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To contact us: |
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School Phone: 223-7156 |
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INSTRUCTIONS |
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September 7, 2005 Dear Parents, During the past several years we have experienced great success in implementing a program called Home-Learning. The intent of Home-Learning is to give students a wide range of choices in the major curriculum areas so that they are challenged and motivated to learn at home. We want to make learning at home a family endeavor and we want each assignment to be uniquely suited to the needs of the student. With Home-Learning, students are given a list of activities for each evening. Students and parents will choose an assignment from this list. In giving students and parents choices within parameters, we hope we will help students take responsibility for their learning. As parents review the assignment list, they will find that every item in the list of Home-Learning activities is directly related to 2nd grade curriculum. Parents should be involved in discussing student choices every evening with their child. With a list of choices, parents may have their child do an assignment ahead of time in anticipation of a family event where the student will not be able to do their Home-Learning for that evening. There will be times when students will not be allowed to choose. This is usually the case when I want to focus on a particular skill or when there is a project due. If students are not given a choice for that evening, it will be noted on their Daily Assignment Sheet on the back of their calendar. The Daily Assignment Sheet provides parents an opportunity to review student choices and to write notes or comments for me to read. Below, you will find more detailed information about Home-Learning. We anticipate that you may have questions or comments and of course, we would enjoy hearing from you.
As a rule, students are expected to work a minimum of 25 minutes on any given Home-Learning assignment. But what we have found is that many students choose to put in much more time and effort on an activity they have chosen to do. Monday through Friday, students will be expected to complete and turn in a Home-Learning assignment from the list of assignments contained in their Home-Learning packet which is in their binder. For each day, there is an extensive list of activities students may choose to do. Every activity is explained to the students before they attempt the activity. Most activities are self-explanatory. The following is a list of activity categories for each day:
Please note that students are expected to read every day. At the beginning of each month, students are given a calendar of events. On the back of that calendar is a place for students to write their daily choices for Home-Learning. Parents are expected to review their son's or daughter's choice and to sign the Daily Assignment Sheet every evening. Parents should note that Tuesday's Home-Learning will be a "Question of the Week" that students must answer until January. Accountability Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday students are responsible for turning in their Home-Learning. If, for any reason, your child cannot do his or her Home-Learning, please send a note to school explaining why he or she could not finish their Home-Learning; otherwise your child will be expected to finish Home-Learning at recess. Students who are absent because of illness or for family emergencies may complete their assignments at the discretion of their parent/parents, otherwise they will be excused from the assignment. Grading For every satisfactory Home-Learning turned in, your child will receive five points. For Home-Learning that demonstrates substantially more effort for your child, that Home-Learning will receive six points. Incomplete work, or work which demonstrates a significant lack of effort, will be graded three points or lower. Home-Learning is usually graded every day and returned to students on that day. Please ask your child if they turned in their Home-Learning and if Mr. Green graded the work. ASK TO SEE THE WORK EVERY DAY. I will call or email parents if their child is not turning in their Home-Learning on a consistent basis . Your Opinion is Valued We are constantly searching for new Home-Learning ideas. If you have a new idea for a Home-Learning assignment, please feel free to send a note with your child, or come to school to talk. And Finally... We hope your son or daughter is challenged by the idea of Home-Learning. I'd also like to encourage parents to set aside time every evening for family reading where you can read to your son or daughter, your son or daughter can read to you, or you can both read together silently. Also, please remember to keep a record of books your child has read. Sincerely, Mr. Green |