T.R.A.V.E.L. Binders:
Your child will have a T.R.A.V.E.L. Binder (Teaching Responsibility And Values for Everday Learning) that they will keep in their book bag and travel to and from school/home each day. This folder will hold their nightly homework and common assessment data, important. It is important that they are responsible for, keep track of this binder and ensure that it is in their bookbag each day.
Tuesday Folders:
Every Tuesday your child will take home in-class assignments, homework, and quizzes. Homework or other practice assignments that we work on together in class will be checked and assigned a check mark or “P” for “practice”. The other assignments/tests will be graded according to the standard based grading system.
Standard Based Grading (from the student’s perspective):
1 = I don’t understand.
2 = I sometimes understand, but still need help.
3 = I understand and have mastered the concept.
4 = Now, that I have mastered the concept, I can extend my thinking or show it in a new way.
Remember, not all objectives, have the opportunity for a level 4.
Classroom Website:
Our classroom website is a great place to find all of our weekly newsletter & classroom updates, digital classroom resources, calendars (such as the specials’ schedule, year-round calendar, lunch menu, etc.), and a list of online resources for each subject area to practice or reinforce what we are learning in class. This site will consistently have new things added to it, so it will be helpful to visit it regularly to stay informed.
Weekly Classroom Updates:
Each week (usually on Sundays), I will email out a weekly classroom update and post it to our website. This will include important reminders and upcoming events, a look into what your child will be learning that week in all subject areas, as well as questions that you can ask your child at home to stay engaged.
Talking Points:
I will be using the Talking Points app to send out announcements and reminders. You may have already received a message from me. If not, you may need to add the app by using the following link - https://goo.gl/D89aov. This tool works like a text messaging system and it allows me to respond back quickly. This is especially useful for changes in transportation when my receipt of a message in a timely manner is crucial.
Parent/Teacher Conferences:
I hold mandatory parent/teacher conferences twice a year. The first conference will be held near the beginning of second quarter and the second one will be held in the beginning of fourth quarter. However, I am always willing to meet with you if a concern should arise at another time during the year. It is very important to me to keep the lines of communication open between school and home.
How to Contact the Teacher:
The best way to reach me is through email or Talking Points. My email address is jbracke@wcpss.net and I check my email several times during the day. However, you may also reach me directly at school by calling the front office, 919-460-3400.