Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- How can I help my child at home with phonics?
- What can you tell me about AR Test?
- How can I help my child with grammar skills?
- What can I do about my child's handwriting?
- What about parent conferences?
How can I help my child at home with phonics?
On the bottom of the homework is a parent note. This will explain what
phonics rule your child learned during class. Go over this with your child
and see if they can demonstrate the rule. You can also visit the Saxon
Phonics website:http://www.saxonpublishers.com/activities
What can you tell me about AR Test?
Each Friday our class will go to the Library and checkout AR books. Your
child should take their book home each day and bring it back each day.
This allows plenty of time for them to read it at least three times before
taking a test.I do require my students to be ready to take their AR test on
Friday before we go to the Library to get a new one. Please allow your child
to practice their reading skills at home while you listen to the story. When
they are done, ask them questions about the story. This will help
prepare them for the test.
How can I help my child with grammar skills?
This is a new concept for first graders and it takes a lot of repetion. We
will be spending all year working on the skills they need but if you would
like to practice this at home you could give them two sentences written
incorrectly for them to correct.
What can I do about my child's handwriting?
This is truly a hard thing for some children. They say that doing a lot of
cutting with scissors will help develop the small motor skills used in
handwriting. Some students just need to be reminded to take their time.
This is another thing we will work on all year. The best thing is practice.
What about parent conferences?
It is common for parents to talk among other parents about how their child
did on a paper or is doing overall in the classroom. Please keep in mind
that you are comparing two different children. If you really want to know
how your child is doing I am more than happy to schedule a conference where
we can discuss your child's strength's and weaknesses and any concerns that
you may have. However, please keep in mind that this must be done before
8:30 or after 3:30 and not during instructional time.This is against school
policy. If you come in after 8:30 and I appear unapproachable it is because
I am preparing the things we will be needing for the day's instruction and
trying to get the children started with our day. If you would like a
conference I will set aside a time just for you and we can discuss any
concerns you may have without interruption.