September 4, 2012

Dear Parents,

This week begins a brand new school year for all of us, and I’d like to extend a warm welcome to my students.

I have put together a handbook of information to help you and your child become familiar with my expectations for the school year. Take a day or two to read through this information, and then sign below by Friday. Tear off the sheet and send it back to school. Then you may want to keep the handbook in a special place so that you may refer to it throughout the year. If you need to contact me, I prefer email if possible. My email address is cwood@bathschools.net. I check my email each day and I will respond promptly. If you do not have email, you may call the school and leave a message 641-6771, ext. 2325.

I’m looking forward to an exciting year with my class. Thank you for your cooperation in getting this year off to a great start!

Sincerely,

Student Name ______________________________

Parent Signature _____________________________

Cooperative LearningI wholeheartedly believe in cooperative learning in the classroom. I have placed my students in mixed ability groups and partnerships so that they may help each other during the learning process. Research has shown that all students do better when they are allowed to discuss and defend their ideas as they learn. Working in small groups and partnerships also helps students learn valuable social skills they will need throughout life. Parents are often concerned about grades in the cooperative learning classroom.

Don’t worry! All grades come from individual assignments and tests. No student's grade will be raised or lowered based on the performance of others in the group.

Class NewslettersIn an effort to be “green”, I use a class blog rather than a paper newsletter to let you know what is happening in the classroom. The blog has news, photos, videos, and other information about what is happening in the room. I only use students’ first names and last initials, and I don’t match pictures with names. If you do not want your child’s picture, stories, or other work on our class web page, please write me a note or send me an email. Be sure to visit our web page before you make this decision! I hope that all students will be able to be included on our class website. If you do not have access to a computer and would like a paper copy of the news, please let me know. The blog address is www.woodroom210.blogspot.com. By entering your email address in the email subscription box at the top of the blog, you will get an email notifying you whenever an update has been made. At the end of the school year, simply unsubscribe from the newsfeed.

Materials NeededIndividual Student Supplies 2-3 Composition Books 2-3 Packs of pencils Pencil cap erasers – 2 packs Gluesticks—4 packs Scissors Box of markers Black Sharpies -- 2 Pack of dry erase markers Highlighters -- 2Classroom Supplies Requested Box of tissues Hand sanitizer Post-its

Attendance & IllnessesRegular school attendance is critical to the learning process. Our school day officially starts at 8:45 and the second bell is at 8:50 AM. When your child is absent or tardy, he or she misses valuable instructional time. Please call the office whenever your child is absent.

Daily Math DrillsIn my experience, students cannot move on to higher level reasoning in mathematics until they master their basic math facts. In addition to regular math assignments, your child will be performing daily drills until he or she has mastered the basic facts. You can help your child prepare by studying with flashcards or having them spend 15 minutes a day working with online flashcards at www.mathfactcafe.com . You can even call out math facts to your child while driving in the car or waiting in the doctor’s office! Mastering Times Tables (second semester) is particularly challenging, so when everyone knows their times tables we will celebrate with an ice cream party!

Bookbag Info

Please do not send in large bookbags or rolling bookbags. We just don’t have the space to store them. Thanks!

Homework/ClassworkI believe that homework is necessary for practicing skills that have been learned or for enriching the classroom experience. On the other hand, I don’t believe in overloading students will busywork! In many cases, homework is simply classwork that was not finished. I try to give ample time in class for the completion of assignments, but some students work more slowly and must finish at home. Students will have spelling homework daily and will be able to choose a fun activity to practice the weekly words. They will also have math homework one or two nights a week. Please provide time for your child to complete their homework and be sure to sign their homework sheet.

In order to help students get their homework assignments done, students will be given a Bath Bees folder. They will place any important papers in the folder. After they complete an assignment, they should place it in the front pocket of the folder. I encourage parents to review the contents of your child’s Bath Bee folder each night. They will bring home a new homework sheet each Monday. Please initial it each evening to show that you and your child reviewed their work and they have completed their work.

I expect all homework and classwork to be turned in on time. Students will not be allowed to call home if they forget their work. Students should pack their bookbags at night with all the materials needed for the next day. Organization is the key to success!

Lunch MoneyAs you know, students who do not receive free lunch must either pay for one or bring their own from home. Each year I have many students who forget their money or lose it before lunch. Lending money to students is very inconvenient and expensive, since students frequently forget to pay me back.

Having students pay by the week or the month can eliminate most lunch money problems. Our school has a computerized system that effectively keeps track of all money paid in to each child's account. When a student is absent or chooses not to eat lunch, the money remains is his or her account for the next week. You may pay for meals by sending a check or cash to school and having your child put the money in a Cafeteria Envelope. These envelopes are picked up from the classroom every couple of days.

Clip Chart Management SystemI want to explain a very effective behavior management system that I will use in my classroom this year. At the front of the room is a multi-colored behavior sign and clothes pins with each students name on it. All students start the day at “Ready to Learn”. As students make behavior choices throughout the day, they can either “clip up” or “clip down”. The part I like is that students do not stay at a certain level all day. The clips can move up or down depending on behaviors and how a student is following school and classroom rules. For example, a student could “clip down” to

“Think About It” within the first hour of the school day. They don’t continue to move down, but they have the opportunity to change their behavior throughout the day and “clip up”. The Clip Chart helps students learn to be responsible for their own choices. When students clip down to “Think About It” this provides a reminder that students need to make a change in their behavior. “Teacher’s Choice” can be whatever consequence fits the behavior. Usually, this is losing 5 minutes of recess so we can have a chat about making good choices. If a student ends on “Parent Contact”, they fill out a Behavior Reflection Form, which needs to be signed and returned the next day, and either contact from me by email or a phone call.

Students soon realize that they are capable of making good choices that earn praise and happy feelings about themselves. Kids learn what it feels like to be proud of their own actions--especially when given specific feedback about their choices. I believe the clip chart focuses on good choices rather than just consistently zeroing in on poor ones. When students make it to the “Top of the Chart”, they earn a special pencil with a sticker recognizing their good behavior choices. They can also earn the honor of “Off The Chart”. This level earns a special jewel on their clothespin and class clap and cheer!

Spelling ProgramThe spelling words come from the reading series, Treasures. Words will be sent home on Monday and the test is on Friday. Students may practice their spelling words each week by going to www.spellingcity.com and searching for our class. It’s a great website, and if your child uses it, you’ll see a big jump in spelling grades. There are games and activities for your child to do using the words of the week.

Lunch 11:15-11:55

Specials 12:30-1:15

Recess 2:30-2:45