Book Reports

Students will complete 5 AR points or the equivalent per month.Students will have the choice of taking AR tests, giving oral book reports to the class, or completing book reports/projects to show understanding and sharing what they have read. One book choice should be a chapter book on their reading level. The rest of their AR reading choices are up to them. Some students enjoy reading a long chapter book or 2 for their 5 points (often more than 5 :>) while others prefer reading short half point or 1 point choices. Our goal is for them to choose books they enjoy reading and challenge themselves by passing the AR Quiz. Students can also present their book orally to the class, we always love hearing about the great, good and not so good books to help us choose our next book :> Book report forms and projects like a diorama or poster are always welcome and count for approximately 1 point toward their goal of 5 per month. If the project/book is longer or more elaborate-they can earn more than 1 point. NOTE: ONLY AR TESTs CAN EARN AR POINTS. Reports and projects earn you a point for your goal of 5 per month and toward your monthly reading grade. Reading time is given almost daily in class and reading should be done regularly at home.

We will also do a couple book report projects during the school year. These include some writing and creative, artistic components. Examples are shadowbox/dioramas, circle book reports, index card reports etc. These projects are both Reading and Language Arts Grades.

Both Accelerated Reading (AR) and book report projects will be considered as a part of the 5 AR points  or equivalent per month count for a grade along with any assigned book report project.

Our student goal is to reach100 AR Points EACH !! Lunch from the Principal and  a separate Lunch with the Teacher if you make that goal!!!

NOTE:  It is so important for students to keep the book they are reading with them daily, so when given time to read at school their book is available.

Book Orders

Book orders are sent home about every 4-6 weeks. PLEASE MAKE ONE CHECK PAYABLE TO SCHOLASTIC, WHICH OWNS ALL BOOK ORDERS WE SEND HOME .  (This includes CLICK(the software & games)Trumpet, Arrow, Classics etc. are all added into one sum and written to Scholastic.) Our class earns points for every order we receive and these points are used for classroom software and books. Children read more when they have topics that interest them at their fingertips. Any support is greatly appreciated. :>

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE SOFTWARE ORDERS-they often include Wii, Gamecube, PS2, and great computer activities at  lower than retail price.

Attendance

Attendance is vital for learning. Missed topics can hurt student understanding & grades. Students have the same number of days absent to complete missed assignments example-sick 2 days, 2 days to complete work. Please arrange for homework pick up for any long term absences. Some items will have to be made up at school, and we will use recess or other time to get these completed. District Policy is A NOTE OR PHONE CALL MUST BE RECEIVED AT SCHOOL FOR ANY ABSENCE, otherwise absence is recorded as unexcused.

Textbooks

We have a variety of textbooks and some new texts that are expensive. Students will be responsible for returning each numbered text issued to them undamaged. I will send textbooks home for some subjects to help study prior to a test. If books come home, you know your child is supposed to study :> Fines can occur, so please stress to your child to care for their books. STRETCHY BOOK COVERS ARE RECOMMENDED :> PLEASE always return texts the following school day.

Homework

Homework varies, but is class assigned 1 time weekly. Homework will come home on Fridays (or Mondays) due the following Thursday. Study guides or practice for assessment may come home in between, so please check planners regularly. Reading is something I hope children choose to do on their own, but are asked to read regularly at home.Often, if a student has additional homework it is due to not completing an assignment in class that day. Students will need to complete and return these assignments the following school morning.

Students need to REGULARLY practice Multiplication/Division facts and read at home. They will also need to read regularly to get 5 AR points a month, book reports &/or book talks . So, if you see your child saying they have no homework, they should be reading & practicing times tables. Weekly Newletters will list most assigned homework.

Spelling

  No formal spelling tests will be given this year.Students will do word work with vocabulary words and will work to spell these correctly. We will work on spelling during writing and individual goals will be set for children based on their written work.

Grading Scale

We will use a 1,2,3,4 Grading Scale this year.

1= Does not show understanding of objective

2= Shows some understanding of concept

3= Completely understands concept and can apply in various situations

4= Beyond grade level expectations for this concept

Late Work

Some assignments not completed in class will be completed as homework. It is very important that students complete late or absent work, as it effects their understanding of learning objectives.

Weekly Papers & Newsletters 

Graded papers are sent home on Fridays. Newsletters come home on Friday and have a portion that should be signed and returned by the following Wednesday.  Papers may come home during the week to be redone if a student has displayed difficulty grasping an objective or following directions. Please watch for any papers marked REDO and/ or sign and return. Students are talked to about the redo material before the paper is sent home. These should be returned the following school day.

Notes to School

Please send any correspondence (lunch $, book orders, notes, field trip info, etc.) to school in an envelope labeled with your child's name on it and what it is for. Example: Joe Smith- Book Order, Sarah Jones- Lunch Money  

  Discipline

 Students have the right to learn and teachers have the need and right to teach. We have many partner and group times where students must make wise choices to accomplish tasks while they are talking to others. We have open discussion times and we have quiet independent work times. Students will learn to adjust to each of these times.

Our team will discuss the following responsibilities:

#1 RESPECT EVERYONE-We are all people, just different people trying to make our way in this world.

#2 Listening when someone is speaking and working quietly when requested.

#3 Raising hand and keeping your body and objects to self.

#4 Follow directions-written and oral-Asking Questions  :) if confused 

#5 Using time wisely

#6 Listing daily tasks in assignment folder. 
 

Motivating students through positive reinforcement and support are keys to our classroom structure. Students that choose to follow the requests may receive:

homework pass

extra computer time

papers displayed  

Note from teacher

awards or certificates

note or phone call home

verbal praise

lunch with the teacher

other special reinforcers

Students will have 4 cards each week. Students that choose not to follow our classroom requests will pull cards. Extra recess time can be earned for excellent behavior.

Verbal Reminder

1st infraction -Warning- Verbally reminded -pull green card

  2nd infraction - pull yellow card-lose 5 minutes of recess

3rd infraction -pull orange card- lose 10 minutes of recess

4th infraction - pull pink card- Lose a recess and any extra recess. Student conference w/ teacher, parents may be called or note sent.

5th infraction - Ticket is issued-student loses 2 recesses, parent must sign ticket and student must return. NO RECESS GIVEN UNTIL SIGNED TICKET IS RETURNED.

Extreme behavior may cause student to lose 1 or more steps listed.

Hoping that we pull few cards-I want students to have fun in class and have free time at recess :>