Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- Can my child redo papers that come home with low grades.
- Why are some workbook pages or workbook questions marked out?
- Why are some questions marked out on the math tests?
- Where are the graded papers?
- What are the wonders of Horace Mann?
- What will my child be reading?
Can my child redo papers that come home with low grades.
Yes, you may help your child redo a paper. Of course if it is obvious that
the other answer is the only other correct choice then I can't let those be
redone.
But most of the time especially in math the work can be redone. Then I average
the former grade and the new grade together and record the higher grade in the
gradebook.
Why are some workbook pages or workbook questions marked out?
We follow the Fasttrack plan for passing the Oklahoma CRT(criterion referenced
test). The math book is not just for the state of Oklahoma. Therefore, there
are some materials in the book which we do not focus on to the same degree
because they are not part of our pass objectives. Because of this some pages
are simply skipped over in the book and therefore the workbook page is also
not done.
Why are some questions marked out on the math tests?
If the material was not presented in class and taught then I don't test on
those parts either. Most of the time the children are able to answer all the
questions but I don't think it is fair to test over material not taught.
Where are the graded papers?
They do get graded. I am not very good at getting them back in your child's
mailbox to take home. Also your children tend to wander with the papers.
Some they want to admire and they take them back to their desk instead of
putting them in their backpack to take home. Just because you don't see the
work doesn't mean that we are not working. It probably means I didn't get it
mailboxed or graded yet. I spend all my class time with your children and my
prep time is spent working on either the lessons for today or the lessons for
tomorrow. I spend very little of my working day grading papers. I do know
where your children are where they are weak and where they are strong because
of the way I teach. My method is to float about and around your children
while they are working I am not seated but I am working with them. My rule is
let me come to you.
What are the wonders of Horace Mann?
We have been reading the Wonders of Sassafras Springs and I thought it would
be fun for your children to discover the wonders of the ancient world and the
wonders of Horace Mann at the same time.
Wonder 1: We use to have a merry go round Wonder 2: the missing birth
certificate for the second addition to the school. Wonder 3: remnants of paint
from when we used to be painted turqoise. Wonder 4: the retired school trophy
case that now sits in our classroom. wonders 5,6 and 7 will be found this
week as we finish the book and begin a new one.
What will my child be reading?
Our library opens next week. We will be reading a book a day that is my goal
this nine weeks. Yes, your children could with effort read chapter books but
I would rather see them spend this nine weeks discovering all the thrid and
fourth grade level picture books that the library has to offer. I try to set
a goal of reading at least 3 per week and testing on those three. I would
like to have them be able to read at least one book per day and test on that
book. There are rewards for reading and we will be having a classroom store,
open to those who read and pass tests on accelerated reader books. More on
that later.