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Mrs. Chartoff 's Fifth Grade |
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FAQStill under construction some may change --Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
What should I do if I left my Writer's Notebook in school? A parent should write me a note letting me know that their child forgot their notebook. I will make sure the child is prepared the next night by checking their folder. Meanwhile, the student should still write on another piece of lined paper for 10 minutes and staple it into their notebook the next day. I am looking at the content, not the amount. During September and October, I want children to write personal narratives (about what they know--their lives). In class, we will do the same focusing on verbalizing a plan or mapping it (5 minutes). At home this may be a few minutes to tell in detail what happened at a playdate, scouts, soccer practice... Then the child should write all about it. If it helps use picture prompts from your latest pictures or have child draw a picture and write about it. Write for 15-20 minutes. Next night, reread and add more details or fix any words by adding more letters of sounds you hear. Spend no more than 15 minutes. At this point, the personal narrative (also referred to as "Tiny Moment" or "Treasured Moment") is ready to share with Mom and Dad. They may recall some details described during the planning stage, take the time to add the details and turn in. Most importantly, do not write on a separate page and copy into the journal. I do not expect final, completely edited drafts. If parents offer help,please use a pen to write the period or fix a name. Parents are encouraged to use the journal as a way to communicate to me any concerns or questions about their child's writing. What is the best way to contact Mrs. Chartoff? Send a note with your child or email me using the email link on the homepage. pchartoff@ebnet.org FYI: I will always reply to your email as soon as I see it(checked daily). I may not have time to answer a question completely, but will at least reply "Thank you" or "I got it." Last year, I had a few problems with the districts SPAM filters holding parent emails, so please assume I did not see the email if I do not reply. Sound familiar. Well, although writing can be a deeply satisfying activity for kids, it is also tough. Let's try to use this wonderful vehicle of personal expression in the Home Journals as an outlet for children's creativity. First of all, as I mentioned above children should write about what they know if they are having trouble getting started. Simply starting on the blank page is not the way children should get started. They need to use the writing process. It's too discouraging and frustrating for many children to look at the blank page and think of how to get started. What to write about. How to spell. How to form the letters. Stay on topic. Not to mention all the other things one could be doing instead. In the classroom, we often plant an idea, a seed, that all will help get the juices flowing. ows for their imaginations to create. That's the purpose of the prompts being assigned at first. Think of them as a way to get started. We all need ideas to get started. In Writer's Workshop we start the year by writing about what we have experienced--Tiny Moment Stories or personal narratives. When your child begins to choose their own topic talk with them about what has happened in their life recently. Ask your child if they can picture it in their head. Then have them go write otherwise the child may sit at the table saying he/she doesn't know what to write. It may be about a gift they received or a trip to the park. Otherwise, get a picture from your family album or out of a magazine and have your child use it to get started. Writing Process Basics: Make a plan-chose a topic. Then encourage your child to brainstorm/web or list the phrases that remind them of their ideas. (5-7 minutes) Next, the child should use the web as a guide to stick to the topic as they write for about 15 minutes. Then stop and review making sure all Word Wall Words are spelled correctly. Capitals are used correctly. Etc... sometimes parents may need to say, "Find the 2 places you left out a capital letter." You don't have to fix every error. The next day, have your child reread what they already have before writing another 10-15 minutes to add details or continue writing,if needed. Review, proofread and turn in. If it is not "done" then write work in progress and finish the following week. See handout sent in Back to School Night packet about how to complete the journal entries. What kinds of drinks may I send for my child to drink in the classroom? I prefer water bottles. On really hot days Gatorade is also a great idea. Juice boxes are okay with snack. Please write your child's name on the container with a Sharpie before sending it to school. Bottles are kept all together (Water Station) not on desk. No glass. No soda will be allowed. What kinds of snacks may I send? Apples, any fruit or vegetables, pretzels, cereal bar, granola bar, yogurt, crackers...small healthy snacks. NO CANDY, CHEESE DOODLES OR ANY POTATO CHIPS. I do have a small refrigerator in the classroom if a child needs to store something such as a yogurt or cheese snack they may do so. We have snack daily. At Back to School Night, I will have a monthy sign up sheet for anyone who would like to donate snacks. I like to keep snacks on hand for those students who forget to bring one. We have snack every day mid- morning. Keep in mind that a web is a great graphic organizer for writing about one topic. However, we use Venn Diagrams to compare similarities and differences. We use a T-chart which is two columns to organize and compare two topics. In October and November, we will also practice using a Four Square graphic organizer to organize our paragraphs. |
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