Dear parents and students,
Lots of changes are happening in my classroom. One, I have changed the spelling schedule, with having 9 different spelling groups and to meet the needs of all my students, we are trying a rotating schedule.
Monday: Gold and Purple
Tuesday: Blue
Wednesday: Silver
Thursday: Red
Friday Green
They will get their words on their specific day of the week and will test the following week and get their next set of words. Hopefully this way, I can stay on track and not be overwhelmed with trying to get 9 spelling tests taken in one day. I have also changed the Spelling Activites page to read task 1 instead of Monday's job. So please check out the Spelling Activities page for their Spelling Tasks.
Two, I have started a new way to keep up with their work in class. (the dreaded paper trail) They are not to turn papers in unless I ask for them. I will check off their name when/if they turn in a specific assignment. So on the grade book, if you see that there is a msg on an assignment for them, it is because they did not turn it in and it is considered missing. If it is blank, then I have not graded the assignment yet. If they receive a grade below a 70, they can correct the assignment and 70 will be the highest score that they can receive. There is also a correction sheet that they should fill out and a parent signature needs to be on the correction form. They also have one week to make the corrections, after that week has passed, the original grade stands.
RESEARCH PAPER:
We have started our American Artist Research papers this week. We have learned how to research on the internet, hopefully take some short concise notes and to properly cite their sources. They are to have at least 3 sources for their paper. We are going to start organizing their notes on Monday and start to actually write their papers. If they have not completed their research in class, they are to finish their research at home. If they don't have their papers on how to cite their sources, it is located on my wikispaces website.
Please do not have them start writing their papers at home, I would like for us to do this together in class.
BOOK REPORT:
Their first book report is due on Monday, November 30th. I have given them 4 sheets of paper outlining exactly what they need to have. They will also need to complete "8 squares" for their book. The "8 squares" will also help them with the information that they will use to write their book report. Please ask them what book they plan on writing their book report on. They should know which book they plan on writing about and they should be done reading it or just about done reading it.
If you have not checked my wikispaces website, please take some time and check it out. It is still a work in progress, so if you have any suggestions or thoughts please let me know.
haleshot.wikispaces.com
Please check Ms. Witschorke's teacher web page for assignments in Math and Science.
Thank you for sharing your child with me, I am absolutely enjoying each and every one of them!
Diane Hale