I do NOT require your child to memorize concepts and facts we learn in class.
I am more concerned that your child understands and can apply what he/she has
learned when doing labs and other activities. For this reason, I believe
critical thinking is an important asset in my classroom. Students who use
critical thinking skills are better able to interpret, criticize, and evaluate
information that he/she has been taught.
Tests and quizzes that I give will always be open book and/or open notes
unless I specifically indicate otherwise on the weekly newsletter. If your
child is absent on a day we have lab he/she will not be able to make it up.
The missed lab grade will not count for or against them. Also, if your child
attends ELL or ARMT Academy during my class they will not have a grade on
their report card for science.
Your child’s grade will be a combination of the following activities:
• Labs
• Quizzes
• Tests
• Class work
• I do not assign homework.
Small Math Groups (During Science Class)
I will also start teaching 30 minutes of individualized small math groups 3-5
times per week during my science class. I think it is important to show kids
that math and science are closely related and it’s hard to use one subject
without the other. Most students enjoy this time because they are able to
receive extra help in a relaxed environment.
I do not give your child a grade in math group! I report back to Mrs. Darnell
with the children’s progress and let her know who is improving or who needs
extra help. It is important to know that just because I pull your child for
math group does not mean they have a bad grade in Mrs. Darnell’s class.
Sometimes I pull kids at random to check their multiplication, division,
etc. Math can be quite challenging this year and Mrs. Darnell and I take your
child’s math education very seriously. We will do everything we can to make
sure your child succeeds in math here at West this year.