Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
When will graded papers be sent home?
Papers will be sent home every Friday. A conduct sheet will be included with the papers to inform you of your child's work habits, behavior, and any supplies your child may need. Sign the conduct sheet, do not remove the tickets stapled to the conduct sheet and send it back in the folder. The papers do not need to be returned to the teacher. If you have any questions, you may write a note on the conduct sheet. If there are any papers in question, attach a note to the work and return it with the Friday folder. It is the student's responsibility to bring the paper in question and notes from parents written on the conduct sheet to the teacher's attention.Back to Top
Why does my child have an 'S' for conduct?
Conduct grades are based on the number of conduct marks a student accumulates. Students are given 1 blue ticket each day that can be used later to purchase rewards. Blue tickets will be taken away for not following the class conduct rules which are posted in the classroom. Students will write their name and the conduct rule that was broken on the back of the ticket. At the end of each week, the tickets will be stapled to that week on the conduct sheet so that parents will know their child's conduct which needs improvement. The tickets will remain stapled to the conduct sheet for the entire 9 week period and will be used to determine a cumulative conduct grade for the report card. The conduct sheet states the weekly and cumulative rating systems at the top of the sheet. Students commonly receive conduct marks for talking at inappropriate times, for not having their homework or for not having the required materials for class. Please ask your child throughout the year if he needs to replace any supplies. We will periodically check to make sure each child has the needed supplies at school. We realize that we all make mistakes at times; therefore, students can have 3 tickets taken up during the 9 weeks for conduct and still receive an "E" in conduct.Back to Top
How do I know what homework my child has each day?
The homework assigned each day is written on the board. It is your child's responsibility to record this homework in his student organizer each day. I usually give the students a couple of minutes during class and at the end of each day to write the homework down in the organizer. We do not require parents to sign the organizer. Although it is not required, I try to list daily homework on my website. If you think your child isn't writing in their organizer, you can compare it with my website and discuss this with your child.Back to Top
How much do tests count towards the final grade?
In math, tests are 60% of the grade; daily grades count 40%. In science and social studies, test grades are entered into the gradebook twice and the grades are not weighted.Back to Top
Please write a check to the book club rather than sending cash. Please give your check and book order to the Language Arts teacher.Back to Top
How can I help my child be a better math student?
Helping your child memorize their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts through the use of flash cards will increase your child's confidence and ability to apply the math skills learned in class. In addition, you can use the papers sent home in the Friday folder to review concepts that have been learned. Ask your child what they did wrong on problems that were missed. This will give your child an opportunity to demonstrate that they have learned from their mistake or to receive extra help from you on concepts that need more review. Look at your child's organizer for tests that may be coming up (I give at least a weeks advance notice of tests). Help your child study for the test by doing pages in the book that apply to the chapter or practice problems from papers that have been sent home. Also, if you have a computer, you can help your child learn multiplication facts by downloading a FREE copy of a really neat multiplication game by going to bigbrainz.com.Back to Top
How can I help my child prepare for Social Studies tests?
Encourage your child to study their vocabulary words and the review sheet for the chapter. In addition, go to my page of links and click on the link for Social Studies tests. The link is an excellent way to quiz yourself to see if you are prepared for the test.Back to Top
How can I help my child prepare for Science tests?
Enclourage your child to study their notes and vocabulary daily in science. I use the test to make sure that all needed information is included in their notes. :-) If your child lost their notes, encourage them to call a friend.Back to Top
Why should I check my child's grades on-line?
By checking your child's grades on-line a few times each week, you will be able to learn how well your child is doing so that you can praise them, what topics your child may be struggling with so that you can discuss it with him/her, or if assignments are missing or late (late assignments are 10 pts off each day and by the 4th day, it is a 0%). You may want to teach your child how to look their grades up on-line themself so that they will know how they are doing and to help develop independence. :-)Back to Top