Welcome Back!
I pray each of you had a restful, and joyous Christmas and New Years. I loved the time I had to spend with my family and friends. With 3 teenage children our house was always full and loud! A little bit like 5th grade!
I am excited and ready to begin the second half of our year. I feel we had a very good beginning. Most students seem to have adjusted to 5th grade and middle school well.
This quarter we will continue that transition as we look to 6th grade and make sure the students are prepared for the responsibilities and work that will come next year.
I will have my homeroom class set at least one very specific goal to work on this quarter. We will put that on a card and keep in our class box. Each student has a card in that box where they record late work, tardies to class, disruptions etc... Hopefully with their goal card in the box as well they will be reminded of what they need to work on.
I also will set some goals for myself and for the class. My class goals are:
1. To minimize the amount of late work. This is ultimately the student's responsibility, but I will be working to make sure I have clearly stated the directions and due dates. I will be talking specifically to students who have a pattern of late work on a weekly basis and expect them to stay and complete the work that is due.
Although I will continue to accept late work, I will take a grade deduction for each day it is late.
2. To continue to expand the students' critical thinking, evaluation and decision making skills. Through the reading and writing process these skills will continue to grow. We will continue to use technology for research, writing , organizing and presentation of ideas.
3. To develop a love of literature - to whatever degree possible. I hope that the stories and novels we read this second semester will touch your student in some way. Even if they do not enjoy each thing we read, I hope they will learn to appreciate literature and enjoy reading many different types.
I look forward to what lies ahead. I will continue to expect the best from each student, and will work with them to reach their goals.
Please look on my blog for detailed information under each class heading.
I have posted updated spelling words and literature information. Book report directions will follow next week.
Thabnks for sharing your child with me!
