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Sent Via email 8-21-14:
bathroom- it would be helpful if you could remind your child to use the restroom one last
time before you head off to school. We have been needing four
bathroom breaks during the day and I'd love to move that down to three, which is
what the third grade typically schedules. None of us want the
kids missing instructional time for restroom breaks anymore that necessary.
Obviously, I'm sensitive to necessary unplanned trips.
cursive- I feel like I dropped the ball here now that I've seen my 4th grader's
penmanship papers come home. Third grade better train up some
tidy writers! I have been letting the kids choose cursive or
print the last two weeks, just as we got back into the swing of things and
wouldn't you know if just about everyone of them has reverted to print (and not
even nice print). I have told them next week we will get back
to cursive on most assignments. Sorry for any
confusion. If your child is new and hasn't
run through all the letters yet, I will be flexible here of course.
Dojo points- I have some parents asking about what number can be expected each
day. Every day is different, but I think the average will be
5-8. Wednesday, I forgot to add the points for homework and
it was just such a busy day I hardly had time to pick up my phone to add
points. That is not typical for me and a slightly higher
number could be expected on average.
Star test- We have taken our first star test. I will send home the
parent print out tomorrow (Friday). There is a lot of
information on it, but two numbers to note are the G.E. and the
Z.P.D. The G.E. is the grade equivalency and it's about
halfway down on the left side. A 3.0 is a 'typical' third
grade score at the beginning of the year. A higher number is
lovely and a lower number can signal some needed diligence on all our parts.
Regardless of the number, we are working towards growth! The ZPD is the reading
range we would like for them to read in. It is located at the
bottom of the page. Reading slightly above or below is
alright, but we are encouraging finding 'right fit' books.
Remember, you (and the students) can find book levels at
ARbookfind.com.
Spelling test- Our first test finds us tomorrow (so sorry if you are reading this
Friday, I've been typing on this email all day in bits and pieces!)
I ask the students to write the words in cursive but also provide a line
for an optional printed version. I do not want anyone to miss a word for a
cursive penmanship error! Here is my disclaimer:
If the word is clearly spelled wrong in cursive, I count it
wrong. If the error on the cursive line is a probable
penmanship error, I look to the printed word.
If the word is spelled two entirely different ways, I
look at the cursive line. If they made an error of any type
in cursive and didn't provide me a printed word, it will be counted
incorrect. I have run through this with the students and
given them examples and they seemed to understand. If we come across any issue
with this system, we'll address it then. This actually worked rather will last
year.
Pokémon cards- Before and after care kiddos are asked to bring something to do and many of
those kids are choosing Pokemon cards, which is fine. This
week we had several additional students with Pokemon cards.
We tried to see if it would work to allow those to come to
school. I'm so sorry, but it's just not working.
I'll talk with the boys tomorrow about it, but the new rule will be the
cards can only come out at indoor recess. At this point, they
will be on a trial basis. Until we start having indoor recess
because of the weather, I am going to ask that the cards stay at
home. There were some delays in our whole class getting into
and out of the classroom at the bell this week because cards were out and
changing hands.
Bible verse test- I allow the students to say the bible verse
for the Friday test any day of the week! If they are ready
before Friday, that is fine with me. Anyone who has not said
the verse by Friday will be called up to say it for me that day.
The benefit of saying it early is that if they mess up, they can always
try again the next day!
Daily 5 packet- Each week during daily 5 time (in language arts), we
work through a daily five packet. It contains all the needed
elements for working with words, working on writing, etc.
This week's packet will not be recorded, but I will grade it how I will
grade future packets. The kids are given plenty of time
during daily five time to complete the different elements and have other
opportunities during the week to work on it, should they need additional
time. This is however an exercise in time management and a
few did not make the most of their time this week. I hope
that by seeing how much they got done during the week and the scores they would
have received, they will become better managers of their time in the
future.
