Homework

 

I will not send a lot of homework home with students.  I feel that work need to meaningful and that homework often tends to become busy work.  I provide enough time in the day to complete the meaningful and intentional work that we do.  If students do not complete the needed work in class it will be sent home for them to finish. I do feel that spelling, reading and math are very important and will require them to spend 30 minutes a day reading and 30 minutes a day on Math.

Reading 

I want my students to develop a love for reading and improve their fluency.  Students will be required read at home for 30 minutes every day and then they will record the information in their reading log.  The reading log will be turned in on Thursday mornings.  Students can read in any language. Books can be student’s choice or pre-approved book report choices.

 Students are expected to complete five book reports and three oral reports during the year.  Two book reports need to be written the other three can either be written or you can chose a book report option off the list provided in the download section of my class blog http://shardshope.blogspot.com or the back of the class student handbook (also can be found on the blog). Students must get the teachers approval of their book by the listed date, list with dates can be found on the blog or in the student handbook they will be given out at a later time.  Each book report will be a different genre- Mystery, realistic fiction, student’s choice, historical fiction, biography/autobiography, student’s choice, and Non-fiction. Students may pick any chapter book that fits their Lexile reading level and the genre.  Lexile reading level will be assessed at school.  Student may read books in other languages but book reports and oral reports must be given in English and book must be approved by teacher.

Spelling 

I feel that spelling is still an important skill for students to learn.  Reading Specialist Susan Jones, M.Ed., has researched how spelling improves reading and writing fluency and how it improves vocabulary and comprehension (Jones, 2009). “Learning to spell helps to cement the connection between the letters and their sounds, and learning high-frequency “sight words” to mastery level improves both reading and writing” (Jones, 2009). In the past I have used the Natural speller word lists for spelling but this year I will be using the Sitton spelling and world skills program.  The program emphasizes correct spelling in everyday writing, not just for an
end-of-the-week test. The application of the written language is wonderful.  This program makes students accountable for proofreading their work, connecting spelling with the real life skills. This approach allows students the chance to study many spelling and word skills while building on the spelling and word knowledge they already possess. They will learn to apply these skills in their everyday writing and become more independent in their attempts to spell the words correctly.

The students will learn 1-2 word study concepts per unit. During the unit students will be engaged in activities designed to build their knowledge of "Core Words" as well as "Priority Words". Units can take from 5-8 days or longer depending on the class schedule. Therefore, tests will be given at the class’s completion of the unit and you will not see the typical Friday spelling tests. Students will be given homework to get ready for the unit tests.

Students will be keeping track of their own word study progress in their spelling journals. They can refer to the Core words in their journal when unsure of a spelling of a previous spelling unit word.

Students will be given their own personal list of "Priority Words". These words are words that the students MUST know and spell correctly 100% of the time, in their personal writing. They will have access to this list every day during class and at home and are encouraged to proof read their written work to make sure these "Priority Words" are spelled correctly. Their copy of the list should remain in their writing folders AT ALL TIMES.

I hope you will join me in supporting the development of your child's spelling and word skill abilities. For further information please visit the Sitton website at:

www.epsbooks.com/sittonspelling

Courtesy of http://www.southingtonschools.org/page.cfm?p=4339http://www.southingtonschools.org/page.cfm?p=4339

Math 

The mathematics program I use is known for producing students that understand math at a deeper level and perform with exceptional results on standardized tests.  Students will use manipulative and story problems as well as apply learning to the real world. To help further this learning and strengthen individual skills students will be required to spend 30 minutes a day on Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org/.  I will send home instruction in how to sign up as part of our class.  Please let me know if your student does not have access to a computer at home and we will make other arrangement to meet these needs for your student.