Daily Schedule and Special Schedule
Normal Daily Schedule:
8:00 - AR Reading and getting ready for the day 8:15 - Grammar & Writing Traits Work 8:45 - Specials 9:15 - Snack & Daily 5-Minute Write-Ups & Explorations 9:50 - Math 11:15 - Recess 11:45 - Lunch (in classroom) 12:15 - Reading (Fridays we have a Writer's Block session) 1:30 - Social Studies (Mon & Tues)/ Science (Wed-Fri) |
Special Schedule:
Monday - (8:15-9:15) Library & Music Tuesday - PE Wednesday - Music Thursday - PE Friday - Counselor |
Grading
In this class students' earned grades will be centered around their proficiency in the Alaskan State and Fairbanks School District standards. Students will be given standards rubrics at the beginning of each quarter for every subject. On the rubrics they will track their progress throughout the quarter on the standards being assessed for the grading period. Rubrics MUST stay in binders at all times. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their progress throughout the quarter on various assignments. The rubric is on a 5-point scale from 1-5, where a 1 is the student is struggling and needs a lot of help, and a 5 demonstrates exceeding the standard.
Assignments will not be given letter grades, but will be assessed on a 1-5 scale. This 1-5 scale will also be utilized in class as a self-reflection understanding tool. In general, here is what the grading scale means:
5 - Grand Master - I have mastered the skill/knowledge and have gone beyond the standard. I could teach this to others.
4 - Jedi Master - I am good with this skill/knowledge and could repeat it whenever I need.
3 - Jedi Knight - I am pretty good with this skill/knowledge, but have made some small mistakes.
2 - Padawan - I am okay with this skill/knowledge, but I could use some more work and a little help.
1 - Youngling - I'm struggling. I will get to the next level, but I really need help.
0 - Sith - I didn't do the work, or I produced so little effort that the standard could not be measured.
A 3 is demonstrating proficiency in the standard or meets the standard. The goal for all students is that all standards are at least a 3.
Assignments will not be given letter grades, but will be assessed on a 1-5 scale. This 1-5 scale will also be utilized in class as a self-reflection understanding tool. In general, here is what the grading scale means:
5 - Grand Master - I have mastered the skill/knowledge and have gone beyond the standard. I could teach this to others.
4 - Jedi Master - I am good with this skill/knowledge and could repeat it whenever I need.
3 - Jedi Knight - I am pretty good with this skill/knowledge, but have made some small mistakes.
2 - Padawan - I am okay with this skill/knowledge, but I could use some more work and a little help.
1 - Youngling - I'm struggling. I will get to the next level, but I really need help.
0 - Sith - I didn't do the work, or I produced so little effort that the standard could not be measured.
A 3 is demonstrating proficiency in the standard or meets the standard. The goal for all students is that all standards are at least a 3.
Re-assessments and Extra Credit
My goal is that the students' grades are truly representative of what they know. Because of this, I believe in giving students the opportunity to re-assess major projects and tests within the quarter. However, there are stipulations. Re-assessments can only occur within that quarter, and can only be done on the sections the student scored a 2 or less on. Before a student can re-submit an assignment or a section of an assignment, or re-take a test, they must submit a self-reflection that can be obtained from me. Re-assessments are NOT mandatory nor will students be "chased down" about them. It is up to the student to initiate any conversation about re-assessment and can be brought up during individual conferences during Explorations.
Extra-credit is not given in this class.
Extra-credit is not given in this class.
Student Binders
In this class students will be keeping track of classroom work, notes, and study materials in personal binders. It is expected that students will take this home and bring it to school EVERYDAY.
We will set this up in class together. Students are to keep everything in their binder until the class is told to remove it by their teacher. Generally, this will be at the end of each quarter. This way students are able to maintain a chronological record of each unit they learn and are able to use the materials for the end of the unit assessment/project.
We will set this up in class together. Students are to keep everything in their binder until the class is told to remove it by their teacher. Generally, this will be at the end of each quarter. This way students are able to maintain a chronological record of each unit they learn and are able to use the materials for the end of the unit assessment/project.
Homework
Reading logs will be distributed at the beginning of each quarter and will be checked every Monday morning. It is expected that students read 20 minutes each day, totaling 140 minutes a week. New vocabulary words will be given each week, students are responsible for not only their spelling but their definitions and ability to utilize the words in context. Vocabulary tests will be on Wednesdays, students are responsible for studying for this test but there is no direct homework related to these words.
There will be various student projects through the course of the year that will require work to be completed outside of the classroom and any work that is not finished during school should be completed at home if it is due the following day.
There will be various student projects through the course of the year that will require work to be completed outside of the classroom and any work that is not finished during school should be completed at home if it is due the following day.
Classroom Routines
Behavior:
-Class Dojo: Everyday students will earn Dojo points for positive behaviors. For 1st quarter students can receive a "needs work" feedback, but it is worth 0 points. Starting 2nd quarter, these will be worth negative points. I highly encourage parents to sign up for this free site.
-Individual Rewards: as students accumulate Dojo points, they can redeem them for various individual rewards. Point cash-in days will coincide with class meetings on Friday afternoons. Points will be taken away from students when they pay for a reward, however, this will be clearly annotated.
Classroom Jobs:
-All students will have jobs in the class, and they will get "paid" for doing their job well. Payments will be in the form of Dojo points.
-Classroom jobs are important to instill responsibility and ownership, and also to help create a classroom community.
Classroom Seating:
In order to accommodate collaborative learning and active students, students will not have individual desks. There will be tables set-up in the class. Students are allowed to sit where ever they will learn best. Of course this is also up to teacher discretion, students are given ONE warning before being asked to move to another location.
Students will keep individual supplies in their cubbies. Cubbies are expected to be kept neat and organized. They will be graded on a daily basis on the organization of their cubbies.
-Class Dojo: Everyday students will earn Dojo points for positive behaviors. For 1st quarter students can receive a "needs work" feedback, but it is worth 0 points. Starting 2nd quarter, these will be worth negative points. I highly encourage parents to sign up for this free site.
-Individual Rewards: as students accumulate Dojo points, they can redeem them for various individual rewards. Point cash-in days will coincide with class meetings on Friday afternoons. Points will be taken away from students when they pay for a reward, however, this will be clearly annotated.
Classroom Jobs:
-All students will have jobs in the class, and they will get "paid" for doing their job well. Payments will be in the form of Dojo points.
-Classroom jobs are important to instill responsibility and ownership, and also to help create a classroom community.
Classroom Seating:
In order to accommodate collaborative learning and active students, students will not have individual desks. There will be tables set-up in the class. Students are allowed to sit where ever they will learn best. Of course this is also up to teacher discretion, students are given ONE warning before being asked to move to another location.
Students will keep individual supplies in their cubbies. Cubbies are expected to be kept neat and organized. They will be graded on a daily basis on the organization of their cubbies.