Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- What is language arts all about?
- How am I graded in language arts?
- How much do I have to read each week in language arts?
- How much homework do we have each night in language arts?
- How do I contact the teacher?
What is language arts all about?
Reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
How am I graded in language arts?
During the first week of school, students receive a detailed description of the
class grading procedures. Students do not receive letter grades. Students
will instead be receiving percentage scores based upon mastery of state
standards. Students earning 70% scores will be considered at standard or
above. Scores under 70% mean that a student is not meeting standards. Grades
are available online 24 hours a day for students and parents to view. The new
electronic report cards will come out three times a year at the end of
each trimester:
End of first trimester: Fri. November 18, 2011
End of second trimester: Fri. March 9, 2012
End of third trimester: Tues. June 8, 2012
Grades are categorized in strands as follows:
Reading - 25% of total grade
Writing - 25%
Response to Literature - 15%
Conventions - 10%
Word Skills - 10%
Speaking/Oral Presentations - 5%
Formative/Homework - 10%
How much do I have to read each week in language arts?
Students will be reading both fiction and non-fiction in class and at
home EVERY DAY. I expect that each student will carry a silent reading
book to school each day. Book reports will also be assigned. Any extra time
that a student has should be spent reading!
How much homework do we have each night in language arts?
I assign approximately twenty minutes of homework on most
weeknights, excluding weekends. I will not usually assign any
homework on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Check the web for homework assignments!
How do I contact the teacher?
If you are absent, or just need to get in touch with me, either send me an
email:
amurray@rcsdk8.org or call my homework hotline/voice mail:
916-771-1775 x102.