The ABC’s of Room 20
Absences
If your child is absent, they must bring a written excuse with them upon
their return to school. They will be given their missed work when they
return and will have 3 days on which to complete and return it. If they miss
a test, they will be expected to complete it when they return, unless they
have missed several days.
AR
Each child will have their own required points for each nine weeks. After we
take the STAR test, I will give them their points needed and will notify you
also. If they receive anything below an 80 on their test it is not passing
and does not count. (The goal is for each student to average 80% or higher on
each test). They are given 20 minutes daily to read and take tests in the
classroom, but I really need you to make sure they are reading their books at
home independently and know the content before they take a test. AR books can
go home everyday but the children must bring them back the following day
(they have to have their book to take a test).
Birthdays
It is against school policy to have birthday parties in the classrooms. If
you wish to celebrate your child’s birthday at school, please plan it during
lunch time, or let me know in advance and we can plan to have it outside in
the afternoon.
Dog Books
Please check your child’s dog book daily for any papers sent home regarding
homework, projects, or other current classroom information that you need to
be made aware of.
Grades
Muscogee County uses a ten point grading scale. Grades will be determined by
daily classwork, tests, projects, and homework. Grades that are circled are
recorded in the gradebook. If a grade is not circled, then it means that
this is a skill we are still working on and it was not recorded in the
gradebook. The Muscogee grading scales is as follows:
A – 100-90
B – 89-80
C – 79-70
F – Below 70
Homework
You will notice that I will not be sending a lot of homework home. Mrs.
Collins read a book over the summer titled Rethinking Homework and that has
really opened my eyes about how to better utilize homework. I am only going
to send homework home when I feel the children need reinforcement in a
standard or skill. This means that homework will probably not come home every
night and it will not always be the same thing for every child. I am really
going to focus on making homework more individualized, in other words if your
child can multiply by 3’s then I will not have them do a sheet at home, I
will have them work on another standard or skill they are having trouble in
such as, multiplying by 9’s. Please check the homework link on the website
and their Dog Books for homework.
Conferences/Correspondence
*Please feel free to contact me whenever you have any questions or
concerns. You may reach me at school (748-2617/2618)or via email
ajaindl@mcsdga.net. I would like to have your email address, if
you have one. Many times, we can communicate back and forth faster via
email.
*I will be happy to set up conferences at any time; however, I will
not be able to talk with you at length before, during, or after school
without an appointment because I will be busy preparing for instruction,
teaching, or assessing student work.
Millionaire Book Challenge
*Most of you will be familiar with this from last year. Research
has shown that when a child reads 1,000,000 words (on grade level), that
his/her reading level is significantly increased. In second grade, it is
estimated that 125 books - on grade level - accounts for approximately
1,000,000 words. You will notice a reading log, printed on golden yellow
paper, will always be located in your child’s D.O.G. book. Please record
all of the books your child reads on that form.
*F.Y.I. - Any books your child read over the summer will count towards the
millionaire goal. Simply list the titles on the reading log.
*When your child reaches millionaire status, your child’s picture
will be posted on our ‘Wall of Frames’ outside of the
cafeteria. Students who have reached the millionaire goal will be
recognized at the end of each nine weeks.
Microtype
The students will practice proper typing techniques each week. They will be
taught proper hand placement, using ‘home row keys’, a few letters at a
time. After sufficient practice, children will pass one lesson at a time,
based on the designated speed required for each lesson (words per minute).
Students will be graded based on successful completion of each lesson, using
the following time line:
1st nine weeks: lesson 1
2nd nine weeks: lesson 2
3rd nine weeks: lesson 3
4th nine weeks: lessons 4 & 5
Progress Report
These are provided during the fourth week of each grading period to let you
know what your child’s grade average in each subject is at that point in
time.
Science/Social Studies
We will alternate studying Science and Social Studies, each for 3 weeks at a
time. We will start the year studying Social Studies. Most of our Science
and Social Studies work will occur in class, but you may use the applicable
pages in the weekly papers that are sent home to help your child study the
content for the Science and Social Studies tests. Also, your child may bring
the appropriate textbook home for additional studying any time.
Snacks
The children can bring a snack each day for afternoon recess. I do not
supply snacks or keep them in the classroom for the students; they will have
to bring their own daily.
Water Bottles
The children are strongly encouraged to bring a water bottle daily. Research
shows that children who drink a lot of water stay hydrated and are therefore
more able to focus and think. The only thing I request is that they bring
water in them and not other kinds of drink and it has a top that can be
closed to prevent spills. They will be allowed to fill it up during the day.
Progress Reports
*A progress report will be sent home about halfway through the nine
weeks grading period to let you know your child’s average at that
time. Please sign it and return it the next day.
Signed papers
*Signed papers will be sent home each week, but the day may vary.
So, please make sure to look for them in the designated pocket of your
child’s D.O.G. book, as you’re checking homework and going over Spelling
words each night. Please sign the top paper, put the stack back in your
child’s D.O.G. book, and have your child return them the next day.
****Note: Your child’s weekly papers are my communication to you about how
your child is doing!! Please look at them carefully! This is your
opportunity to praise your child for a job well done or to discuss any areas
of concern.
Spelling
*Your child will get the Spelling list for the week each Monday, and
there will be a test each Friday. There are 15 words on each list. Please
help your child study these by doing practice tests, having your child write
each word a number of times, calling the words out, etc.
*On Spelling tests, there will also be 5 dictation sentences. These
sentences will not be given out to study in advance because they are made up
of sight words, spelling words, and vocabulary words that the students have
already had and should know how to spell.
Tests
*Spelling tests and comprehension tests will be every Friday.
Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies will fall at the end of
chapters and units. Reminders about upcoming tests will be listed on the
homework assignment page and on the web site, approximately a week in
advance. In all subjects, the content covered on the weekly papers that are
sent home can be used to prepare for tests.
Transportation
*Each parent has already filled out transportation information.
Just be reminded....if your child is to get home any way other than his/her
daily mode of transportation from school, I will need that information in
writing. I will not take your child’s word for it if he/she says, “My
mother told me to...ride home with....go to the after school program.....go
out front so my grandmother can pick me up, etc.”
This is school policy. In the event of a last minute, unexpected change,
please call the office. Thank you for your assistance and understanding
with this. It can be quite a task to keep up with frequent changes in
transportation, and the safety of the children is paramount.