Locker room changing- This is not my favorite topic to address because I certainly see both sides, but
specifically the girls have had a struggle this week with changing in the locker
room. I am a fan for modesty and changing in a conservative
manner, but many of the ladies would like to change in the stalls.
We simply don't have time or the room for that to happen.
As we are entering and leaving the locker room, the next set of kids is
coming or going. I suggested to the girls that they wear an
undershirt or thin tank top under their school shirt if taking their top off is
embarrassing. Mrs. Thomas has said it's fine for them to wear that tank top
under their gym shirt as well. I understand our girls desire
for the privacy, but I'm trying to help Mrs. Thomas get classes started on time.
As you might imagine, the boys don't seem to struggle with this
issue! If you sense further issues here with your student,
let me know.
renweb reports- If you receive a renweb report for a missing assignment, that means all
hope is not lost. I mark something missing if we are still
looking for it. This lets you know to keep an eye out for it
and it reminds me that we are still looking for it to turn up.
On the rare occasion an assignment truly gets lost, given the situation,
I'll try to provide a replacement and we'll get it made up.
If you receive a notice for a very low grade, chances
are good that I've pulled that paper so I can go over that skill with your child
again and they can redo the missed problems. I typically then
give half credit for that fixed work. If the page makes its
way home, you are welcome to have your child correct and return the work for
a few possible extra points.
Agenda books- This week some extra grace was given as we train
(or retrain) in agenda book use. Beginning next week (8-25)
any unsigned day will be a lost dojo point as per grade level rule.
I know things happen and agenda books occasionally get left at school or
in the car or at Grandma's. I apologize that I can't take
each situation into account but must stay with my grade level on this
plan. I use it as a reminder for the kiddos (and myself) that
even an accidental mistake sometimes does have a small consequence and when that
happens we just accept it, try to learn something from it, and move on. I would
appreciate your help in not trying to sign agenda books at school in the morning
that were left at school. If someone gets into a forgetful
habit here, I have some additional ideas.
bathroom- it would be helpful if you could remind your child to use the restroom one last
time before you head off to school. We have been needing four
bathroom breaks during the day and I'd love to move that down to three, which is
what the third grade typically schedules. None of us want the
kids missing instructional time for restroom breaks anymore that necessary.
Obviously, I'm sensitive to necessary unplanned trips.
cursive- I feel like I dropped the ball here now that I've seen my 4th grader's
penmanship papers come home. Third grade better train up some
tidy writers! I have been letting the kids choose cursive or
print the last two weeks, just as we got back into the swing of things and
wouldn't you know if just about everyone of them has reverted to print (and not
even nice print). I have told them next week we will get back
to cursive on most assignments. Sorry for any
confusion. If your child is new and hasn't
run through all the letters yet, I will be flexible here of course.
Dojo points- I have some parents asking about what number can be expected each
day. Every day is different, but I think the average will be
5-8. Wednesday, I forgot to add the points for homework and
it was just such a busy day I hardly had time to pick up my phone to add
points. That is not typical for me and a slightly higher
number could be expected on average.
Star test- We have taken our first star test. I will send home the
parent print out tomorrow (Friday). There is a lot of
information on it, but two numbers to note are the G.E. and the
Z.P.D. The G.E. is the grade equivalency and it's about
halfway down on the left side. A 3.0 is a 'typical' third
grade score at the beginning of the year. A higher number is
lovely and a lower number can signal some needed diligence on all our parts.
Regardless of the number, we are working towards growth! The ZPD is the reading
range we would like for them to read in. It is located at the
bottom of the page. Reading slightly above or below is
alright, but we are encouraging finding 'right fit' books.
Remember, you (and the students) can find book levels at
ARbookfind.com.
Spelling test- Our first test finds us tomorrow (so sorry if you are reading this
Friday, I've been typing on this email all day in bits and pieces!)
