The 411 | mysite

Here is where you can find information on classroom policies and expectations, as well as information on the different resources provided and curriculum used.

Grades

Here is a breakdown of how grades go:

4 - A 4 means that your student has not only shown mastery but exceeded the target. This is not common yet.
3 - A 3 is great! Receiving a 3 means that your student is meeting the target which is exactly where we want them to be.
2 - A 2 means that your student is approaching the target but are not quite there, yet.
1 - A 1 means they are really struggling with the concept being taught.

Please remember that grades show where your student is in regards to the standards. This is important but what is more important is their Habits of Work and Character. Learning the skills needed to be successful in the years to come.

Sight Words &

Fluency Practice

Students have been given sight word and fluency books. These are a great resource to help your student master sight words (Most Common Words) and then put them into phrases to help with fluency. Once your student can say the word within 3 seconds and get the entire list correctly, initial at the bottom. They can then put stickers on their book as they progress through the lists. Once a book is completed they receive a ticket, which is part of my classroom management (reward).

Baggie Books

Students will begin to bring home Baggie Books over the next week. These are a great resource to help your kiddo improve their reading. They also help to foster a love for reading because they will read them to you and you will be able to talk about what they read. It is very powerful for kids to read to and with their parents.

Once your student can read the book with minimal slowing down and no more than 2-3 mistakes, initial the front of the envelope and send it back to school so they can get their next book. Due to scheduling, there will not always be someone to listen to them read it and pass it off. It is critical that you initial that they are ready, so a new book can be sent home. If there is no initial, it will be sent back.

*The replacement cost for a lost or damaged book is $5.00 and can be paid in the office.

**Students who are on chapter books will read a book at home and do a book report once they finish a book.

I have a strict no talking policy during any test or assessment. If a student talks, they will recieve a zero for that test/assessment. They are expected to still complete it and you will be able to see the grade they would have earned had they followed classroom expectations.

This expectation is always reviewed right before starting any test or assessment to help students.

HOMEWORK

Homework is a hot debate in education right now. My philosophy is that homework is not really necessary. I don't need to see a student do the same math problem 20 different times. I'd rather see them do one math problem seven different ways. If students are grasping concepts in class and making progress, I do not see the need for homework.

I do believe that students should be reading a minimum of 20 minutes a night, four days a week. That time frame will increase as we go through the year and build our stamina. I believe it is important to foster a love of reading in students and one of the best ways to do this is at home with their parents.

At times, homework is necessary and I will require it. That typically is around the time that we are preparing for Celebration of Learning. If a student is not using their time wisely in class, I may have them take it home to complete. This is a good opportunity for you to have a talk with them about how they are using their time and how to be successful at school. I am having these same conversations with them and so it is building support between home and school, which is important for kids to have.

I try to provide many resources for your student to grow academically. I provide baggie books, sight word books, book reports and math fact practice. It is important to help kids learn to LOVE school and so I do not want a student spending more than 20-30 minutes practicing a skill. Please let them struggle and learn to have a growth mindset and to push through things that are hard. However, if it is anxiety or stress they are experiencing, it is ok to simply stop and not worry about it at that time. I also know that we have busy schedules and that sometimes we simply can not get to some of these things.

I am not requiring you to do baggie books or sight word books, they are simply resources to help your student. I recommend using them and have seen how much these resources help a students growth. I will send home a monthly reading log. The first one will be sent home next week for September.

If you every have any questions about anything we are doing in class or that your student could benefit from working on at home, please contact me. I want to help your student love school and succeed.