BIRTHDAYS

    Birthdays are special days! Please feel free to send in a special snack for your child to share with the class.  I've even suggested to the class that in place of a birthday snack, a child may choose to donate a book to our class library in their name.  We will sing to your child, and if he/she brings in cupcakes etc., s/he will pass them out after lunch. If your child has a summer birthday, we will celebrate in June!

BOOK ORDERING

    We will be ordering books from the Scholastic Book Club this year. I will send home an order form each month from Lucky and/or Arrow books. Please do not feel obligated to order. If you do choose to order, please pay by CHECK. Checks should be made payable to Scholastic Book Club and put it in a sealed envelope with your child's name on it. If you choose to order from both Lucky and Arrow books within the same month please write out separate checks.   

TOYS

   The children are not allowed to have toys, games, cards, and so on in or at their desks. In the years past I have found that many children are distracted by their toys and tend to fidget and play while they should be listening or doing their work. The children are more than welcome to bring in a toy for recess time, but it must remain in their lockers until lunch time (however, Pokemon and Bakugan toys are not allowed in school at all). The children need to be aware of the fact that their toy is their responsibility. If it is a very special or expensive toy that s/he does not want to get lost or broken, s/he should leave it at home.

***Electronic toys are not allowed in school (gameboy, walkman, ipod etc.)***

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

   It is very important that the classroom environment is organized so that the children can learn and that I can teach. I believe that classroom management/discipline needs to focus on the positive behaviors that a teacher would like her students to exhibit. During the first few days of school, the students and I will compile a list of rules that will help our classroom run more smoothly...our "Classroom Constitution".  The rules will be posted in our classroom all year long. Please encourage your child to tell you the rules and explain their importance.

HOMEWORK

    Homework has a definite place in the educational process. It is an extension of the learning experiences children have during the instructional day. Homework is designed to aid the student in achieving classroom and school goals and is not used as punishment. Typically, homework should take about 40 minutes per day.  The class is given all of the 'typical' homework assignments on Monday. We fill out the student planners together and I go over the homework for the week.  However, there are some assignments that may be given on a daily basis.  I do require that students read over the weekend.  Starting in October, students will bring a reading log home weekly that is returned each Friday (see Reading Homework).  Last minute assignments are not typically assigned over the weekend, but I do expect students to use this time to work on long-term projects/other assignments.   

     This year I will be trying to enforce good work habits. The goals of my homework assignments are to develop responsibility and good study habits. I understand that, at times, the children may need parental help with homework. Try not to give so much help that the value of the homework will be diminished. If there is some reason why your child is unable to complete an assignment, please write me a brief note explaining why and your child will be excused for the day. However, I will expect the assignment to be completed the next evening. On the other hand, if your child fails to bring in homework, and does not have a note, s/he will complete the homework during recess. If missing homework becomes a repeated occurrence, I will be sure to contact you so that we may work out a solution together. Homework, homework planners, and school notices will come home in your child's "take home folder" each night.

Assignment Notebooks/Planners

   The children will be bringing home an assignment notebook or planner, that has been issued by the school, each night. The children are responsible for copying the homework assignment into their book completely and correctly. I will frequently check their homework book and initial it to be sure that they have copied the homework into their book. Should the assignment book become lost, your child will need to purchase a new book from the school.

Reading Homework    

    Starting in October, part of your child's weekly homework will always include reading for at least 100 minutes per week. The children have a reading calendar/log in their "take home" folder. I explained to the students that they may break up the 100 minutes and try to read 20 minutes a night for 5 nights (if they wish). Your child may also choose to read on the weekend instead of during the week...this is fine. The amount of time that your child has read on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday will be counted toward the 100 minutes for the following week.

    Parents need to initial each week that your child has read and write in the number of minutes s/he has read. I will check the calendar for initials every Friday. If the calendar does not have a parents initials indicating that s/he has read at least 100 minutes throughout the week, s/he will receive partial credit and a homework notice and have to make up the reading homework at recess.

Spelling Homework

       The children will be assigned spelling homework every Monday. I will go over the spelling assignments with the children in class. I will collect all 3 spelling homework assignments on Thursday (they may be handed in earlier too). Although I encourage the children to try to do at least one spelling activity a night, it is up to the child as to what nights s/he chooses to do the spelling homework. They just need to remember that all 3 assignments must be completed by Thursday. The children will have a spelling test each Friday.

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