I hope you all had an adventurous/restful/productive (insert adjective of your choice) Fall Break!
As we enter into our second quarter of school, I wanted to share some important reminders about classroom policy and expectations. At the beginning of the school year, each of you signed an agreement to support your student in the classroom. Please take a moment to review our classroom expectations.
IXL – This assignment is given orally on Monday morning, is posted in the classroom, and is available on the blog. IXL is due the Sunday following. These assignments directly support the lessons your child has in the classroom. In addition, seeing math in a different format from what it is seen in the classroom will help your child develop problem solving skills. Please set aside a time for your child to practice nightly. If your child needs extra help on a section, please have them write a note in their planner and Ms. Kari or I will help them in class.
Planners – This is an important communication tool between school and home. Please review your student’s planner with them nightly and sign it. By doing this, you can see what work your child has planned, whether it has been completed, and what you can do to help them at home.
Spelling – Your child records new spelling words on Thursday, and spelling tests take place the following Wednesday. Students are required to correct any mistakes and return their test with a signature from a parent (or guardian) the next day. Having a signature on the test is a way to ensure your child is sharing their success, as well as their needs, with you. Please be sure you are helping your child create a routine for spelling. Those who study do far better than those who don’t, even when spelling is challenging.
Weekly Work Evaluation – Each Friday your child fills out a work evaluation. This allows your child to self-reflect on their effort, previous week’s goals and what they have learned throughout the week. Reviewing and signing your child’s evaluation is another critical communication piece between school and home.
Home Projects –
- Level 4 – Utah Studies project – I started out with a bang, and very quickly realized the information I sent home was a bit vague. As such, I will be re-introducing this project to your children on Thursday, October 27th with a solid timeline and better explanations. Please watch for this information to come home this week.
- Level 5 – Invention Convention – Your 5th level student had their first assignment due Wednesday, October 19. This assignment was to be a problem collector which will help them determine the invention they would like to engineer for their STEM based home project. Your child will bring home their next assignment this week, as well as a printed timeline for the project.
- Level 6 – Expert Project – We are well on our way on this project. The last two weeks your child should have been working on a project proposal. I am excited to read the first draft of these proposals, as it will give me a much clearer idea of where your child is taking their research. This has been a great experience so far and I look forward to our presentations in April.
- All Grades – International Festival/Country Reports – This year’s international festival is Monday, December 19. Your child will receive his/her country assignment (randomly assigned) Friday, October 28. Because each of your children are already working on an individual, long-term, home project, we will spend some time in class on Friday, November 4 doing preliminary research. Please take an opportunity to go to the library with your child and check out books that will support their research. They should bring these books to school on November 4 in order to make the best use of their time. We do have limited resources (computers, books, etc) and it will help immensely if your child brings some of their own.
If after your child brings home information about his/her individual long-term home project, or the International Festival, you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Have a wonderful week!