Mrs. Ward's Class

Happy New Year Parents and Students,

I hope that everyone has enjoyed your time together as a family and your time to sharpen the saw. We are going to start this year with a bang! I know that with joint efforts we can have a fantastic rest of the year.

The homework percentages this last quarter were rather low and we are going to change it this next semester. Homework is not just for busy work. I choose homework that reinforces what is being taught in the classroom and it is also used as a review. For instance I might throw in a page of addition or subtraction when we are learning division that week. The students need extra practice with reading at home. I have plenty of books the students can choose from if they don’t have enough books. Spelling helps our students become better readers and writers. Writing in a planner and getting it signed teaches the students putting first things first and responsibility. It is the student’s responsibility to ask you to sign the planner. The students are learning how to plan their day. When the students have completed an assignment they get to check it off. If the homework takes you longer than an hour let me know. The reading should take about 20 minutes, spelling about 10 minutes, math should be at the most 30 minutes, and planner takes 20 seconds to sign.

We are going to try to get our homework percentages up to at least 80% this semester and I can guarantee the students will be better at reading, spelling, math, and become more responsible leaders. I know that each of us can be stars and we will each be able to put a starburst in our jar on Friday after ALL of the homework is completed. Please understand that you can email or contact me if there are any problems that week such as emergencies, etc. I am hoping that all of our percentages will rise and that the students learn how to be proactive and responsible.

I look forward to this fresh new start and for all of us to turn over a new leaf. Please see if your child is in need of a new red folder and some fresh new pencils. We are starting to get low on hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and dollar items for my treasure box. Lots of students moved on the rainbow before Christmas Break. Many students are on round two of the rainbow.

I have updated the spelling list. The phonograms we will be focusing on are also on the spelling page. Thank you parents for all of your help with making the Feast a success. I appreciate all that you do!

Please start looking at snapgrades. We will be really focusing on getting the grades updated so you can know how your child is doing.

Please turn in scholastic by Friday if you are interested in getting it before the Christmas Break.

I have updated the spelling and phonogram lists. Please check these tabs weekly. We are going to have a great week finishing up learning about the seasons and the constitution. We will also be focusing heavily on habit 6-Synergize. I hope that everyone has a great week!

Please let me know a.s.a.p. if these times don’t work for you.

 Wednesday- October 21, 2009

1:30-1:45-

1:50- 2:05- Madison G.

 2:10-2:25- Braden B.

 2:30-2:45- Jessie K.

 2:50-3:05-

 3:10-3:25- Sera K.

 3:30- 3:45-

 3:45-4:00- Jeremiah P

 4:00-4:15- Jacob D

 4:20-4:35- Aaron

 4:35-4:50-

 5:00-5:15-  Silas

 5:15- 5:30- Madelyn

 5:30-6:00- Break

 6:00-6:15-

 6:20-6:35- Bailey

 6:40-6:55- Kade W.

Thursday- October 22, 2009

1:30-1:45- Clark C

 1:50- 2:05- Eli W.

 2:10-2:25- Garrett B. 

2:30-2:45-

 2:50-3:05- Michael

 3:10-3:25- Isabella L.                 

 3:30- 3:45- Mason

 3:45-4:00-

 4:00-4:15- Braiden M.

 4:20-4:35-Robert

 4:35-4:50-

 5:00-5:15-

 5:15- 5:30-

 5:30-6:00- Break

 6:00-6:15-

 6:20-6:35- Katie

 6:40-6:55-

 7:00-7:15- Chandler E.

 7:30-7:45- Briesa E.

Week of September 28^th-October 2^nd

Important Updates

There are a lot of things going on this week. Talk to your child about being proactive and being sure they get their necessary assignments done. Putting first things first will help ensure their success this week. One of the primary focuses this week is getting the Share What You Know report done. Parents, this week there is only 3 math assignments, 3 spelling assignments, and the children should do at least 2 reading assignments. If you have a hard time getting all of the homework done because you are working on the projects please just send me a note. I would rather the children take a lot of their time doing a good job on the end of the semester book reports.

Everyone should have gotten a copy of the presentation schedule. If you are interested in coming to your child’s presentation you are more than welcome to come.

Wednesday, September 30^th and Thursday, October 1^st- Share What You Know presentations

Thursday, October 1^st- Math Test Chapter 5- The test is subtracting with regrouping. Example- 532-49. Study!

 Friday, October 2^nd- Cumulative Unit 1 and 2- I know that there are two math tests in one week. I don’t want to do this end of the semester math test after the Fall Break because I don’t want the children to forget the information from the year. The math homework that I gave you is a good example of what to expect on the test. The students will be tested on place value, ordering smallest to greatest numbers, addition and subtraction without regrouping, addition and subtraction with regrouping, and problem solving.

Parents it is critical that the students practice their math facts. We are going to start with adding up to 10 and doing it with automaticity. We will then go to 20, and 30. We will also be practicing subtracting with automaticity. Please study with flash cards. I got several flash cards at the dollar store. It is a great investment. Parents would you rather have three nights of the math packet and 1 night of studying flash cards? Let me know your thoughts. Please email me your thoughts or leave a comment under my post.

Parents,

Please be sure to sign the weekly goals for our class regarding the homework policy. I understand that the spelling may be a lot of work so we have come up with a new plan. Instead of doing all 25 words a night. You can do nine the first night, and eight words the next two nights. If you want you can still do 25 words a night but this might help you out with the homework level. One of your nights you can do your spelling on www.spellingcity.com if you would like.

Next week the Share What you Know projects will be due. If you are not prepared to turn in the rough draft tomorrow you can correct the rough draft yourself. However, be sure to include the rough draft and final draft on Wednesday, September 30th. Students can bring their books to class and take notes to work on it.

Last night students brought home their Shurley books please make sure they brought it back to school today.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

Mrs.Ward

Today was a great day! The students did excellent on their poems. I loved how prepared they were. Be sure to ask your student how they did. Please also ask if your child did the poem yet and if not, be prepared to do it on Monday. Look at Mr.Sinclair’s email on all of the helpful websites. There are some great parent help with Leader in Me, Shurley English, Singapore, Spalding, and Core Knowledge. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.

Remember that Tuesday is the Shurley Test. I hope everyone received the blue Shurley Review Packet. Today was the math test, be sure to ask your child how they think they did.

Homework is important and next week we are setting a goal that as a class we will all do our homework. The homework is reading logs, signed planners, math packet, and spelling. I am not giving busy work it is work to help your child succeed in the fundamental subjects.

Responsibility

I am responsible
for all that I do,
from turning in work
to making friends too.

I choose if my room
will be messy or clean,
I make the choice
to be kind or mean.

It is up to me
just how much I will learn,
the grades that I get
will be grades that I earn.

I make the choice
to be happy or sad,
to have a good day
or have one that is bad.

So now I will choose
what is best for me.
I am responsible
I hold the key!
 
    ~  “author unknown

Parents welcome to my blog. Be sure to look at the projects page and the spelling page. I will change the spelling weekly. It has been great getting to know everyone this year and we are learning so much! Please know that if you have any questions or concerns you can contact me. Have a great day!