Our Classroom
Classroom Rules
I feel that it is important for children to have input into the creation of their classroom rules. Students have a good sense of what is expected of them in school and have ownership in their classroom when they create classroom rules and guidelines. I help guide the discussion and wording of 4-5 "Big Rules". I find that a smaller number becomes easier for children to remember. Here are the 2013-2014 classroom rules that we have created together:
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Agendas
Each child is given an Agenda at the beginning of the school year. They are expected to use this agenda daily. This is an excellent way to maintain home/school contact. Please read your child's agenda then sign and return it each day.
If your child's agenda is lost, stolen, or damaged they will be expected to purchase a new one at your expense.
Homework
Adequate time will be give to complete all assignments during class time; only what is not completed in class will become homework. All homework is important, and must be completed. Please expect that your child will have some homework each night. If your child does not have any homework I encourage you to read or practice math facts together. If something unexpected comes up please email, call or write a note in your child's agenda and I will allow an extension of homework. If your child has excessive homework it is important to keep in mind that they are still children and they still need time off to play. I suggest that no more than 30-45 minutes (maximum) homework is reasonable. After this time has passed please send a note along with the incomplete portion. By simply initialing your child's agenda, this is a significant way of communicating with me that you are aware and involved in your child's schooling. If homework is not completed a note will also be written in your child's agenda so you are aware.
Adequate time will be give to complete all assignments during class time; only what is not completed in class will become homework. All homework is important, and must be completed. Please expect that your child will have some homework each night. If your child does not have any homework I encourage you to read or practice math facts together. If something unexpected comes up please email, call or write a note in your child's agenda and I will allow an extension of homework. If your child has excessive homework it is important to keep in mind that they are still children and they still need time off to play. I suggest that no more than 30-45 minutes (maximum) homework is reasonable. After this time has passed please send a note along with the incomplete portion. By simply initialing your child's agenda, this is a significant way of communicating with me that you are aware and involved in your child's schooling. If homework is not completed a note will also be written in your child's agenda so you are aware.
Assessment
Your child will be assessed according to his/her progress in the curriculum and to developmental expectations. Many methods of assessment will be used to learn about your child's progress. The following techniques are used: samples of daily work, observations, tests (formal, informal, oral and written), and individual, small and large group observations. All tests and quizzes will be copied on yellow paper and sent home for you to sign and return back to the school. I will make an effort to insure that there are not multiple tests on the same day. Sometimes this scheduling is unavoidable but I will make a effort to avoid this as I know it can be stressful for both your child and your family.
Please be aware that not all grades will be taken for report cards; some quizzes and assignments will be graded as "formative assessment" which means for information - your child's, your own and mine. These grades will help us all to know if your child is understanding the content, or if they need a little more help or practice. This also means that it is O.K. and expected that your child will make mistakes while he or she learns. We will all work together to insure that your child succeeds.
Your child will be assessed according to his/her progress in the curriculum and to developmental expectations. Many methods of assessment will be used to learn about your child's progress. The following techniques are used: samples of daily work, observations, tests (formal, informal, oral and written), and individual, small and large group observations. All tests and quizzes will be copied on yellow paper and sent home for you to sign and return back to the school. I will make an effort to insure that there are not multiple tests on the same day. Sometimes this scheduling is unavoidable but I will make a effort to avoid this as I know it can be stressful for both your child and your family.
Please be aware that not all grades will be taken for report cards; some quizzes and assignments will be graded as "formative assessment" which means for information - your child's, your own and mine. These grades will help us all to know if your child is understanding the content, or if they need a little more help or practice. This also means that it is O.K. and expected that your child will make mistakes while he or she learns. We will all work together to insure that your child succeeds.
Behaviour Initiatives and Home Contact
Good Work Awards: Good Work Awards are small slips of paper that have a spot for their name, grade, teacher and date on them. They are handed out anytime a student is doing "Good Work". Students may earn several good work awards each day. Tasks that generally earn good work awards are: Silent Reading, working on task, cooperatively working with peers on task, being ready for a subject or class, having a clean desk and many, many more. Students save their good work awards during the week and on the last day of the week they are placed in a large bin. Several names are drawn and the winners get to choose a prize out of the prize bin.
When a child has broken a rule they will be asked to complete an "Ask me About it" sheet or a "Fixing the Broken Rule Sheet." These forms are designed to communicate with you the parent/guardian about what is going on at school. It is very important that they are signed and returned so that we know that you are aware of the situation.
When a child has broken a rule they will be asked to complete an "Ask me About it" sheet or a "Fixing the Broken Rule Sheet." These forms are designed to communicate with you the parent/guardian about what is going on at school. It is very important that they are signed and returned so that we know that you are aware of the situation.
Solving Social Conflicts
In our classroom I try to teach students effect ways of dealing with social conflict. Here are the steps I encourage students to use.
Steps
Stop and cool off
Take turns talking
Explain how you feel, "I feel ____ when you _____ because..."
Plan how to fix it... choose a "Friendship Fix it"
Shake hands and agree
Friendship Fix Its
Say you're sorry
Shake Hands
Give each other a hug
Invite them to play with you next recess
Make a card or a letter
Star of the Week
Each week a student is chosen as the "Star of the Week", this becomes their special week in class. A poster will be sent home either the Friday before or Monday of. Please work with your child to create this poster. On the last day of the week the "Star Student" will be asked to share their poster with us. They also may bring in a "Show and Share" item at this time.
In this day and age of hectic lives and busy schedules, reading together is a simple and enjoyable way for parents to take time out and focus on the family. Young children need lots of special, dedicated time with their loved ones.Did you know . . .
Sources
Little Ones Reading Resource http://www.littleonesreadingresource.com/childrens-stories.html
Each week a student is chosen as the "Star of the Week", this becomes their special week in class. A poster will be sent home either the Friday before or Monday of. Please work with your child to create this poster. On the last day of the week the "Star Student" will be asked to share their poster with us. They also may bring in a "Show and Share" item at this time.
Home Reading
Parents who read childrens stories aloud to their kids provide a strong, positive influence and build a foundation for a lifetime of significant benefits. But what really are these reading aloud benefits? What kind of difference are we talking about?
Below is a summary of the significant ways in which reading stories aloud to kids will change their lives . . . and yours. It won't happen overnight, as change is gradual, but continued and dedicated reading will most definitely bring noticeable, long-term changes.
- Reading childrens stories aloud to our kids is just plain FUN!!!
- Reading childrens stories is a wonderful bounding experience that fosters meaninful one-on-one communication with our kids.
- It shows our children in no uncertain terms that they are important to us.
- It molds our kids into becoming readers, and raising a reader significantly increases our child's potential for academic success as well as lifelong success in general.
- It is a vital and integral part of teaching our kids how to read as children learn how to read by being read to.
- It builds listening skills, increases a child's attention span, and develops the ability to concentrate at length of which all are learned skills.
- It develops children's ability to express themselves more confidently, easily, and clearly in spoken AND written terms.
- It develops and fosters a child's natural curiosity.
- It develops creativity and a child's ability to use their own imagination!
- It expands our children's horizons, quells fears, exposes them to new situations, and teaches them appropriate behavior.
- Reading childrens stories to our children provides the best opportunities for true "teaching moments ."
- Reading picture books develops a young child's appreciation for the arts through exposure to many different styles of art and illustrations.
There is so much that reading children's stories aloud to our kids can do for them. Let's start reading together today!
Sources
Little Ones Reading Resource http://www.littleonesreadingresource.com/childrens-stories.html
