mat typing is recommended practice, or

As we approach the end of a unit, I will let students know if, or when there will be a quiz on what we have learned. They are free to take their duotangs home to study with, but they have to look after it, as this will contain most of the work for that unit. Very soon everyone will get a math notebook to work with - the same rule will apply. Take it home at your own peril, as a lot of our workings and notes will be there for our review. Once that's gone, topics and questions will be more difficult to study for. I usually give a review sheet with questions similar to what they will see on a test. I rarely put any surprises in a quiz - I want to see what they know and can they apply that knowledge to explain their answers..