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Utah Compose Homework

Mar10

A reminder that all students have Utah Compose essays assignments weekly.  Every child has access to computers in the classroom (approximately 20 minutes daily) and the majority of the class has an additional 1.5 hours, once a week, to work on this assignment. For some, this may be all the time they need.  For most, this time is not enough to do their best work and they will need to spend time at home working on these assignments.  Please encourage your children to do their homework, it directly affects their improvement in writing.

These expectations have been communicated to your children verbally, as well as on their weekly work expectation sheets.  Please see previous blog posts where I spoke about expectations for Utah Compose here and here.

If you have any questions about Utah Compose, or the assignment expectations, please let me know.

 

 

February 22 – Updates

Feb22

I hope you all enjoyed the beautiful Spring-like weather this weekend.  It was gorgeous.

A few updates from Room 24.

  • Field Trip Tomorrow – February 23
      • Drop student off at the Ogden Frontrunner Station no later than 7:45 am
      • Pick up student at the Ogden Frontrunner Station at 3:00pm. Please pick up your child prior to picking up other children at MMA. 
      • Student should bring: sack lunch, quiet game or book to pass the time on the train, jacket
      • Student should not bring: electronics or toys

      If you anticipate your child will not be attending, please notify me by email no later than 7am, Tuesday, February 23

  • Class Pictures – Thursday, February 25
    • Avoid white
    • Bold colors are the best
    • Dress code required
  • IXL homework to be replaced with Utah Compose and other language centered practice
    • I will not be assigning IXL homework for the next several weeks in order to give students time to practice Utah Compose and other language work at home.  If your child would like to practice IXL on their own, that is wonderful!  In fact, I encourage it; however, there will be no formal assignments until mid-March
  • Testing Schedule – 
    • SAGE Language – Monday, March 28
    • SAGE Writing – Monday, April 11
    • SAGE Math – Monday, May 9
    • SAGE Science – Monday, May 16

Science Fair, International Festival and Utah Compose

Dec6

As we enter the last two weeks of the year before winter break, please note the following important dates:

Utah Compose Rough Draft – December 6

International Festival – December 16(Report due December 15)

Science Fair – Materials and Procedures – December 18

Pancake Breakfast – December 18

In this final push, when your students are looking forward to Winter Break, it is important to stay focused and on task.  Please check in with your students to make sure they complete homework and other in class tasks on time.   Thank you for your support.

December is Here!

Dec2

No doubt, the older I get the faster time flies.  I cannot believe it is already December and there is snow on the ground.

Your kids came back from Thanksgiving Break ready to work and for that, I am thankful.  We began new units in our afternoon cultural studies and the children seem to be completely immersed in their small group and independent studies.  Level 4 are back in Utah for more history, Level 5 took a trip to Ancient Egypt and Level 6 students are researching the Middle Ages.  You can find a copy of the study guide for each level under the *PDF tab at the top of the blog.  Each grade level has a 3 week unit plan that will take us all the way up to Winter break.  Although in some cases it looks like a lot of work, there is plenty of time during class for this work to be completed if your child is on task.

Speaking of Winter break, our annual pancake breakfast is scheduled for the last day of school before the break.  Each year we have a class breakfast, with parents invited to join us for pancakes, fruit and juice.  In order to make this a success, we need parent volunteers to cook as well as donations of food items and paper goods.  Our breakfast is scheduled from 9-10:30, Friday, December 18.  The students will set up the tables and chairs at 8:30.   With breakfast beginning around 9:30 (once pancakes have begun coming off the griddle).  If can volunteer time, goods or both, please sign up at this link.

*Updated Forms:

If your student is in need of additional copies of Science Fair forms or the guidelines for the International Festival (PDF), you can find those forms on the tabs at the top of the blog.

Introducing Utah Compose

Nov11

Writing in the upper elementary classroom is a big part of your child’s daily practice. From explaining their mathematical thinking to formal essay writing, it will be a near daily expectation for the remainder of the school year.

Your students have been working on opinion and argumentative essays in class.   We started with the basics including a graphic organizer/outline, wrote a first draft, peer edited, discussed using Utah Compose as an additional form of writing practice, and assigned the first essay deadline (11/11).

Because of the limited resources and time during school hours, your students are expected to enter their writing into Utah Compose at home.  A draft of the essay is due Monday evening so that both their peers and I have time to review and add comments and feedback by Tuesday.  Their final draft is due each Wednesday at the start of school, essentially Tuesday night unless they are waking up early to complete the assignment before school starts.

To help them keep track of deadlines and expectations your child receives a general study guide as well as a specific guide for the work we do with our Scholastic magazines.  Please talk to your kids about the work they are doing in class and required assignments, your interest will help them stay on track.