Planner
This year we will be using a daily planner (provided by the school) with your child. The planner will be used as a communication tool for homework, behavior and positive things I see and hear throughout the day. Please check it over with your child daily - I would love to see your initials or signature so I know you are aware of what is happening in our classroom. Students will earn "Koehn Cash" by having their planner signed by an adult or older sibling that has checked for the completion of homework.
Homework
Your child will be responsible for writing daily homework assignments for each day during the week in their planner. Spelling, Independent Reading, Homework Practice Pages (for math), addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts practice should be the bulk of homework this year. Social Studies and Science will probably have review work to go through before chapter tests. Work should be turned into the homework basket in the classroom. I will be using work done at home as a guide to help me understand how your child is making progress in their learning. If an assignment is not able to be completed independently, I ask that you write a note at the top of the page so I can find time to reteach the skill at school. Your child may have to spend time practicing skills during our Independent Work Time scheduled at 7:30 and 2:30 during the day.
Spelling - I will be giving the spelling list to your child on Fridays the week before the words will be tested. The lists are available on the Spelling City Website as well (we only have access to the free version). A daily practice page will be done in school and practice work may be writing the words 2 times. I will check to make sure practice is done correctly, but will not use this work as part of their spelling grade. Verbally practicing the words, writing the words in the sand, making the words with play-dough letters and typing the words on the computer are additional ways you and your child could practice the words so your child is ready for the test given on Thursday.
Independent Reading - Accelerated Reading is a component of our Language Arts Program and is meant to motivate your child to read independently. 15-20 minutes (or more) of reading each day will greatly enhance your child’s ability to gain vocabulary, fluency and comprehension skills. Our goal for this trimester is to read 15 books (picture books) or earn 12 AR points (chapter books). Goals will be adjusted during 2nd and 3rd trimesters according to your child's reading level and ability. Part of your child's reading grade will be determined by meeting AR goals and comprehension test scores.
Math Practice Pages - A math homework page will be in your child’s take home folder most evenings. Directions for the homework will be at the top of the page and will reflect the lesson taught during the day, or review skills taught earlier in the unit. A text book can also be taken home or found online to help with homework. This reinforcement of math concepts is very important, and is a great way for you to be informed about skills that are taught.
Math Facts - As part of your school supplies, you were asked to purchase a set of multiplication and division flash cards. Begin to practice multiplication facts by sorting the facts into x1, x2, x3, x4, x5 etc., and master one group of facts, then move on to the next group. Your child will be taking weekly timed tests, and practicing at home will help your child become more confident in all areas of math. 20% of your child’s math grade is based on scores from these weekly tests.
Behavior Plan
Being respectful, responsible and safe are the major focus in the expectations for behavior in our building. If I need to remind your child a number of times about inappropriate behaviors, I will ask him or her to put a CB in his or her planner letting you know that disrespectful behavior is occurring in the classroom. I will usually write a short note explaining why the CB is in the planner. Blurting out answers, shouting voices, snappy (sassy) responses and running are samples of things I consider unacceptable behavior in our school.
Bathrooms, hallways and the playground have been trouble spots for some students in the past. If your child is acting unsuitably, I will have them write an OB in their planner. Again, shouting voices, name calling, pushing and running are things I consider inappropriate.
If your child receives a stamp or sticker for the day, your child and I had a great day at school! I hope to be giving out many, many stamps and stickers.
Just a reminder - if the following appear in your child’s planner, he or she may need to spend time in a time out outside of the classroom (hallway), lose reteaching or free choice time, or visit with Mrs. Schultz, our building principal.
HW - homework was not complete or turned in
CB - disrespectful behavior in any classroom (art, music, phy. ed., media center)
OB - inappropriate behavior in or around the bathroom, hallway, playground or cafeteria
Students will also have the opportunity to earn (or lose) “Koehn Cash” based on behavior. Your child will receive a dollar for homework that is completed and turned in and for being an example of good behavior for others. A second Koehn Cash can be earned for having a signature in their planner. If your child collects ten dollars during the week, he or she will be able to purchase a raffle ticket. We will hold a raffle drawing at the end of each month for various prizes. One dollar will be enough to purchase a smaller item. Twenty dollars will purchase two raffle tickets.
Schedule
Our lunch time is at 11:17.
Our specialist schedule is on a five day rotation. The first day of school (Thursday, September 10) was a Day 4.
Day 1 - Art
Day 2 - P.E.
Day 3 - Music
Day 4 - Social/Emotional Learning or Media
Day 5 - P.E.
Miscellaneous Information
If your child will be visiting a friend’s house, picked up by a grandparent or if there are any other changes to your child’s after school routine, your child will need an e-mailed or written note informing us of the change.
A birthday is a special day to celebrate! We will recognize your child’s special day on or as close to the actual day (if on a weekend) as we can. Summer birthday’s will be celebrated on half birthdays - example, June 17th would be celebrated on December 17th.
Please feel free to call, e-mail or write a note in the planner with questions or concerns you may have. I can also arrange a conference or meeting time if you would rather chat with me in person.
