I hope you all enjoyed your fall break! I'm excited to get back into the classroom to see our kids. Here's a little update for you as we dive into our next few weeks leading up to winter break.
MAP/i-Ready Testing
Students will be taking the NWEA/MAP test this week.
On Wednesday, students will take the MAP Math test. On Thursday, they will take the MAP Reading test.
Students have as much time as they need to complete the assessment. Please remind your child that this is their time to shine, to show what they've learned so far this year. We use this data to help us plan for individualized instruction to meet each child's unique needs. With that said, some students tend to rush through these tests, which can lead to inaccurate information (showing weaknesses that may not actually be an issue). Please remind your child to take his/her time and do their very best.
On Friday, students will take the i-Ready Math Diagnostic test. This is another tool we use which has immediate results. We use this program during math centers and WIN time each day to help our students grow their math skills. Based on how they do on the diagnostic, the program redesigns an individualized learning path to target areas each student needs to work on. If students rush through this assessment, they could be placed many grade levels below where they actually are, which results in them being assigned tasks that are not necessary/helpful. We'll talk about the importance of taking the time to show what they know so that they can be placed on the appropriate learning path to support them into the spring.
Personal Narrative Publication Update
Over the break, I took our completed manuscript to the UPS store. I've already received confirmation that the book was received by the publisher and is on its way to the printer. All students who ordered a book will receive their copy sometime in February. I can't wait to celebrate this wonderful achievement with our class!
Homework
There has been some confusion about homework, so I'd love to clarify it here. I'm a firm believer in the fact that if students work hard at school, they should not have to go home and do more school work. It's important for all of us to have time to pursue our education, our hobbies, and our relationships with friends and family.
Some parents have specifically requested additional homework so that their children can practice 4th grade standards at home, so I provide optional paper activities for students to work on. These are not graded assignments, and students are not penalized if they don't complete these activities. I also provide digital/online practice options for those who prefer to use those resources. They include MobyMax Science, MobyMax Social Studies, Khan Academy, and Imagine Learning. Other online options for additional practice include Prodigy Math or Reading, other MobyMax modules, and i-Ready. Feel free to use whichever option you prefer if you're looking for additional ways to practice at home.
The only required homework is that students should complete any classwork that they did not finish in the classroom. Some students take great initiative to proactively bring their classwork home, while other students choose to leave the work in their folder. When they do that, they tend to fall behind fairly early in the week. I remind students to take incomplete work home, but it's ultimately their responsibility to do so when they pack up their belongings at the end of the day.
To help you follow up at home, I'll be posting daily classwide assignments on the embedded slide (which can also be found on the Homework page) so students and families can see what was expected to be finished in class each day. Other Reading assignments vary by student/day, because students go to different literacy centers each day. With rare exceptions, enough class time is provided so that students should be able to complete the assignment during the school day.
Students who complete all weekly classwork and show respect to others throughout the week will be able to participate in Fun Friday activities on Friday afternoons.
MAP/i-Ready Testing
Students will be taking the NWEA/MAP test this week.
On Wednesday, students will take the MAP Math test. On Thursday, they will take the MAP Reading test.
Students have as much time as they need to complete the assessment. Please remind your child that this is their time to shine, to show what they've learned so far this year. We use this data to help us plan for individualized instruction to meet each child's unique needs. With that said, some students tend to rush through these tests, which can lead to inaccurate information (showing weaknesses that may not actually be an issue). Please remind your child to take his/her time and do their very best.
On Friday, students will take the i-Ready Math Diagnostic test. This is another tool we use which has immediate results. We use this program during math centers and WIN time each day to help our students grow their math skills. Based on how they do on the diagnostic, the program redesigns an individualized learning path to target areas each student needs to work on. If students rush through this assessment, they could be placed many grade levels below where they actually are, which results in them being assigned tasks that are not necessary/helpful. We'll talk about the importance of taking the time to show what they know so that they can be placed on the appropriate learning path to support them into the spring.
Personal Narrative Publication Update
Over the break, I took our completed manuscript to the UPS store. I've already received confirmation that the book was received by the publisher and is on its way to the printer. All students who ordered a book will receive their copy sometime in February. I can't wait to celebrate this wonderful achievement with our class!
Homework
There has been some confusion about homework, so I'd love to clarify it here. I'm a firm believer in the fact that if students work hard at school, they should not have to go home and do more school work. It's important for all of us to have time to pursue our education, our hobbies, and our relationships with friends and family.
Some parents have specifically requested additional homework so that their children can practice 4th grade standards at home, so I provide optional paper activities for students to work on. These are not graded assignments, and students are not penalized if they don't complete these activities. I also provide digital/online practice options for those who prefer to use those resources. They include MobyMax Science, MobyMax Social Studies, Khan Academy, and Imagine Learning. Other online options for additional practice include Prodigy Math or Reading, other MobyMax modules, and i-Ready. Feel free to use whichever option you prefer if you're looking for additional ways to practice at home.
The only required homework is that students should complete any classwork that they did not finish in the classroom. Some students take great initiative to proactively bring their classwork home, while other students choose to leave the work in their folder. When they do that, they tend to fall behind fairly early in the week. I remind students to take incomplete work home, but it's ultimately their responsibility to do so when they pack up their belongings at the end of the day.
To help you follow up at home, I'll be posting daily classwide assignments on the embedded slide (which can also be found on the Homework page) so students and families can see what was expected to be finished in class each day. Other Reading assignments vary by student/day, because students go to different literacy centers each day. With rare exceptions, enough class time is provided so that students should be able to complete the assignment during the school day.
Students who complete all weekly classwork and show respect to others throughout the week will be able to participate in Fun Friday activities on Friday afternoons.