I ask the students to write the words in cursive but also provide a line
for an optional printed version. I do not want anyone to miss a word for a
cursive penmanship error! Here is my disclaimer:
If the word is clearly spelled wrong in cursive, I count it
wrong. If the error on the cursive line is a probable
penmanship error, I look to the printed word.
If the word is spelled two entirely different ways, I
look at the cursive line. If they made an error of any type
in cursive and didn't provide me a printed word, it will be counted
incorrect. I have run through this with the students and
given them examples and they seemed to understand. If we come across any issue
with this system, we'll address it then. This actually worked rather will last
year.
Pokémon cards- Before and after care kiddos are asked to bring something to do and many of
those kids are choosing Pokemon cards, which is fine. This
week we had several additional students with Pokemon cards.
We tried to see if it would work to allow those to come to
school. I'm so sorry, but it's just not working.
I'll talk with the boys tomorrow about it, but the new rule will be the
cards can only come out at indoor recess. At this point, they
will be on a trial basis. Until we start having indoor recess
because of the weather, I am going to ask that the cards stay at
home. There were some delays in our whole class getting into
and out of the classroom at the bell this week because cards were out and
changing hands.
Bible verse test- I allow the students to say the bible verse
for the Friday test any day of the week! If they are ready
before Friday, that is fine with me. Anyone who has not said
the verse by Friday will be called up to say it for me that day.
The benefit of saying it early is that if they mess up, they can always
try again the next day!
Daily 5 packet- Each week during daily 5 time (in language arts), we
work through a daily five packet. It contains all the needed
elements for working with words, working on writing, etc.
This week's packet will not be recorded, but I will grade it how I will
grade future packets. The kids are given plenty of time
during daily five time to complete the different elements and have other
opportunities during the week to work on it, should they need additional
time. This is however an exercise in time management and a
few did not make the most of their time this week. I hope
that by seeing how much they got done during the week and the scores they would
have received, they will become better managers of their time in the
future.
Locker room changing- This is not my favorite topic to address because I certainly see both sides, but
specifically the girls have had a struggle this week with changing in the locker
room. I am a fan for modesty and changing in a conservative
manner, but many of the ladies would like to change in the stalls.
We simply don't have time or the room for that to happen.
As we are entering and leaving the locker room, the next set of kids is
coming or going. I suggested to the girls that they wear an
undershirt or thin tank top under their school shirt if taking their top off is
embarrassing. Mrs. Thomas has said it's fine for them to wear that tank top
under their gym shirt as well. I understand our girls desire
for the privacy, but I'm trying to help Mrs. Thomas get classes started on time.
As you might imagine, the boys don't seem to struggle with this
issue! If you sense further issues here with your student,
let me know.
renweb reports- If you receive a renweb report for a missing assignment, that means all
hope is not lost. I mark something missing if we are still
looking for it. This lets you know to keep an eye out for it
and it reminds me that we are still looking for it to turn up.
On the rare occasion an assignment truly gets lost, given the situation,
I'll try to provide a replacement and we'll get it made up.
If you receive a notice for a very low grade, chances
are good that I've pulled that paper so I can go over that skill with your child
again and they can redo the missed problems. I typically then
give half credit for that fixed work. If the page makes its
way home, you are welcome to have your child correct and return the work for
a few possible extra points.
Agenda books- This week some extra grace was given as we train
(or retrain) in agenda book use. Beginning next week (8-25)
any unsigned day will be a lost dojo point as per grade level rule.
I know things happen and agenda books occasionally get left at school or
in the car or at Grandma's. I apologize that I can't take
each situation into account but must stay with my grade level on this
plan. I use it as a reminder for the kiddos (and myself) that
even an accidental mistake sometimes does have a small consequence and when that
happens we just accept it, try to learn something from it, and move on. I would
appreciate your help in not trying to sign agenda books at school in the morning
that were left at school. If someone gets into a forgetful
habit here, I have some additional ideas.