About our Classroom
- When will homework be assigned?
- Student's Homework Responsibility:
- If students do not complete homework/Late Homework
- Why is Homework important?
- What are your classroom rules?
- What are the consequences to inappropriate behavior
- What incentive programs do you have in place?
- What is Tasty Tuesday?
- Why can't we send in candy & cupcakes for parties?
- What is Morning Meeting?
- WHY CAN'T WE SKIP THE 20 MINUTES OF READING TONIGHT????
- My child only eats PB&J - can we still send that in?
When will homework be assigned?
Homework will be assigned Mondays through Thursday nights. Please
remember that young children should ONLY be doing approximately
15-20 minutes worth of assigned homework a night! Homework is
intended to be a review of classwork and to begin to instill a
sense of responsibility in each child.
Nightly reading will not be on the homework sheet, however it is
expected that each child will read for 10-15 minutes each night
in addition to the assigned homework and on weekends. A Reading
Log will be given out at the beginning of each month - due back
at the end. Again, please remember that homework is a short
review of work and in the lower grades a beginning of creating
responsibility.
*NOTE - students may earn homework coupons at various times
during the year. The coupon for one night of no homework may be
used whenever a parent decides but it MUST be signed by you or it
cannot be used!
Student's Homework Responsibility:
Students will be given a homework sheet for the entire week on
Mondays. In addition, students will write their nightly homework
in a PTO supplied Assignment Notebook. Parents are to check this
assignment notebook each night as changes and notices will be
included. Parents are to sign EACH NIGHT in the small squares
on the right side. Assignment notebooks MUST be brought back to
school each day. Homework is expected to be completed on a
nightly basis.
PARENTS MUST SIGN/INITIAL THE ASSIGNMENT PAD EACH NIGHT ONLY WHEN
THE HOMEWORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND CHECKED! If a parent
repeatedly signs the notebook, but the homework is not completed,
then I may call to discuss the discrepancy. Homework also cannot
be sloppy or partially completed and names MUST be on ALL
pages/papers to receive credit. Late homework will not be
accepted if it becomes habitual.
READING LOGS ARE COUNTED AS HOMEWORK! THEY MUST BE COMPLETED!
If students do not complete homework/Late Homework
If your child misses a homework assignment or forgets their
assignment notebook, they will receive a copy of an "OOPS I
forgot my homework&" form. You are asked to sign this form and
return it along with the missed homework assignment the next
day. If I don't receive this form back, I may call to confirm
that you saw it. If there is a legitimate reason why a student
is not able to finish homework, please send a note signed from a
parent to me on the day the homework is due stating the reason it
was not completed. HOWEVER, please DO NOT write a note asking
for extra time if the reason is due to your child leaving their
homework at school. Please remember, this will hurt your child
in the future because it sends the message that it is okay to not
pay attention as we are going over homework each day. If your
child is absent, please contact me and we'll work out a
reasonable amount of time to complete the missed work - both
classwork and homework.
Why is Homework important?
I believe homework is a valuable aid in helping students make the
most of their experience in school. Homework is useful in
reinforcing what has been learned in class, prepares students for
the upcoming lessons, and teaches responsibility.
What are your classroom rules?
This year I decided to adopt a new approach to classroom rules.
For about 2-3 weeks we didn't even HAVE rules! We had MANY MANY
lessons, discussions and books about working together, what being
a school family is, looks like and sounds like. After that
time of getting to know each other, the expectations I had for
their interactions with me and each other, I introduced the class
pledge. It is our promise to each other each day. The students
signed the bottom when they felt ready to commit to this
promise/pledge. Eventually they all did sign it! (whew!).
OUR CLASS PLEDGE
We care about each other and our classroom, We share what we
have, listen carefully, help each other learn, work hard and have
fun together! We understand that everyone makes mistakes, that
we stand up for ourselves and each other and when someone asks us
to stop, we stop! THIS IS WHO WE ARE, EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS
WATCHING!
What are the consequences to inappropriate behavior
Students are expected to follow classroom rules at all times.
Students are told that there are consequences for behavior that
isn't kind, safe or our best. Students who continually break
rules and/or disrupt will be moved away from the group and/or
lose privileges in the classroom. Students are told that any
"time out" is their choice. Students are expected to
continue working while away from the group. At times it may be
necessary for a child to be removed from the classroom in order
for the rest of the children to benefit from their education.
