Mrs. Kerwin

Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of
students and parents.

1. Why do I have to read and take AR tests?
2. Why do I have homework?
3. Why do we sometimes work in groups?
4. Why do we have to do Accelerated Math?

Why do I have to read and take AR tests?

If you want to become a good reader you need to practice.  Just like in
sports, the more you practice, the better you become.  The reading we do in
class is like the coaching you get at practice.  Then you need to take those
new skills and practice them independently--that is what AR does.  AR tracks
your practice and makes sure that you are really using the skills you need to
practice.  The good news is that the more you practice reading, the better you
will read.  You will become faster and your 
comprehension will improve.

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Why do I have homework?

The answer to that question is simple:  there are not enough minutes in each
school day to get everything taught and get in all of the practice too.  Some
of the practice needs to be done as homework.  Homework is important because
you are practicing skills you will
need to build on later in the year.  My homework is not "Busywork".

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Why do we sometimes work in groups?

Group work builds leadership and social skills.  In the real world, most
employment requires that you function well as a team member as well as be a
productive individual. Practice from an early age helps develop these skills
and students will often learn more from each other than they will in a
directed lesson.  Groups will vary and sometimes students will struggle with
one or more members of their group.  That is also a learning experience.

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Why do we have to do Accelerated Math?

AM allows those who need extra practice to get that practice.  At the same
time students who excel in math can move ahead into skills the majority of the
class never gets to.  In short it allows me to 
individualize the math program.

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