Please keep me informed if you ever have questions or concerns. I would like to encourage you to visit my classroom web page that I update daily with homework assignments and other important information. You may also email me at your convenience since I check this often every day.
Just go to www.alexander.k12.nc.us � click on visit schools � Ellendale Elementary � Classroom Links � Mr. Aten
I am sending home a permission form to include your child�s photo, work, and/or name for our classroom web page. Throughout the year, I may want to keep you informed of our successes by using only your child�s first name, your child�s work, and sometimes I may want to include your child�s picture receiving an award or obtaining a high goal like in Reading Counts or Accelerated Math. I understand most parents completed this form last year, however, I just want to update our records. Also, if any parent would like a copy of this form for your records, please complete the form and send it in with a note. I will make a copy of it immediately and send it home with your child.
Reading Comprehension
On Monday, I sent home a letter explaining this new homework assignment that I will be giving the students. I am asking you to listen to your child read aloud a short passage and work together answering the few comprehension questions. I like this week-by-week homework assignment because it gives your child practice reading from a variety of genres, while also drawing their attention to skills needed for the EOG test. Plus, your child will have all week to complete this assignment. Thank you for your support, and please let me know if I can assist you and your child in any way.
As of Aug. 31, we had 13 students that still needed to reach 15 points. However, since the program started on August 9, I have decided to give everyone three extra days. I hope this will enable more students to reach their goal.
I also hope that as we move into September, there will be more motivation within each student to reach next month�s goal of 30 points. I will continue to give students 10-15 minutes of time to read each day after lunch. However, they will need to set aside more time at home if they are going to reach the goal of 30 points by September 30.
Each Monday, I place five skillsheets in a folder for your child to complete throughout the week. Most students have over 20 minutes each morning as we wait for the announcements. Please continue to encourage your child to complete these assignments each day so they will not have to do it at home over the weekend.
I also want you to know that although your child may receive a grade on these papers, these grades will not reflect on their report card. I do not believe it is fair to take report card grades on material that we may not have necessarily studied in class.
I will be attending a weeklong seminar, The Mountain, at The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, NCCAT, from Sept. 20 � 24. I will be studying the mountain as a symbol and gain hands-on experiences in natural history. The goal is to gain a sense of renewal while also increasing my commitment to teaching and learning.
I will not be able to update my web page that week with our daily homework assignments, but the assignments will continue to be written on the board.
September 6 � NO SCHOOL � Labor Day
Sept. 17 � Grandparent�s Day � Lunch � 12:30 � 1:00
Sept. 20 � Sept. 24 � NCCAT � The Mountain