Homework
The homework that is given to the students is intended to enrich the learning that has taken place in the classroom. It also fosters responsibility and helps your child establish good work habits. Reading, math and spelling is assigned each week. The homework folder goes out every FRIDAY and returned every THURSDAY. While I constantly communicate with the students about completing and turning in homework, I do know that you play a very important role. Please see this work as a valuable piece to their education and as a foundation to their study skills and help make this a priority in your house. I do keep track of who has turned in their homework. I do not include this in any grade, however, I give Turner Tokens every week to those who complete all their homework. If you have any questions regarding homework or specific questions about how to help your child, please contact me.
Reading
I use many reading programs to help your child gain important reading skills.
Reading Street: This is the primary curriculum used at all grade levels. Each week we read a story and focus on learning specific skills to help with decoding and comprehension of stories and other texts.
Read Well: This is only used at the first grade level. Students are part of a group based on their ability. We meet together for one hour, 4 days a week. A short homework assignment is sent home 3-4 days a week to help build on the skills taught during Read Well.
Read Naturally: This program is primarily done at home. Reading practice is done at home and testing is done at school. I highly encourage students to read 2-4 stories a week. This is a highly effective program if completed regularly. A special folder is used to carry stories back and forth.
Reading Street: This is the primary curriculum used at all grade levels. Each week we read a story and focus on learning specific skills to help with decoding and comprehension of stories and other texts.
Read Well: This is only used at the first grade level. Students are part of a group based on their ability. We meet together for one hour, 4 days a week. A short homework assignment is sent home 3-4 days a week to help build on the skills taught during Read Well.
Read Naturally: This program is primarily done at home. Reading practice is done at home and testing is done at school. I highly encourage students to read 2-4 stories a week. This is a highly effective program if completed regularly. A special folder is used to carry stories back and forth.
Math
The program we use in math is called Go Math! This is used across all grade levels. In the morning we typically complete one lesson. On Fridays, I send a math worksheet from this program in their homework folders. Additionally, we spend 20 minutes at “Number Corner”. This is a time where we get to learn new and review old math concepts. We sit in front and use the Smartboard extensively. Students get to take part in completing activities and playing games on the Smartboard. Also, students listen to CD Math every morning. This is where students listen for numbers which is accompanied by music. The numbers are spoken every 8 seconds and they have to use that number to solve a mathematical problem. Students do this every day and are on all different levels.
Turner Tokens
TURNER TOKENS are used to reinforce appropriate behavior in the classroom and around the school. Students receive them for wonderful behavior throughout the day and they may lose a TURNER TOKEN for causing a problem for himself/herself or someone else. They trade in TURNER TOKENS for rewards every 2 weeks on a Friday.
General Information
Absences: A phone call can be made or a note sent to Tonya in the office if your child is sick, has an appointment, or will be absent. Additionally, I always appreciate a heads up as well. :)
Book Orders: Every 4-6 weeks I send out a Scholastic Book order where you can order books for your child. You can send the order form to school or order online. More information will be sent about online ordering at a later date.
Birthdays: If your child is having a birthday, I will send a note home asking if you want to send or bring in treats and what day works for you. Please note that if you send or bring a treat, do not send anything with peanuts as we have a student with an allergy to this.
Book It: Starting in October students can earn a free pizza through the Pizza Hut Book It program. This is tied to the Read Naturally your child will already be doing. They will have to read and pass a certain number of stories.
Folders: Your student has a HOME/SCHOOL folder that needs to come and go every day. They have a Read Naturally folder to take their stories back and forth. Finally, they have an orange homework folder that needs to come back to school by at least Thursday.
Label, Label, Label: Please label everything you send to school with your child (coats, sweatshirts, backpack, lunchbox, etc.)
Money: Please send any money to school in a sealed envelope labeled with your child's name, my name, the amount, and the reason (lunch, book order, etc.).
Recess: Weather permitting, we will go outside twice a day for recess. Please make sure your child has appropriate outside attire.
Restroom: I encourage students to use the restroom as well as get a drink of water during their recesses or lunch time. This helps keep the students focused on learning in the classroom. Each day, students may have three bathroom visits during class time. If I am teaching, I have told them to wait if possible. If they tell me it is an emergency, I will let them go otherwise the best time to go is during their independent work time. I understand all students are different and I encourage you contact me if there are any issues regarding the restroom use.
Star for 2 Days: I will soon begin an activity that allows each child to be the class Star for 2 Days. During this time, your child will be recognized for the special person s/he is! You will be asked to write a note about your child telling the class what makes your child unique. Your child will also get to share 5 special things with the class, as well as a treasured picture book.
Book Orders: Every 4-6 weeks I send out a Scholastic Book order where you can order books for your child. You can send the order form to school or order online. More information will be sent about online ordering at a later date.
Birthdays: If your child is having a birthday, I will send a note home asking if you want to send or bring in treats and what day works for you. Please note that if you send or bring a treat, do not send anything with peanuts as we have a student with an allergy to this.
Book It: Starting in October students can earn a free pizza through the Pizza Hut Book It program. This is tied to the Read Naturally your child will already be doing. They will have to read and pass a certain number of stories.
Folders: Your student has a HOME/SCHOOL folder that needs to come and go every day. They have a Read Naturally folder to take their stories back and forth. Finally, they have an orange homework folder that needs to come back to school by at least Thursday.
Label, Label, Label: Please label everything you send to school with your child (coats, sweatshirts, backpack, lunchbox, etc.)
Money: Please send any money to school in a sealed envelope labeled with your child's name, my name, the amount, and the reason (lunch, book order, etc.).
Recess: Weather permitting, we will go outside twice a day for recess. Please make sure your child has appropriate outside attire.
Restroom: I encourage students to use the restroom as well as get a drink of water during their recesses or lunch time. This helps keep the students focused on learning in the classroom. Each day, students may have three bathroom visits during class time. If I am teaching, I have told them to wait if possible. If they tell me it is an emergency, I will let them go otherwise the best time to go is during their independent work time. I understand all students are different and I encourage you contact me if there are any issues regarding the restroom use.
Star for 2 Days: I will soon begin an activity that allows each child to be the class Star for 2 Days. During this time, your child will be recognized for the special person s/he is! You will be asked to write a note about your child telling the class what makes your child unique. Your child will also get to share 5 special things with the class, as well as a treasured picture book.