Classroom Handbook

Assignment notebook:  This will be filled out in the morning.  Students are expected to have parents sign after the homework is complete. 

Homework:  Your child will have homework each night.  Students need to complete their work on their own, unless the assignment calls for a parent’s help (example: practice phonograms, read together).  I will only ask your student to complete something they are capable of.  I expect homework to be completed neatly.  You may check to see if the homework is completed, but please do not correct their mistakes.  I will correct their homework daily and your child will correct their assignment in class.  If students are unsure about spelling a word, encourage them to use their phonograms to sound out the word.

Your child will also be required to read at least twenty minutes every school night.  Your child will also ask you to sign their notebook to confirm they have read.  Your child will be more successful if they read out loud.  Feel free to take turns reading paragraphs or pages with your child in the beginning.

Yellow slips:  If your child does not do or forgets an assignment or signature, they will be required to complete the assignment at recess.  If the assignment is not done to the best of their ability, it will be redone during recess.  Your child will join recess once the assignment is complete.  When the assignment or signature is missing, your child will bring home a yellow slip (stapled into their assignment notebook).  The yellow slip will explain what assignment was incomplete or missing and what action was taken.  This slip must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned the next day.  If it is not returned, the consequence will be the loss of another recess.  Responsibility is a character trait the school wants to further instill into your child.

Take home papers:  Your child will regularly bring home papers for you to see.  Papers which need to be returned to school will be in a separate section of the folder.  Please help your child be responsible by returning school forms in a timely fashion.

Lunch orders:  Students are able to order Blimpie sandwiches and pizza each week.  Students need to bring in their money on Tuesday (for Blimpie on Wednesday) or Friday (for pizza on Friday).    

 

Classroom rules:

·         Be respectful

·         Be responsible

·         Be prepared

Rewards:

• Individual sticker chart:  Your child will get a sticker for their chart if their assignment notebook is signed and their homework has been turned in.  When your child gathers 25 stickers (the chart is filled), your child will receive a free dress day pass or optional reward.
• Fuzzy jar: The class has an empty jar and a goal to fill the jar with fuzzies in order to have an hour of fun (movie, treats, etc).  The class is always expected to follow the rules, but will be occasionally rewarded by dropping a fuzzy into the jar.  Our class can also receive fuzzies from other teachers who notice our student’s awesome behavior.  Fuzzies can be taken away if the class gets out of hand.
• Secret student: Once in awhile I will choose a secret student to watch while we are in the hall; if that student obeys classroom rules, that student will have an extra sticker for their sticker chart.

Discipline:  We have a clip chart with seven levels:  Outstanding, Great job, Good day, Ready to learn, Think about it, Teacher’s choice, and Parent contact.  All students begin each day on “Ready to learn”.  Student clips can move up for positive behavior and down for negative behavior. 

“Think about it” is a warning/reminder to follow our classroom expectations.  No consequence will be given. 

“Teacher’s choice” is a consequence and may include time off recess, loss of a classroom privilege, etc.

“Parent contact” is an automatic pink slip and possibly a phone call depending on the incident.  The form will be stapled into the student’s assignment notebook.  Parents or guardians must sign the form and return this slip the next day.  If a student continues to struggle with classroom expectations, they will see the principal.

Students who move up to “Great job” or “Outstanding” will be able to earn various classroom rewards. 

Pink slips:    I would encourage you to talk with your child about receiving a pink slip and set an at-home consequence if they bring one home.  Examples might be loss of TV or computer privilege for the night or an extra chore.  I recommend this be a one day consequence so the student begins fresh the following day.  If pink slips continue, especially for the same reason, we may need to discuss a specific plan for your child to help them meet their goals.

Each situation will be treated on an individual basis.  Certain behaviors may require other consequences such as a detention or setting up a behavior contract.  I will strive to find a consequence that will help each child grow and learn to make better choices in the future.

Classroom projects:  Throughout the year I will introduce different projects with the goal of helping your child love reading. 

·         Mystery Reader:  We will have a “Mystery Reader” every month (hopefully more often!) and we would love to have you join us as a mystery reader!  More details will come later.

·         Book Nook:  I have a “Book Nook” in our classroom for your child to choose books.  These books will remain in the classroom, but your child will be encouraged to read throughout the day after they are finished with their different assignments. 

·         Book Shelf:  This is a bulletin board on our wall and will showcase how many books we have read throughout the entire school year. Students will add to our book shelf through reading a book at school or at home.    Every time your child reads a book, they will choose a paper book spine to add to our book shelf.  How big will it get?  J