Parents
Q: “How can I best support my child's learning in your class?"
A: "In middle school, students learn from challenges and failures, so it is important to support your child by helping him or her navigate new demands in 6th grade and take on responsibility for learning. Sixth grade is an excellent year for students to develop new organizational and communication skills, figuring out strategies that work best for them to use their time efficiently and speak directly with teachers when they have questions or need help. Checking Skyward together and discussing current assignments can help your child stay on top of his or her work. When students can explain concepts and content to parents, they show their mastery.
"Also, students who arrive at school on time, and do not have many absences tend to maintain their organization and grades more easily. If your child does need to miss school, you can support him or her in the catching-up period. Help your child learn to be responsible, asking each teacher for information about missed assignments. Check Skyward regularly. If you don’t have access to Skyward, please call or email TVM’s main office. Or, you can use your child’s login information. Please establish a regular time for your child to read, at least twenty to thirty minutes each day. Reading is fundamental to academic success. ‘Books before screens’ might make a helpful motto to follow. Finally, you might help your child maintain a pattern of exercising, eating, and sleeping that will boost his or her brain power in school."
Question: "What is your grading policy?”
A: “Many students find the jump to sixth grade challenging initially; your child may discover that he or she has to work harder this year to earn desired grades. Students who fall behind due to absences or poor use of class time often end up feeling overwhelmed. Students need to make up their work in the time given, one day for every excused absence, plus one bonus day. Other than for excused absences or special circumstances, late assignments are not accepted past one week after the due date; zeroes hurt grades significantly, especially at the start of each semester. Assignments not turned in will be marked as 'missing' on Skyward and will be awarded zero points. Students have ONE WEEK only to submit missing assignments. If students attempt all of any assignment but score below 50%, they will receive 50% as a grade. When turning in late work through Google Classroom, or when requesting a revised writing assignment grade, students need to email me, using a polite letter format and correct mechanics. Help your child understand that all writing needs to be in complete sentences, using correct punctuation and capitalization."
Q: “Should my child be studying spelling words for ELA class?”
A: “No. Students are expected to know how to spell (and use correctly) commonly-used words. Instead of spelling quizzes, students will learn vocabulary words that are found throughout the curriculum. Students will access and study on Quizlet. Every two weeks, students will be tested on the words. The ideal way for students to boost their vocabulary is to read, read, and read, so please encourage your child to read each day for twenty to thirty minutes. Students who struggle with spelling may utilize Spell Check programs or ask a parent to help identify incorrectly spelled words as part of a final polishing of writing.”
Q: “What is your snack policy in class?”
A: “In 6th grade, we do not have snack time during class. We encourage students to carry reusable water bottles, though they also have access to the water fountain. Only pure water should be in their bottles. Please note, during the pandemic, students will not be permitted to eat in class, as they are required to wear masks. Students may ask permission to step out into the hallway to drink water from their personal water bottles or from the water fountain. We will go outside for mask breaks.”
Q: “What are the classroom rules?”
A: “In room 241, we adhere to Tukes Valley's values of being safe, responsible, and responsible. I like to add kind to that list, too. Following these values helps us have a rich, nurturing learning environment. Students will have the personal satisfaction of knowing they are good citizens at TVM. When students struggle to meet expectations, they will be encouraged to make amends through reflection and service, restoring our positive classroom community. More information can be found on the Class Syllabus in the 'Resources' section. Students will learn the routines and expectations in our classroom, so that they feel comfortable and confident.”
Q: “How much homework will my child have from this class?”
A: “I believe that children need time at home to play, spend time with family members, and pursue their personal interests, and my hope is that my students will use class time effeciently, completing assignments largely in class. Since Reading and Language classes have been combined into a single ELA class, students will have twenty to thirty minutes of homework nightly. Each month your child will check out a book for a genre assignment; he or she needs to read that book every day in order to finish it and complete the assignment by the last school day of the month. Your child may also benefit from reviewing vocabulary words with you at home before tests. On the weeks we use class time for reading workshop, your child needs to work on writing at home for twenty minutes. On the weeks we use class time for writing workshop, your child needs to read at home for at least twenty minutes for homework. If your child has trouble completing assignments, he or she might want to attend Homework Club, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please check Skyward often to make sure your son or daughter doesn't have missing assignments. Students have one week in which to complete and turn in missing assignments. Please do let me know if the homework from English becomes a burden for your family, so we can figure out a solution that will work. ”