Five Ways to Help Your Child With Homework!

1. If your child has a hard time getting started, set a timer when he/she gets home from school for one hour of playtime. When the bell rings, it's time to hit the books.

2. Having a regular work space helps your child develop organizational skills and good work habits. If you can't find room for a desk or table, use a large box that stores away when not in use. Include clear storage boxes or zip-lock plastic bags for easy access to paper, marker, glue, etc.

3. Include homework deadlines on your family calendar. Help your child stay on track by setting interim dates for the steps involved in larger projects.

4. Don't reward speed for offering incentives for finishing homework quickly, like the television or video games. If your child finishes quickly, encourage them to read.

5. Make sure the homework gets handed in on time by designating a convenient and consistent spot like a plastic crate for backpack, homework, hat and gloves, lunch box, and other papers and items that go back and forth every day.

Suggestions for Sharing Stories

Suggestions for Sharing Stories
By: National PTA (2004)

This article from the National PTA features ideas on how to help your school age
child improve their reading skills and tips on how to develop pre-reading skills in
younger children.
When sharing stories with your child, make the time together special, simple,
short and sweet.

Special
Set aside a regular time when you and your child enjoy reading together.
Children love this special attention.
• Pick a comfortable, quiet spot where there will be no distractions.
• Sit together so you both can share the book.

Simple
Start looking through picture books with infants and toddlers. Point to and name
things in the pictures together. Preschool children like to pick books themselves.
As children grow older, they may enjoy reading many kinds of materials: stories,
poems, riddles, plays, books, comics and magazines about their interests.
When reading to your child:
• Read slowly and with feeling.
• Change your voice to match the story line and characters.
• If there are too many words for you or your child, just tell a story to
go with the pictures.

Short
Begin reading to toddlers and preschoolers for about 5-10 minutes. Stop reading
before your child loses interest. As your child's attention span grows, you can
read for a longer time. You may want to read with your school-age child as long
as your child likes.

Sweet
Always keep your book and story sharing fun. It's the love of books that helps
children become good readers.
You don't have to be the only storyteller. Ask grandparents, older children, baby-
sitters, visiting friends and relatives. You can also take your child to story hours
at the library. Encourage young children to make books a part of their playtime-
to tell stories to you, to themselves, and to their friends, favorite dolls, stuffed
animals or even pets.

Be an Active Listener

1. Eyes on the speaker

2. Lips closed

3. Nothing in your hands

Respect Others

Raise your hand to speak
Be kind with words and actions
Be helpful
Work Quietly
Keep your hands and feet to yourself
Work as a team member and cooperate
Encourage others on your team.
Ask before you take something from someone
Say please and thank you

Respect Property

Put materials away in the correct spot.
Treat materials and property with care.
Do not put your mouth or teeth on other people's property.
Do not rock in your chair.
Do not pound or tap on your desk.

Respect Yourself

Stay on task
Be an active listener/Listen to instruction
Come to class on time
Be ready for class/Come prepared with all materials and books
Complete your homework
Participate in class discussion
Use your time wisely
Read a good book after work is done

Supply List

We require that each student have an assignment book. They can be purchased in the office for $4.50. We write our assignments daily so families know what work the students have.

Other school supplies are listed below. I have put a star by the most important supplies. The other supplies are suggested to help your child be prepared and organized.

* 1 Pkg. of Loose-leaf Paper (Have loose-leaf paper available at school at all times)
* 10 Yellow #2 Pencils (Keep at least 2 at school at all times)
1 Pair Headphones or Earbuds
1 Pencil Sharpener
Plain Pocket Folders
* 1 Box of Ziploc Quart Bags (Turn in to me to share with the class)
*1 Box of Ziploc Gallon Bags (Turn in to me to share with the class)
* 2 Spiral Notebooks At Least 70 pages (for math and reading only)
* 1 Pair of Scissors
* 1 Ruler-Inches and Centimeters
1 Glue Stick (No Bottles)
1 Pair of Gym Shoes
* 1 Backpack or Book Bag With Name Written On It
* 3 Large Boxes of Kleenex (Turn in to me to share with the class)
* 1 Yellow Highlighter Marker
* 1 Box of 16 or 24 Crayons, Markers or Colored Pencils
*3 Dry Erase Markers (Turn in to me to share with the class)

Standards Based Grading Sheet

Standard Based Grading Sheet
The reporting scale is used is as follows:

Advanced (4) (Above grade level)= Describes outstanding and consistent application of knowledge that exceeds required level of performance

Proficient (3) (I Did it!)= Describes consistent application of knowledge that meets required level of performance

Basic (2) = (I almost have it.)Describes basic and inconsistent application of knowledge that is approaching the required level of performance

Novice (1) = ( I tried ) Describes limited and inconsistent application of knowledge that is a beginning toward the required level of performance

It is a goal for all students to be "Proficient" or "3" on the skills and knowledge for ( whatever) grade. Earning an "Advanced" score or "4" would communicate that your son or daughter is working at a grade level above the expected performance.