Hello, From Mrs. B!
Classroom updates
New look for the "New"sletter
!! Celebration !!
We have officially finished all beginning of the year assessments!! YEA
I know the kiddos are as excited as I am!!
*If your student has been absent at any point this year they may need to make up some testing. We are still working on make-ups
Lesson Plans, Assignments, and Homework...
THIS FRIDAY IS A TEACHERS ONLY DAY...
Classwork vs. Homework
At the beginning of every school year there is a "learning" period; for both the parents and the students. What is collected for a grade? How much homework will they have? How will the teacher grade the work?? As a parent of a 4th and 7th grader I have the same questions. Hopefully this will help...
Nightly Homework:
Read 30 min, document on Reading Log and parents sign
Study spelling words
Study vocabulary words
Paragraph of the week packet (one activity each night)
Practice typing (several times a week...if you need typing websites let me know)
Occasional Homework:
Book report, research, final draft of a writing assignment (typed)
Social Studies--finish something started in class.
***************************That is plenty*****************************
Everything else is classwork!! It is to be done IN-CLASS!!
I give students large amounts of time in class to work on the in-class assignments. 30-60 minutes daily of quiet independent work time depending on how many small groups I see that day. When they finish their daily work they should be silently reading to meet their 4 books a month quota, taking AR test, practicing their writing skills through journaling, making up missed work, or going to the library to get new books. If they tell you they don't have time in class to finish then they may not be making the best choices. (i.e. reading before they are finished with their work, making unnecessary trips to the library, nurse, bathroom, or socializing instead of working)
Please discuss this with your child and encourage them to make the best use of their in-class time.
If your child brings home their Journal (black composition notebook) and tells you they have to write 3 stories....Ask them to take it back to school....They are given a journal prompt each day. They are ask to respond to the prompt with a paragraph or two practicing whatever writing trait we are currently working on....again, this should be done during independent work time.
If they say they have to read an article and answer questions (about things like weather, whales, dogs, etc......) tell them that is classwork and work on it at school.
These are things we work on together throughout the week. We discuss them and they should be completely during independent work time.
How will the teacher grade the work?
Homework is part of your childs participation grade.
For example, the reading log counts towards your child’s required 4 AR books each month.
Paragraph of the week count as a participation grade for our writer’s workshop corner each Friday.
Typing, Spelling, and Vocab will be assessed weekly (Typing will be assessed on FSA writing as discussed at curriculum night)
Classwork is more of a completeness grade right now vs are the answers are correct.
You helping your child get the right answers on classwork does very little. We are working on coming up with the right answers as a class. This is 5th grade material. Your child is barely out of 4th grade and coming out of summer. I don't expect them to have the correct answers right now. I do expect them to attempt to answer all the questions. I will NEVER grade for correctness until after I have taught the lesson and I feel the class as a whole should have mastered it.
Many times the wrong answers teach us more than the right ones!!
Let your child try and make a mistake......Then I know where to teach!!
I will never count learning against them....I only count not trying against them!!
Study Hall during Recess
Starting this week there will be a study hall during recess time. It will be in a 5th grade classroom with a 5th grade teacher as the "host".
Students can enter study hall in 2 ways: voluntary and involuntary.
Voluntary: (optional) students wish to read or complete homework because they know they have an after school activity. Voluntary study hall is available only if there is room..
Involuntary: (not optional) students have not completed homework, in-class assignments, or assessments. They will then be "put" in study hall by their teacher so they complete the missing work.
Missing assignments can significantly impact a student’s grades. At interims and end of grading periods we want these grades to be a true and accurate account of a student’s abilities....not a reflection of their organization, effort, or lack thereof.
Scholastic Book Orders
This is your last chance to place an order that will have the biggest impact on our classroom. If you plan to order only once this year now is the time. They are offering a huge bonus this month for the beginning of a NEW school year (plus additional points for me being a new teacher to JCE). Posters and free books for everyone who orders!!
Please consider! Deadline is Monday Sept. 15th!! Online code is ****
Many, many, many thanks in advance!!!
The Wrap up...
A new "New"sletter next week
Yea! No more assessments
Check out my planbook
Students sleep in this Friday
Make sure your student does their homework at home....not classwork!!
Study hall (voluntary and involuntary)
Consider ordering from Scholastic this month!!
Have a great Week!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. B