How do you
determine grades for report cards?
We look at the oral reading
strategies (referred to as DRA)that your child has been conducted on each
child's reading ability, the numerical grades in the grade book, and average
them. We are looking for 80% accuracy or better in written work and
94% or better on oral reading strategies.
Explain exactly
how homework works.
Homework is kept up within
a grade book. Homework is assigned each week. The assignments that
are indicated to be turned in are those that are expected in class by Friday
of each week. Homework can be turned in daily or weekly. Each child's
name is written in the grade book and if/when the weekly homework is brought
in, it is checked off. Usually, if one assignment is not turned in the
student receives an S- in homework and so on.
What is the
Friday folder my child speaks of? Explain Friday folder procedures.
The Friday folder is the folder that your child brings home usually
on Fridays, unless he/she has been absent, with his/her weekly class/homework
in it. Parents are expected to go through the papers with the student,
pointing out the good as well as those that need extra work. When
viewing these papers, take note of skills that need to be worked on individually
at home for extra practice. Send the folder back on Monday with the
Progress Report signed by a parent/guardian and any notes inside.
Keep the papers at home for future use.
Does my child
receive any textbooks? What are his/her responsibilities with these?
Each child receives a reading book and workbook, social studies book,
math book, science book. These books have been assigned to the child
for the year. At the end of the year, he/she must return the book
or pay for the book if lost or damaged. Reading texts are sent home with
first grade students at the end of the unit and are to be sent back within
a reasonable amount of time. Second grade students may be assigned
readings/homework in their texts and may bring them home. Students
are also issued take home books that accompany the text on a weekly basis.
These are to be returned by Friday of each week.
What are itinerants?
Itinerants are the special classes that students attend such as music,
art, PE, and Media (library).
Explain how
the reading tests and workbook pages work.
Reading tests are given in two forms, oral and written. The oral
test is an assessment of the actual vocabulary words that have been given
on the homework sheet. There are usually about 9-10 of these for
first grade and 20 for 2nd. Students are given the list of
words on a sheet of paper and are to read them orally to the teacher on
Thursdays. Student's papers will indicate their accuracy by the use
of numerical percentage grades. Written (selection)tests are given
on paper. These are given on Fridays. Workbook pages are sent
home either on Wednesday or Thursday of each week. These pages are
sent as homework and are expected to be turned in by Friday of the next
week for first grade and as assigned for 2nd grade. The pages help
students to practice the skills that they have gone over during the week.
Explain how
the spelling tests work.
Spelling tests are given on Thursdays and Fridays. On Thursday
if the student receives a grade of 100 percent, he/she doesn't have to
take the test again. But, if not, he/she will be given another opportunity
to re-test on Friday. The purpose of these is to reinforce the phonics
skills that have been taught and practiced throughout the week. If
your child has learned that the A in the middle of a word makes the sound
you hear in cat, then when they are spelling hat, they should remember
that the A makes the same sound and is the same spelling.
How can I
help my child with his/her homework?
Go over the skills indicated on the homework sheet in-depth to make
sure that your child understands/comprehends what is being taught.
Speak with the classroom teacher for additional strategies, specific ones
at that to see what your child needs individually. If you're looking
at weekly papers, then you should see exactly some of the things that he/she
needs to work on at home.
What are some things I can look for that indicate my child
needs an extended year in first/second grade?
Speak to teacher for specific indications, but here are a few.