Classroom Expectations

AGENDAS

    Your child will write all assignments in his/her agenda.  The assignment and its due date should be recorded.  I will also make every effort to inform the students of approaching quizzes and tests, so they can record that information in the agenda.  Please check these agendas daily and initial at the bottom.  The recorded information will enable you to help your child with daily homework assignments, as well as with test preparation.

HOMEWORK

1.                Students will have homework.  The material will be introduced and taught by the teacher.  Students will have an opportunity for guided practice on the assignment during class time.  The teacher will provide assistance for those who need it.  Work not completed during class time becomes homework.

2.                Homework is not busy work.  It is assigned to reinforce taught skills.  It is important for pupils to complete the assignments so that they can master each skill taught.

3.                Parents are welcome to give help on homework.  It is best to help only when the child does not completely understand a concept.  After you explain, expect your child to continue on his/her own.

4.                All assignments are to be completed on time, and completely finished.   Assignments are expected to be checked in at 8:00 a.m., not later in the day or at the time that particular class is held.

5.                Homework will only be accepted on the day it was due.  Students will be expected to stay in at recess to finish any incomplete assignments.  Assignments may be turned in for a late grade before 3:00.  The grade on any assignment turned in after the time it was due will be deducted 20%.

6.                When an assignment is not handed in on time, a zero will be entered into the grade book.

7.                Any student who does not have their homework handed in by the time it is due, automatically receives their name on the board and one checkmark.  One checkmark will be received for each subject area an assignment is not turned in.

 Students who complete assignments on time show they are responsible students.  The acceptance of responsibility is a prerequisite for becoming a member of the “I Can Manage Myself Club” (IMM club).  Membership in this club earns the child special rewards or activities.

I MANAGE MYSELF

    Students will earn one IMM coupon each week they complete all assignments on time and have good behavior.  Students can use their IMM coupons to purchase items or privileges.  Each student that makes IMM seven out of nine weeks in the quarter will be allowed to participate in a special party.  There will also be a special event at the end of the year to reward and recognize students that have been members of the IMM Club throughout the year.

Grades

As in the past, our 5^th grade instructional team will utilize several teaching materials to make class both instructional and interesting.  Among these materials will be 5^th grade core subject textbooks, the Internet and computer resources, chapter books, and additional supplements.  Grades will be based upon a points system.  For example, a student may receive a 20 out of 20 on an assignment.  This is a perfect score.

Extra Credit

Occasionally, students will have the opportunity to receive extra credit if they participate in certain classroom activities.  Extra credit will be used as an incentive to motivate students to research and report on different topics.  My goal is to encourage students to read the newspaper, go to the library, and utilize the Internet and different computer programs.

Make up work

If your child misses school for any reason, he/she is responsible for making up the missed work.  When your child is absent, please call the school office in the morning for your child’s assignments.  Your child will be given one day for each day missed to make up the missed homework assignments.  If a quiz, test, or in-class assignment is missed, your child and I will determine a time for the completion of that work.  Please make every attempt to help your child attend school regularly.  Research has shown the importance of regular school attendance in academic achievement.  Regular school attendance also sets a standard for the child to follow when he/she becomes a working citizen for our country.

3 STARS and A WISH

    Three stars and a wish will go home along with bi-monthly progress reports.  Students will choose three pieces of work that they are proud of and explain why this is an accomplishment for them.  They will then choose one piece of work that they wish to improve upon.   This is a goal they set for themselves.  We will keep completed three stars and a wish with pieces of work in an in-class binder.  During parent/teacher conferences, we will analyze the pieces of work.

Progress reports

Friday Folders

Every Friday, your child will bring home a folder with the majority of work he/she completed for that period.  (Your child should retain some papers that can be utilized to study for tests.)  On Monday, the folders should be returned with the completed three stars and a wish form and four pieces of work (three accomplishments, one goal).

Three stars and a wish

Within the Friday folder sent home, your child, with your assistance, will choose three assignments, tests, project, homework, or some activity in which he/she is proud of (three stars).  They will state what the item is, what subject it is from, and why they are proud of this accomplishment.  Please encourage your child to choose pieces of work from a variety of subject areas.  He/she will then choose one item that they would like to improve upon and will strive to do their best (a wish).  He/she will state what the piece of work is and explain how they can improve and meet their goal.  The four total pieces of work should be returned with the three stars and a wish form. 

Portfolios

        All completed three stars and a wish forms along with student work will be placed in a binder that is kept in the classroom.  This will help us examine and discuss student achievement and areas of improvement.  Your child will add to the organized portfolio weekly.

