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Mrs. McBee |
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FAQFrequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
Tests will be announced at least one week ahead of the test date. Testing for core subjects needs to happen when the material has been covered in depth and it is felt the class is ready for the test. Assigning dates too far in advance often does not allow for adequate student understanding. Students know they need to correct all errors in red without erasing their initial answer, and then show the test to their parents for signature. We have discussed that the textbook should be used for corrections. If help is needed students should ask a parent or their teacher when they bring the test back to school. Do parents need to sign all tests? Spelling is the only test that does not need a parent signature. What is a Parum Paratus Slip (Green Slip)? Parum Paratus is Latin for "not quite prepared". Green Slips are meant to help students assume responsibility for both being prepared for class and completing homework assignments. Repeated Green Slips result in a thirty minute detention. This time is meant to be a quiet reflection and short writing assignment concerning what changes need to be made in order to develop new habits concerning class preparation. Discussions with parents and teachers may be needed to find specific ways to help make needed changes. Students are to turn in any missed assignment with the Green Slip the next day. What determines when a student needs to stay for a Green Slip Detention? Expectations for fourth, fifth and junior high grades are different. Since fourth graders are working on developing good study skills, they are allowed four Green Slips relating to missed assignments before needing to stay for Detention. Each time a homework assignment is missing, we look at the assignment book to see if the assignment was copied correctly and discuss what led to the work not being completed. Fourth grade students are allowed six Green Slips for not being prepared for class. Since fourth grade is the beginning of switching classes, we are working on thinking about what is needed as they travel to other classes before they leave their homeroom. The goal is to avoid the need to return to their homeroom to get missing materials, or to have to borrow from a classmate. Class time is lost while waiting for students to take care of these types of situations. This year there has been consistent improvement each quarter in students coming to class with the correct supplies. In the past we have seen a need for students to take this seriously in order to make good use of classtime. We have discussed the importance of showing consideration for fellow classmates who are prepared by taking the time each day to think about what they need before they leave their homeroom. Students are developing the responsible habits they will need in fifth grade and as they move into Junior High. Why do students sometime receive a Green Slip for doing even problems in Math? If the directions are to do only odd problems at home, students are always asked to complete the even problems in class for grading. In order to be fair to those students following directions as given, all students need to do this work independently without the possibility of help. If a few evens are done at home it is excused. Doing all evens though, even if they are erased, is usually an indication of rushing into homework without checking the assignment book. Aside from the need for independent evaluation, the habit of checking to see exactly what homework has been assigned is an important study skill that is consistently stressed in fourth grade. What is the time of fourth grade Green Slip Detention? Detention for fourth grade, and fifth grade, students is thirty minutes from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. Students will be escorted to the front of the school at 3:45. Where is Green Slip Detention held? Fourth and fifth grade Green Slip Detention is held in one of the fourth or fifth grade classrooms. What is the difference between Green Slip Detention and Blue Slip Detention? Green slips involve academic areas and for the Intermediate Department are only for thirty minutes. Blue Slip Detention concerns behavior issues and is held with the Junior High Department for one hour. When a student is absent how is homework sent home? When a student is absent, parents need to request homework be sent home with instructions concerning who to give the materials to at the end of the day. How much time is a student allowed to complete missed work? Homework is not expected the day after being absent. Usually the student and teacher will work out a plan, depending on the amount of time missed. It is the students responsibility to inquire about what they missed and take steps to catch themselves up as quickly as possible. Assignments are not usually excused due to absences. Students should obtain any missed notes or materials from the teacher or a classmate upon returning to school. What if a student is absent the day before a test? Students do not have to take a test their first day back. Time is needed to make up any review that might have been missed and to study. It is understood that if a student has been sick they probably did not feel like preparing for a test so reasonable time is allowed. Students are expected to begin studying at least two nights before a test. In order to be fair to all students, those who do not prepare adequately are not allowed to retake the test. Exceptions are made in unusual situations. Why are students being asked to do nightly math skill papers? In order to be successful in Math classes, basic facts must be memorized. Test scores have repeatedly indicated that students are not taking this seriously enough. The nightly three minute timed tests are meant to help students determine what they need to work on, and then experience success in moving through their facts easily. Are Green Slips written if a student does not do the nightly timed test? No. Students earn three points if they turn their sheet in each day. The only negative consequences for not doing the timed test is not earning the three points and not advancing in their math fact skills. |
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