Miss Thomas
The Blended Classroom
Parent/Student
Handbook
2013 - 2014
This handbook belongs to:
Welcome
Hello and welcome to the blended classroom! This is going to be an exciting, fun-filled year for all of us. I am very thrilled to be starting a new school year. We have a lot of learning ahead of us!
Our classroom will be a place where a positive learning environment will enable us to grow socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. In the course of the school year an atmosphere will be provided that fosters problem solving skills, creativity, and communication skills.
Expectations are high but with guidance, support, and well-defined goals everyone will succeed in this class. When classroom expectations are high everyone will rise to meet them. A very unique community develops where we become risk takers, as well as active participants in the learning process.
Communication between parents, students, and the teacher is integral to the development of a positive learning environment. When all parties are informed of rules, classroom expectations, and routines, a sense of trust is developed. This handbook has been developed to meet this important goal.
We pledge to do
our personal best,
each and every day!
Your Child’s Teacher
My name is Miss Thomas. This is my second year of teaching here at Barr. I graduated from Alliance High School and then continued my education at Kent State University, where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education with a concentration in Math, Science, and Reading. Last year I completed my education by receiving my Master’s degree from Kent State University in Gifted Education as well as Educational Psychology.
I have two daughters. Channing, my oldest, is 14 years old and is a freshman in High School. Drusilla, my youngest, is a very activity 3 year old who started preschool this year also in Alliance.
I have a love of reading and hope to instill that love in the students that I teach. I also have played the violin for over 20 years and have taught my oldest daughter how to play. I love to play volleyball; I currently play on a city league in Alliance.
I am looking forward to learning about your child as we spend this next year together.
Important Details
Newsletter- A bi-weekly newsletter will e-mailed out keep you informed about classroom activities (if you do not have an e-mail address a hard copy can be sent home). This newsletter will also be on our class website.
Grades – Student receive letter grades on most of the work they will be doing. Because receiving grades should be a positive experience students will be able to correct some of their work. Students who receive a letter grade of a C or lower on most classroom assessments/assignments will have an chance to redo the assessments/assignments for a higher grade. The two grades will be averaged to determine the grade the student will receive.
92 – 100 A
82 – 91 B
70 – 81 C
0 – 80 N
Class Website- The web address for our class website is: http://www.plainlocal.org/olc/teacher.aspx?s=1231. The website is updated weekly (I try to update it daily). On the website you will find the weekly planner with all assignments on it along with due dates. You will also be able to find printable homework.
Visitation – What goes on in your child’s life is very important, there for it is important to be exposed to your child’s life at school. It is important to remember that all visitors must stop into the office first. If you are coming to visit the classroom I do ask that you give a 24 hour notice, this way I can inform the office and I can let you know if the time you would like to come in is a good time for our busy school schedule.
Discipline – Learning requires self – discipline, students need to take responsibility for their own actions as well as their learning. If a child behaves inappropriately according to the classroom and/or school procedures and guidelines, he/she will face consequences. Some consequences may include loss of some or all of the students recess time, loss of ipad privileges, writing a letter of apology, etc… I will try to make sure that the punishment logically fits that action.
Along with punishments for inappropriate behavior, I believe it is just as important to acknowledge appropriate behavior. Some positive reinforces may include, extra ipad/computer time, extra recess time, positive notes sent home, etc…
Planners – Students will be given a planner to write down all of their assignments in. It is very important that this planner is checked each night and that it is signed by a parent/guardian/or responsible adult. All assignments that should be written in the student’s planner can also be found on the website planner. The online planner will also have assignments that were done in class listed. Putting information into the planner is the students responsibility, there are days when I will not get a chance to check each planner.
Notes – Notes about absences, doctor appointments, early dismissal, pick-ups, or bus changes should be written on a separate paper so that they can be sent to the office.
Portfolio – This year your child will be creating a portfolio of their work. The purpose of this portfolio is to show each student’s accomplishments over the course of the year. Students will be involved in saving work samples with the help of the teacher. At the end of the year the portfolio will be sent home for you to enjoy with your child.
Morning Routine
It is very important that we get the day started in a manner that gets us all ready for our day of learning. Students should know what is expected of them and they should follow the procedures set for these expectations.
1. Walk in quietly.
2. Unpack take – home folder and turn in any notes or homework to the proper place (this includes any lunch money that you may need to turn in).
3. Put book bag and coat in locker.
4. Put sack lunch in the lunch basket, so it can be taken down to the cafeteria.
5. Sign in on the smart board.
6. Complete morning work quietly, without getting out of your seats.
7. Stay quiet during the announcements.
· Before the morning announcements begin our classroom is a calm and quiet place. Remember how we start the day helps set the tone for the rest of the day.
School Supplies
School supplies are shared among the students. Supplies will be located on the table ready for the students to use. All school supplies will be collected at the beginning of the year and supplied to the students as needed.
