Typical Pittsburgh Style: under construction!
Planner/Homework:
Your child will receive a daily planner to record his/her homework. Planners are for your child, and you, to know exactly what homework is assigned. I will list the assignments on the board each day, but it is your child’s responsibility to write it in their planner. It will go home every night to be signed. By signing it, you are letting me know that you are aware of the work, and that it is completed. The use of these planners proves to be a great way to teach children to be organized and responsible for daily tasks. I will stop at the end of each subject and guide the children through this process over the next few weeks. Thereafter it becomes their sole responsibility. Tests are posted on the board at the beginning of each week. If your child comes home Monday without anything written in for the week, then you know that they did not take the time given to copy it down off of the board.
Homework is a vital part of your child’s education. It is a reinforcement of what I teach in class that particular day. Their assignments (with the exception of studying for tests) should not take up a great deal of time once they get into the routine of school. If you see your child is devoting an exceptional amount of time to their work, please alert me as soon as possible, so that we can work together to pinpoint where the problem lies.
If your child forgets their work at school one night, don’t worry! Please do not bring your child back up to school to get it.The more we do to save them from failure, the less we do to ensure the growth that they need to succeed in life. They can work on it the next morning before we start our day, as there is plenty of time to complete it. If this becomes a routine for your child, we will work out a plan to get them more organized and responsible for themselves.
Different methods (partial sums/trade first) are used to give children a greater number sense; please encourage them to explore these methods.
Ultimately, they need to pick the method that works best for them and stick to it to avoid confusion.
Each child has received their and password to access the McGraw-Hill website. Your child can use this to read their story, study spelling words, review vocabulary and play games that reinforce the skills being taught in class.
Accelerated Reader:
My goal for each child is to earn 1 point each week in Accelerated Reader; however each child should strive to raise their own personal goal as the year progresses. I feel that this will give them a good foundation for 4thgrade, as it will be a part of their grade next year. Please keep in mind that any “down time” given in class is devoted to AR so this goal should be attainable for everyone.
However, if a student is done with their work prior to the end of class, it is my philosophy to enrich them in the subject area that I am teaching. If I am teaching math and your child is done early, they will not be permitted to AR read, but will then be given additional math that will enhance their math skills.
Social Studies:
- Study Guides are provided for most tests.
- Taught for 4 ½ weeks of each nine weeks
-
The Heritage Project, a family oriented assignment, gives students the opportunity to research their personal history. More information will come in the spring!
- Science is a hands-on learning experience.
- We use a Science Notebook to complete investigations.
- Most grades in Science come from the student’s notebook.
- A Science Bookmark/Scorecard is provided to show your child how to earn all 23 points for each investigation.
- Taught for 4 ½ weeks of each nine weeks
Handwriting:
- No longer graded.
- We do practice it weekly as morning work.
Writing:
- May become homework at times for revision and editing.
- I will send home a writing scorecard with your child’s grade on it after work is completed.
- All writing will stay at school and will be sent home in a Writing Portfolio at the end of the year.
Specials: (9:50 – 10:30)
Day 1 ~ Gym
Day 2 ~ Computers
Day 3 ~Library
Day 4 ~ Homeroom
Snack Break:
Our lunchtime is from 12:25 – 12:55. We will be taking a healthy snack break in the morning. If your child wishes to eat a snack, they must bring one in. I will only permit healthy food items such as fruit, vegetables, cheese, pretzels, etc. Please, no junk food!
Birthdays:
We are always excited to celebrate the birthday of every child in class! If you would like to send in a treat to share with the children, please follow these guidelines:
- no peanuts
- 22 students in our class
- if your treat requires napkin or utensils, please provide
- if your child would like to pass out invitations in class I am always willing to help~ keep in mind that mailing them is always best as it eliminates hurt feelings.