Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- How will I be informed of my child's grades and progress ?
- How will my child be graded in reading ?
- How will my child be scored in Spelling and Language Arts ?
- What about Science and Social Studies grades ?
- How do you determine Math grades ?
- Will there be other assignments throughout the year ?
- What if my child misses a test or other grade ?
- How will the teacher communicate with me ?
- How will I communicate with the teacher ?
- Tips for helping your child have a successful year !
How will I be informed of my child's grades and progress ?
Progress reports will be sent home with your child every 4
1/2 weeks documenting his/her scores in each area. This allows
you to see the progress that is being made in each subject area,
as well as indicating any area that your child may be struggling
in.
Your child will also receive a report card every nine weeks
that will provide scores in reading, spelling, language arts,
math, science, and social studies. The report card will also
identify your child's attendance, and it will indicate any
behavior concerns within the regular classroom, special classes
such as music, art, library, etc., hallway, and cafeteria.
I will also send home notes as needed.
How will my child be graded in reading ?
Throughout each nine weeks, your child will complete many
formal and informal assessments that will help determine his or
her grade. Each week, your child will complete a weekly test over
the reading selection and the targeted skills for the week. Your
child will also receive weekly grades for review assignments,
skill pages, comprehension quizzes, and fresh read quizzes. Your
child will also complete unit reading tests after each unit
of study and an end of the year test. Our county policy mandates
that extra credit assignments are not allowed in reading.
How will my child be scored in Spelling and Language Arts ?
There will be a new set of spelling words weekly with each
new story that focuses on a specific spelling skill. To begin
with, there will be regular spelling words and challenge
words. Weekly tests will be given on Friday. Points are not
deducted for misspelling the challenge word. One challenge word,
however, will be selected for the test that can gain the
student an extra point added onto their final score for a total
of 101 possible points on each test. Throughout each week,
students will also be graded on spelling definitions, spelling
sentences, practice pages, and a definition quiz. Spelling
sentences will be graded for content, subject-verb agreement,
punctuation, and capitalization.
Language Arts scores come from weekly skill tests, unit
tests, writing grades, and a daily scores taken at least 2-3
times per week on class work. Mid-year and end of the year tests
are also given.
What about Science and Social Studies grades ?
Science grades will be determined by daily grades taken on
class work, projects, and chapter tests. This year some grades
will also be taken from a science notebook that your child will
keep during school.
Social Studies grades will be determined by weekly quizzes,
chapter tests, projects, and daily grades on class work.
How do you determine Math grades ?
Math grades will be determined by homework grades, projects,
and weekly skill tests. Students will also be required to keep a
Math notebook that should be very beneficial when studying.
Will there be other assignments throughout the year ?
Your child will have homework. I will try to keep it as
minimal as possible. However, it is very important that they
complete this homework not only because they will receive a grade
for it but also because they need the extra practice on these new
skills to learn them adequately.
At times, your child may also be asked to complete projects
in the classroom and at home. It is very important that they
complete these projects for the very same reasons as above. I
will let you know ahead of time and I can loan items from the
classroom to be used at home to complete these projects if
needed. However, you should keep extra supplies at home to make
completing projects and homework easier for you and your child.
What if my child misses a test or other grade ?
We are only required to allow graded makeup tests and
assignments if your child has an excused abscence, which means
they have a doctor's statement. Please do not make abscences or
tardies (both coming in late or leaving early) a habit,
especially on testing days. It is very disruptive to your
child's education. The teacher will use his/her discretion.
How will the teacher communicate with me ?
Please check your child's backpack daily for communication
from the teacher and the school. Your child should bring a
planner home daily that includes a list of their assignments.
Please check to make sure that your child's tasks are completed,
sign the bottom of the planner for that day, and return it to
school the following day. Your child will also be bringing
notes from the teacher and from the school in the back of this
planner. Check it daily. On Fridays or Mondays, your child will
bring home a folder with work that has been completed. Please
look through it, talk about it with your child if needed, empty
the folder, and record any comments or concerns on the enclosed
signature sheet. Then sign, date, and return it the following
school day.
There may be additional communication through notes, e-
mails, or phone calls throughout the year if needed.
How will I communicate with the teacher ?
You may contact me by phone at work, 699-2222. You can
schedule a meeting after or before school. You may email me by
using the email icon on this page or by using
flemingb1@k12tn.net. You may also write me notes in the
planner or send notes in the pocket in the back of the planner.
I will check these daily. Please contact me as soon as possible
if you have any concerns about your child so that we may address
them as quickly as possible together.
Tips for helping your child have a successful year !
* Help your child be responsible and organized.
-Encourage them to set up a time to study and do work each
night.
-Encourage them to select a quiet place to complete their
work so that they stay focused and can concentrate on the
given task.
-Encourage them to complete their work as their very best
and on their own. Anything worth doing is worth doing
well, and cheating is never helpful in the long run.
-Encourage them to turn in all assignments and projects on
time. Points will be deducted on late work, and missing or
incomplete assignments will receive a zero.
-Help your child understand his/her responsibility for
his/her own learning. No one can complete their work,
study for their tests, keep up with their supplies and
assignments, or pay attention during class but them. How
much they learn and how well they do is up to them. :)