The first step is removal to another 2nd grade classroom with
work for 5-10 minutes. If the behavior continues once the
child is back in the room, then they may be sent to the office
for time-out. At any point during the above mentioned steps,
you may be called or see a note come home to discuss how you can
help the situation. See the parent handbook/student code for
details on more serious negative behaviors and consequences.
What incentive programs do you have in place?
It can be a challenge for a teacher to make sure that the
students who are always on task, respectful and caring get the
recognition they deserve. I will often call students to my desk
during down time and praise them for a job well done with a
sticker or stamp.
In addition, several incentive programs are in effect in our
classroom.
1. Mystery Walker - As we leave the classroom, I will pick a
child my head. They do not know who I have picked to watch as
they walk down the hallway. Since they don't know who it is
they all need to walk appropriately and if the person I picked
does a good job they get a small reward. If they don't I do
not tell who it was I picked, but I do say what it was that the
mystery person was doing wrong in order to correct the
behavior.
2. Table Tally Race - each table is responsible for making
sure their desks, area, books, etc. are neat and that they are
listening and following directions. If a table can get through a
transition quietly and effectively, they are given a tally. The
table who wins at the end of the week earns special rewards and
privileges the following week.
3. Desk Checks and Locker Checks - Without warning during
the day (usually once a week for each) I will yell "DESK CHECK"
or "LOCKER CHECK". Children's desks and lockers are checked as
is and are given a check for neatness. If everyone at the table
gets a check then the table earns another tally. Once each
individual receives 5 checks, you will receive a prize from the
prize box. This encourages them to keep their desks and lockers
neat at all times because you never know!
What is Tasty Tuesday?
See our Tasty Tuesday Page!
Why can't we send in candy & cupcakes for parties?
IMPORTANT MEMO
October 12, 2006
Dear Families,
Recently you received a memo from the Superintendent of Franklin
Township Schools regarding new regulations to promote nutrition
and health for our schools.
Please note the following:
1. No candy, cakes or sweetened drinks are to be part of any
classroom celebration or reward system.
2. If a student is celebrating a birthday healthy snacks are
to be brought in instead of cupcakes, etc.
3. All classroom birthday celebrations are to be no more
than 15 minutes and are to be scheduled for the end of the day.
Absolutely no goodie bags are to go home.
4. Acceptable foods for parties/birthdays: pretzels,
popcorn, veggies and dip, fruits, low sugar yogurt, etc.
Beverages must be 100% juice, milk, vegetable juice or water.
Ice cream is allowed ONLY if it has no more that 40% sugar, fat
or saturated fat. Sugar free varieties are acceptable.
5. These guidelines cover all festivities that we have
during school hours such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Winter,
100th Day, Valentines Day, birthdays, etc.
If you have any questions, please ask me and I will present the
question or request to the office for consideration.
Thank you for your help in keeping our children healthy and
promoting good eating habits!
What is Morning Meeting?
See our Morning Meeting Page!
WHY CAN'T WE SKIP THE 20 MINUTES OF READING TONIGHT????
Student A reads 20 minutes every night;
Student B reads only 4 minutes a night or not at all!
Multiply minutes a night x 5 times each week.
Student A 20 minutes x 5 = 100 minutes
Student B 4 minutes x 5 = 20 minutes
Multiply minutes a week x 4 weeks each month.
Student A reads 400 minutes a month.
Student B reads 80 minutes a month.
Multiply minutes a month x 9 months.
Student A reads 3600 minutes in a school year.
Student B reads 728 minutes in a school year.
Student A reads the equivalent of ten whole school days a year.
Student B reads the equivalent of only two whole school days a
year.
By the end of 6th grade Student A and Student B maintain these
same reading
habits
Student A will have read the equivalent of 60 whole school days
and Student
B will have read the equivalent of only 12 school days.
One would expect the gap of information retained will have
widened
considerably and so, undoubtedly, will school performance.
How do you think Student B will feel about him/herself as a
student?
Which student would read better?
Which student would know more?
Which student would write better?
Which student would have a better vocabulary?
Which student would be more successful in school and life?
My child only eats PB&J - can we still send that in?
Great question! For lunch time in the cafeteria, Peanut butter and nuts are
allowed. However, NO PEANUTS may enter our classroom out in the open. Please
make sure to wrap up any peanut butter sandwiches well. Remind your child to
wash their face and hands after eating lunch so that they don't bring any
traces of the peanut butter back into the classroom.
REMINDER - check all items that you send into the room for snack and parties.
Even trace amounts or "may contain peanuts" can cause harm to our allergic
friends!
We want ALL CHILDREN to be safe, including your own so please be aware of this
important issue!! Thank you!!