Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common
questions of students and parents.
- What is a special?
- How much time should my child spend on homework?
- When I ask my child what she did at school all day, she says "nothing."
- How will my child be challenged in school?
- My child has some academic difficulties. How will her/his needs be met?
- How will my child learn math this year?
What is a special?
Specials are usually 50-minute periods when students go to art,
music, or physical education (P.E.). First graders will be
starting with music and P.E.
How much time should my child spend on homework?
Children should read with an adult or on their own every night,
in whatever way is enjoyable to you as a family. Activities on
the homework calendar should take ten to twenty minutes each,
four times a week.
When I ask my child what she did at school all day, she says "nothing."
Your first grader is very busy all day long, yet it can be
difficult to recount the day's activities. I find I have
difficulty answering this question,not because we did nothing,
but because it is hard to explain and perhaps not that
interesting to outsiders. Don't despair! There are many ways to
stay informed about your child's school year. Weekly emails from
me, the website, popping in for a visit, report cards and
conferences are all good ways to find out how and what your child
does in school all day.
How will my child be challenged in school?
No one wants a child to be bored and unengaged in school. I enjoy
setting goals with children, finding out from them what their
interests are and what they would like to work on. I also am a
good observor and love looking for opportunities to develop a
child's skills, interests, and creativity. I believe all
children can be challenged when they are given opportunities to
solve problems and make connection across disciplines,work on
engaging projects, and make choices about their goals and
activities.
My child has some academic difficulties. How will her/his needs be met?
The staff at LME is a very dedicated, collaborate team. We take
advantage of every resource we can find to make sure each child
is getting what he or she needs in order to learn successfully.
As a teacher, I have been trained in teaching methods for
dyslexic and dysgraphic children, English Language Learners, and
a number of other areas. I believe each child can be successful
when we build on their strengths and interests.
How will my child learn math this year?
Children become strong mathematicians through applying their
knowledge of numbers and shapes in meaningful ways to solve
problems. As a team we use two programs that emphasize deep
mathematical thinking as the children continue to develoop their
knowledge of the number system and geometry. INVESTIGATIONS is a
program that allows children to explore mathematical concepts
through fun activities. The distric math program is called
ENVISIONS. That allows for more practice with individual number
skills. We also supplement these two programs with a variety of
games, projects, and practice materials.