Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- What is the Science Cafe?
- What is the check out policy for classroom AR books?
- What if I lose or damage a classroom AR book?
- What is the class policy regarding playground equipment?
- What happens if I lose a piece of playground equipment?
- What is a W.O.D.???
- How does the AR program work in our class?
What is the Science Cafe?
The Science Cafe is our 6th grade Science curriculum designed in standards
based, self-paced units. Students choose their own assignments as they work
through mastering the concepts in each unit.
What is the check out policy for classroom AR books?
We have over 300 AR books that I have purchased or that have been donated to
our class by students and parents. If you wish to check out one of these
books you must sign your name and the date on the card inside the cover,
place the card in the box on my desk and ,MOST IMPORTANTLY, when you return
the book you must get the card from the box, enter the return date on the
card, and then place the card back in the book before returning it to the
shelf.
What if I lose or damage a classroom AR book?
If a book you have borrowed is lost or damaged you must replace that book,
or pay for it, before you can check out another. I will accept any AR book
as a replacement (new or used).
What is the class policy regarding playground equipment?
We have several pieces of equipment that I have purchased or that have been
donated to our class. The person asking to take a piece of equipment
outside is the person responsible to make sure it comes back in (even if
they give it to someone else to play with).
What happens if I lose a piece of playground equipment?
If a piece of equipment you have taken out is lost, you must replace it
before you can checkout another piece of equipment. I will accept new or
used replacements.
What is a W.O.D.???
W.O.D. stands for "word of the day". Each day you will be introduced to a
new WOD. You will be given the definition of the WOD, a word it sounds
like, a funny sentence using the new word, and three sample sentences using
it in different ways. You will then write 2 sentences of your own using
the new word. As an added bonus if you use the WOD, correctly,in the normal
course of conversation during the day you get a jolly rancher!
How does the AR program work in our class?
Students must read everyday. The more they read, the better readers they
will become. As they continue on in school they will be responsible to read
and gather information on their own more and more each year. AR books are a
wonderful resource. With AR books students can take tests to check their
comprehension. This helps students learn to read more carefully and teaches
them to identify the important aspects of a piece of literature. HOWEVER,
there are many wonderful, fun things to read, that we do not have AR tests
for. I want reading to be fun for my students! I allow my students to set
their own AR point goals (as low as 1/2 of the goal usually required at
their reading level). That way they have time to read things other than AR
books - magazines, newspapers, almanacs, books of world records - I just
want them reading everyday!
