Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
What should I do if I am going to be absent?
Please try to attend class every day. If you are sick or absent for any other reason, I will prepare a packet of work for you. A parent can pick this up after school, or I will send it home the following day. Make-up work should be completed by the following school day except in unusual circumstances. When we are reading a class novel, it is very important that you keep up with the reading, even when you are absent.Back to Top
How is AR used in enrichment reading?
You will have the opportunity to take AR tests during quiet reading time at the beginning of class and during DEAR time. If it is one of these times, and the computer is free, you do not need to ask to take a test; just do it. Sometimes I will require everyone to take an AR test on a book that we have read in class, and this score will be put in the grade book as an assessment grade.Back to Top
Am I allowed to borrow books from the classroom library?
You are welcome to borrow books from the classroom library as long as you promise to treat them with respect and return them in a timely manner (within 2 weeks). You will need to sign books out on the notepad designated for this purpose. When you return a book, please put it back in the proper place and mark your name off the sign-out sheet. You will be held responsible for any lost or damaged books. You may check out no more than two books at a time.Back to Top
Do we have weekly folders in this class?
You will have a blue folder that will go home each Friday. Sometimes it may be sent home on other days as well. On the night that the folder is sent home, you should have a parent go through the folder. Stuff on the KEEP side can be kept at home. Stuff on the RETURN side is due back the next day. Folders MUST be returned on the next class day after they are sent home, usually Monday.Back to Top
How can I contact the teacher?
There are several ways of contacting me. The easiest way to reach me is via e-mail at geigercl@sbac.edu. You can also call and leave a message with the office staff at Talbot (955-6716). I do not mind if students e-mail me regarding classroom issues or needs. Please do NOT forward me a bunch of cutesy jokes, etc. I don't have time to read them.Back to Top
What is the discipline policy for our class?
While I know it will be unnecessary :), I have the following procedures in place for discipline. If you are disruptive and/or off-task, you will be given a private verbal warning. If your behavior does not improve, you will be given a five-minute in- class time-out. Upon returning to the group, if your behavior does not improve, you will be sent to another classroom for time-out, and your parents will be notified either by note, e- mail, or phone. If this occurs, your parents and I will decide together what the next step in the discipline process should be. It is imperative that every student's learning time is respected and protected. Therefore disruptive behavior will be dealt with speedily and consistently. Successful students are RESPONSIBLE, RESPECTFUL, and ENGAGED.Back to Top
Is it possible to get Extra Credit in the class?
From time to time there will be opportunities for extra credit. Often I will send home notices about events or exhibits that are taking place in the community that I think would complement the classroom curriculum or simply provide an enriching experience for students. If you choose to participate in one of these events, you may receive extra credit by writing a two-paragraph response to the activity. The first paragraph should briefly summarize the event; the second paragraph should provide a reaction to the event (i.e. how it made you feel, what caught your attention, what it brought to mind/connections). Reflection papers should be neatly handwritten or typed with the elements of excellent writing in mind, and they should demonstrate deep thinking about the event experienced. Extra credit points are added to the lowest assessment grade at the end of the grading term.Back to Top
How will my grades be determined?
There are three areas that I consider when calculating grades. The first component is the nightly reading completion and other assigned homework. Because this nightly practice is critical to build fluency and practice independent comprehension skills, 20% of your grade will be based on this factor. The second 20% of the grade is determined by vocabulary tests, homework assignments and other class work. The last portion (60%) consists of assessment measures. These are given at the end of a series of lessons to see if you have mastered the objectives. These assessments may be in the form of a test, an FCAT-like passage with questions, or some other type of summative evaluation (i.e. presentation, project, etc.) Remember, the work we do in enrichment reading is designed to challenge you. It will not be easy, and if you have always gotten "A"s while working on grade-level reading tasks, it may be a little disconcerting for you to suddenly have to put forth more effort in reading. Just keep trying your best. You will grow as a reader and thinker, but only if we stretch out of that "comfort zone" a bit. The grading scale for our class is: A 90-100 C 70-76 B+ 87-89 D+ 67-69 B 80-86 D 60-66 C+ 77-79 F 0-59Back to Top
One of the goals of my class is to help you learn to live "wide-awake lives." I want you to begin to notice things going on around you in your community as well as the world. I want you to become thoughtful observers of natural phenomena as well as other people and their actions. I also want you to learn to be introspective, thinking deeply about your own ideas, feelings, and thoughts. Your journal will be a repository for these musings. I will be further explaining the purpose and use of the journal in class. We will be "Writing to Tell" in class at least once per week, and we will share our writings. I will also be randomly selecting several journals to read (not aloud) from time to time. If you write something personal that you do not want me to read, simply fold the page over. I promise to respect your privacy.Back to Top
What are the procedures for nightly reading?
You are expected to read for 30 minutes each night on Monday through Friday. This practice has been proven to increase reading achievement. It also helps you develop responsibility, independence, self-discipline, and the life-long habit of reading. I do not accept excuses for incomplete nightly reading except in the case of emergencies. In the event of such an emergency, you must bring a note from a parent. You can then read additional minutes on the following nights to make up for the missed reading time. After reading, you should complete the Reading Log which is stapled into your planner each week. Old logs are removed and new logs stapled in each Friday. This Reading Log will be checked by me each day, and in order to receive credit for the reading homework, I expect each section of the Log to be completed thoughtfully. Reading summaries and/or reflections should contain quality writing. Completion of nightly reading comprises a weekly homework grade and impacts overall report card averages. Any reading holidays will be announced in advance. A Weekly Reading Percentage report will be sent home each week in the communication folder.Geiger Greenbacks may be used to replace a night's reading assignment. To use a Geiger Greenback for this purpose, it must be stapled to your reading log before it is turned in on Friday.Back to Top
Fourth graders will have planners which are to be checked nightly and signed by parents. In the planner you will list class assignments and homework responsibilities. Homework assignments should be highlighted. Unless otherwise noted, homework is due on the following day.Back to Top
What do I need to know about weekly vocabulary tests?
We will emphasize improving written and spoken vocabulary skills throughout the year. You will have weekly vocabulary tests covering a list of words sent home on the previous Friday. I suggest that you make index cards over the weekend to practice throughout the week. There will cumulative exams of the vocabulary, so you should keep all lists and cards and review them frequently. Cumulative quizzes will be announced and noted in the planner. Because a "word bank" is provided on the tests, you are expected to spell words correctly on all tests and quizzes; points will be deducted for misspelled words. You should study your vocabulary words for a few minutes each night.Back to Top
WordMasters is a national vocabulary/analogy competition. We will have three WordMasters meets throughout the year. I will explain the program more thoroughly in class. However, I want to emphasize here that you should not wait until the night before the meet to start studying your words. While we will do some activities in class to help you learn the definitions of the words, the majority of your learning of these words will take place on your own. I do not give you a grade for your performance on WordMasters. However, Mrs. Cochran does do so in fifth grade. It is a good idea to take it seriously so that you are better prepared for next year.Back to Top