· You are responsible for keeping track of and taking care of the supplies at your table.
You will have a notebook or folder for each subject. You are responsible for these materials.
1. Take care of your journal or folder – They should not be scribbled on, torn, left out, folded up, or cut with scissors.
2. Keep your journal or folders neat and organized so you can use them easily.
3. Use the correct folder for your different assignments.
Homework
With the exception of studying spelling words, multiplication facts, reading log (students will be required to read 15 – 20 minutes per night), and projects, generally homework will not be assigned as extra work. During each activity throughout the day, the students will have the opportunity to complete assigned materials.
If the child does not complete the work during class time, then it will be the student’s responsibility to complete the assignment at home. Most work assigned in a day will be due the next morning. It will be specified only if it is NOT due the next day.
Homework will be kept in your folder so papers do not get crumpled and rumpled. You must always have your name and date on your papers. If an assignment is turned in sloppy it will not be accepted and you will have to do it all over. Neatness is very, very, very important to me.
The students are required to bring all work, even assignments that are completed, home for parents to review with them. The assignment will not be turned in until the following day. Only test and designated assignments will be turned in on the day assigned.
Late Work – It is very important for the student to learn to be responsible for their own work. The students will be allowed to turn in one late assignment per nine weeks, without being penalized. Any late work thereafter will be penalized a letter grade off the original score. The students will have up to two days to complete the late assignment and turn it in before it will not be accepted.
Classroom Rules & Procedures
Rules: It is very important for all students to follow our school and classroom rules and procedures. By following all expectations we can all ensure that the learning environment can be at its best.
1. Follow directions the first time, every time.
2. Respect one another’s feelings, property, and learning time.
3. Raise your hand for permission to speak during class time.
4. Keep your area neat and clean.
5. Follow all school rules.
Lining up:Do not stand or move until the teacher has finished giving directions and called you to line up. WALK quickly, quietly, and carefully to line up. Each student will line up in their designated spot. As soon as you join the line, stand still and quiet, facing forward and ready to go. Once you are in your spot, stay there – do not switch spots or move around in line. Once you are in line, leave space between yourself and others, keeping your hands and feet to yourself.
Walking in the halls:Always keep your hands at your sides, not on others or on the walls. Stay silent in the hallway at all times. Face forward to avoid accidents. Walk safely and quietly without stomping or dragging your feet. Keep up with the line without bumping the person in front of you.
Restrooms & Water: In order to accomplish all that we need to in a day we must stay on task. Every day we have times when the class will use the restroom together (before or after special, before and after lunch). Students are permitted to use the restroom for extreme emergency purposes only other than these times. Students should use the restroom in the morning before they enter the classroom, this will ensure that they will not need to go during instructional time.
Students are permitted to have a water bottle in class, but they must keep in mind the procedures for using the restroom.
· Students will only be allowed one emergency break during the day. Once this break has been used they will only be able to go when we go as a class.
Asking questions: As a 3rd or 4th grader you are responsible for being a problem – solver and creative thinker. Students are expected to think before asking questions. You should ask yourself:
1. What might the answer be?
2. Where could I look to find the answer?
3. What classmate might be able to help me?
4. Do I need to ask the teacher or can I figure out the answer on my own?
Lessons & Work Time: We have a very special situation in our classroom. Students need to know how to work independently as well as how to manage their time. Students should always keep their attention focused on the lesson or work they are doing. Be considerate of other students by staying quiet and giving others space. Move through the room quietly without disrupting the lesson/other workers. If you have a problem, solve it quickly and quietly. If you need the teacher’s help bring your help clip to the teacher, then wait patiently without disturbing the lesson or other workers.
Test & Grades: Grades are given to let you and your parents know how well you are learning skills and what you still need to learn. Grades are information for each student, they should be kept private. Please do not comment on other students’ grades or discuss your grades with other students.
Tests are very important.Tests are a way to find out what you have learned and what you still need to learn. During tests, it’s important that you do your best work and take your time, stay focused on your work only, and use your time wisely so that you have time to finish your work.
Entering the class: We have a lot of things to do in one day and it is very important that we stay focused, this is why it is very important that when we enter the classroom we do it in a way that will not distract others. Walk in quietly, notice what is happening in the classroom, figure out what you should be doing. Move quickly and quietly to where you need to be. Begin your work or join the class activity quickly and quietly.
Remember – talking, yelling, stomping, clapping, or making other kinds of noise as you enter the room can distract other learners or interrupt a lesson.
Classroom Absence
If you are absent from class you will be given 2 days (more time is given for lone absents) from the day of your return to make up any missed work. You are still responsible for getting your materials and get your assignments completed by the date on your assignment sheet.
If you would like to pick up your assignments on the day of your absent, an e-mail or phone call needs to be placed to the school before lunch, and your assignments will be waiting for you in the office. If you do not stop in that day to pick up your assignments it is your responsibility to stop into the office the morning of your return and pick them up.