Agenda

Your child will write all assignments in their agenda book.  Each assignment and its due date should be recorded. The children’s assignments will be posted in the on the Assignment Board daily.  Students will be given time in class and are expected to write ALL information down in their agenda.  Students will be informed of approaching quizzes and tests, so they can record that information in their agenda book. Please check and sign your child’s agenda daily.  The recorded information will enable you to help your child with daily homework assignments, as well as with test preparation.

        During the first week or so, I will check EVERY student’s agenda to make sure they are recording their assignments.  As students prove their responsibility by completing homework and keeping their agenda organized, they can move up to the MASTER level.  These students’ agendas will only be checked occasionally.  However, if a homework assigned is missed they will go back to the MONITOR level.  Until the student has proven he/she is responsible, he/she will continue to be monitored.

Scholastic Book Club

Occasionally, our class will be ordering from the scholastic book club.  Orders may only be paid by check.  Please make checks payable to Scholastic Book Club.  If cash is sent to school, the order will have to be placed the next month.

Leaping Learners

        At midterm and at the end of each quarter, the top five students from each subject area will be posted on Miss Lueke’s Leaping Learners board in the front of the classroom.  Students will be recognized with a reward and they will get to keep their frog when the next group is posted.

Righteous Readers

        Students will be required to complete a reading at home program monthly.  As students read at home, they will need to keep record of what they read and the amount of time on the Reading minutes sheet, have a parent signature, and return it to school to post the minutes on our Righteous Readers chart.  Students will be required to read a total of 400 minutes per month.  Students may read a combination of novels, chapter books, appropriate magazine and Internet articles, and newspapers. A possible method of acquiring these minutes would be to read a few minutes before bedtime or after dinner.  This is a great way to become involved with your child’s learning!  Inquire about their reading and allow them to tell you of the adventures.  These minutes will be used for other reading programs:  Book-It; Raging Readers; 600 Minutes.

Character Education

        Beginning this year, Rogers Elementary is implementing a character education program.  We will have one trait/word per month where school-wide assemblies and activities will promote a positive learning atmosphere for everyone.

Student Jobs

Each week, students will have the opportunity to do a very important task in the classroom.  Student jobs will be rotated weekly so that everyone has a chance to do each job.  This will promote responsibility and ownership in our classroom.  Jobs are as follows: Teacher of the week; Line Leader; HW Organizer; Class Musician; Computer Technician; Board Organizer; Make-up Work; Righteous Reading Leader; Daily Assignments Board.

I Can Manage Myself Program

The “I Can Manage Myself Club” is an incentive program offered by every teacher at the fifth grade level.  Each week the students are able to earn membership in this group by displaying responsibility for themselves and their actions.  This includes completing and turning in work on time, showing respect, following the rules, being prepared for class, and showing good behavior in general.  If any of these are not done, the students may lose their membership in the club.

        Students may receive one checkmark before losing membership in the I Can Manage Myself Club (the second check causes them to lose membership).  These checks are cumulative for the week, so the student does not have a lot of room for error.  Checkmarks are registered on a chart and at the end of the week the students are given a coupon if they have achieved membership.  These coupons may be saved to purchase a variety of things, including candy, pencils, pens, soda, lunch in the classroom, or lunch out with the teacher, etc.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

   I have the following expectations of all my students.  These expectations also make up the class rules.  I expect my students to:

1.                Be prepared

2.                Respect the rights of others

3.                Be polite

4.                Listen and Follow directions

REWARDS

1.                Member of the weekly IMM Club

2.                Special prizes purchased with IMM’s

3.                Treats

4.                Praise – Good News Note

5.                Be the envy of all your friends

·        You can earn one IMM per week.

1.  Praise, smiles, hugs - FREE

2. Lunch in the classroom, snack during reading workshop, pencil, pencil top eraser, candy, stickers  - 1 IMM

3. Ring Pops, Bathroom Pass for the Quarter - 2 IMMS

4. Soda, Juice - 3 IMMS

5. Lunch out with a friend- 8 IMMS

CONSEQUENCES

STOPLIGHT SYSTEM

1.                Warning

2.                Yellow Light (one check) =

one check against IMM

3.                Red Light (two checks) =

Lose IMM

4.                Red Light (three checks) =

Note home

5.                Red Light (four checks) =

Phone call home

·        Unfinished homework will result in an immediate name and check.

·        Failure to receive agenda, progress reports, folders, or notes home will result in a warning or a check.