This year we will be using a daily planner (provided by the school) with your child. The planner will be used as a communication tool for homework, behavior and positive things I see and hear throughout the day. Please check it over with your child daily - I would love to see your initials or signature so I know you are aware of what is happening in our classroom. Students will earn "Koehn Cash" by having their planner signed by an adult or older sibling that has checked for the completion of homework.
Homework
Your child will be responsible for writing daily homework assignments for each day during the week in their planner. Spelling, Independent Reading, Homework Practice Pages (for math), addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts practice should be the bulk of homework this year. Social Studies and Science will probably have review work to go through before chapter tests. Work should be turned into the homework basket in the classroom. I will be using work done at home as a guide to help me understand how your child is making progress in their learning. If an assignment is not able to be completed independently, I ask that you write a note at the top of the page so I can find time to reteach the skill at school. Your child may have to spend time practicing skills during our Independent Work Time scheduled at 7:30 and 2:30 during the day.
Spelling - I will be giving the spelling list to your child on Fridays the week before the words will be tested. The lists are available on the Spelling City Website as well (we only have access to the free version). A daily practice page will be done in school and practice work may be writing the words 2 times. I will check to make sure practice is done correctly, but will not use this work as part of their spelling grade. Verbally practicing the words, writing the words in the sand, making the words with play-dough letters and typing the words on the computer are additional ways you and your child could practice the words so your child is ready for the test given on Thursday.
Independent Reading - Accelerated Reading is a component of our Language Arts Program and is meant to motivate your child to read independently. 15-20 minutes (or more) of reading each day will greatly enhance your child’s ability to gain vocabulary, fluency and comprehension skills. Our goal for this trimester is to read 15 books (picture books) or earn 12 AR points (chapter books). Goals will be adjusted during 2nd and 3rd trimesters according to your child's reading level and ability. Part of your child's reading grade will be determined by meeting AR goals and comprehension test scores.
Math Practice Pages - A math homework page will be in your child’s take home folder most evenings. Directions for the homework will be at the top of the page and will reflect the lesson taught during the day, or review skills taught earlier in the unit. A text book can also be taken home or found online to help with homework. This reinforcement of math concepts is very important, and is a great way for you to be informed about skills that are taught.
Math Facts - As part of your school supplies, you were asked to purchase a set of multiplication and division flash cards. Begin to practice multiplication facts by sorting the facts into x1, x2, x3, x4, x5 etc., and master one group of facts, then move on to the next group. Your child will be taking weekly timed tests, and practicing at home will help your child become more confident in all areas of math. 20% of your child’s math grade is based on scores from these weekly tests.
Behavior Plan
Being respectful, responsible and safe are the major focus in the expectations for behavior in our building. If I need to remind your child a number of times about inappropriate behaviors, I will ask him or her to put a CB in his or her planner letting you know that disrespectful behavior is occurring in the classroom. I will usually write a short note explaining why the CB is in the planner. Blurting out answers, shouting voices, snappy (sassy) responses and running are samples of things I consider unacceptable behavior in our school.
Bathrooms, hallways and the playground have been trouble spots for some students in the past. If your child is acting unsuitably, I will have them write an OB in their planner. Again, shouting voices, name calling, pushing and running are things I consider inappropriate.
If your child receives a stamp or sticker for the day, your child and I had a great day at school! I hope to be giving out many, many stamps and stickers.
Just a reminder - if the following appear in your child’s planner, he or she may need to spend time in a time out outside of the classroom (hallway), lose reteaching or free choice time, or visit with Mrs. Schultz, our building principal.
HW - homework was not complete or turned in
CB - disrespectful behavior in any classroom (art, music, phy. ed., media center)
OB - inappropriate behavior in or around the bathroom, hallway, playground or cafeteria
Students will also have the opportunity to earn (or lose) “Koehn Cash” based on behavior. Your child will receive a dollar for homework that is completed and turned in and for being an example of good behavior for others. A second Koehn Cash can be earned for having a signature in their planner. If your child collects ten dollars during the week, he or she will be able to purchase a raffle ticket. We will hold a raffle drawing at the end of each month for various prizes. One dollar will be enough to purchase a smaller item. Twenty dollars will purchase two raffle tickets.
Schedule
Our lunch time is at 11:17.
Our specialist schedule is on a five day rotation. The first day of school (Thursday, September 10) was a Day 4.
Day 1 - Art
Day 2 - P.E.
Day 3 - Music
Day 4 - Social/Emotional Learning or Media
Day 5 - P.E.
Miscellaneous Information
If your child will be visiting a friend’s house, picked up by a grandparent or if there are any other changes to your child’s after school routine, your child will need an e-mailed or written note informing us of the change.
A birthday is a special day to celebrate! We will recognize your child’s special day on or as close to the actual day (if on a weekend) as we can. Summer birthday’s will be celebrated on half birthdays - example, June 17th would be celebrated on December 17th.
Please feel free to call, e-mail or write a note in the planner with questions or concerns you may have. I can also arrange a conference or meeting time if you would rather chat with me in person.