Thursday, February 25, 2016
Dear Parents,
Our second semester is coming to a close and we stand to begin our third and final semester of the
year. With the dawning, we will institute some new strategies.
1. Bathroom QR codes: students will scan a pass with an iPad QR code reader, and then fill out a
quick form as to the nature of their departure. This will help to account for their whereabouts
during the day. Choices will be: bathroom, drink, locker, nurse, short break, early dismissal. It will
also provide data to me and to you should any one student be frequently leaving the classroom
rather than completing work.
2. No Homework Documentation Code: Students will scan a QR code and fill out a short form as to
why their work is incomplete. They will continue logging into this form every day until the work is
completed. Again, this provides the students with accountability and the opportunity for data
collection that we can all share and conference with any student that is struggling with work
completion.
3. Secret Student: We will continue to use Class Dojo, but we will also use a secret incentive for
positive behavior. I will announce that I have chosen a secret student at the beginning of the
day. I won’t say who, but will say I will be checking in secretly with the student to see if they are
following our classroom expectations. If they meet that expectation for the day, they will have a
chance to win something from my prize box! I will only announce if the student is successful,
otherwise, I will say at the end of the day that student did not yet meet the expectation and we
will start again the next day. The idea is use random reinforcement to elicit positive behavior
a. Here are the expectations that the students created in class:
i. Raise your hand instead of blurting out.
ii. Use kind words.
iii. Be respectful.
iv. Take Turns.
v. Talk should be on topic.
vi. Eyes on speaker and listen with intention.
vii. Pay attention.
viii. Think before you speak.
4. Mastery objectives and Criteria for success: I endeavor to provide more clarity to both the
students and you parents. The daily objectives for each subject are written on the board in the
morning along with time frames. This helps to guide our day. I am also working on creating
Criteria for assignments that hopefully will clarify instruction and show students how to be able
to evaluate their own learning.
5. Something to Tweet about: Students will have an opportunity to reflect on their learning during
the day by “tweeting” responses to lessons on our “tweet” board. We are not actually using
Twitter at this time, but I thought this might be an engaging way to have them connect to our
learning. This will tie directly to understanding our mastery objectives. The students will use this
“tweets” to write a letter to you at the end of the week so you will know what they are learning.
This serves the purpose of student engaging in their learning and understanding and a way to
communicate with you. Please feel free to write them back!
6. Habits of Mind: The students will be reflecting on habits of mind for learning. In the 21 st century
learning climate, we want students to be able to connect with the world through learning and
make it meaningful to them. Don’t work there won’t be a test! But we do want to reflect on
these so the students can become independent in evaluating their knowledge as well as their
behavior. Here are the habits will touch upon:
a. Persisting
b. Managing Impulsivity
c. Listen with Understanding and Empathy
d. Thinking Flexibly
e. Thinking about your Thinking (Metacognition)
f. Striving for Accuracy
g. Questioning
h. Applying Past Knowledge (schema)
i. Think and Communicate with Clarity and Precision
j. Gather Data through all of your Senses
k. Creating, Imagining, and Innovating
l. Responding with Awe
m. Take Responsible risks
n. Finding Humor
o. Think Interdependently
p. Remain open to Continuous Learning
The following are upcoming dates and curriculum bites:
1. Dates
a. 2/26 End of marking period
b. 3/1 District orchestra Festival
c. 3/10 Early Release
d. 3/25-4/3 Spring break
2. Curriculum Bites:
a. 2/26 Science Fair proposal due
b. 4/18 Science Fair project complete and turned in
c. Words Their Way: we are breaking up the lists more to work on specific word parts for
some groups.
d. Math: Module 9: Area, Perimeter, multiplication of mixed numbers, customary units of
measurement (see parent letter attached)
e. 3/11 Social Studies: one more interactive notebook due. Directions have been clarified.
(See attached). We will begin working on our advertisement for our state. These will
include a commercial to debut at Open House in April.
f. Please help your student organize their folders. Items on the left are for take home
and stay home, such as letters from office or completed/graded work. Items on the
right are to be completed and returned to school. Please also continue to look at the
assignment notebook. If you are unsure of assignments, please email me so I can
clarify.
g. Please have your child work on memorizing multiplication/division facts. These are an
important foundation for higher level math.
This was a lot of information. If you have any questions, please send me an email.
Thank you!
Sharon K Price