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Question Page

Here we will work on trying to answer some common questions parents have about how and what we are doing. If there is something you'd like to ask please feel free to send questions to [email protected]

How do we grade the spelling test?
Good question. It is complecated. We are trying to use a writing rubric much like the state uses on the 3rd grade ISTEP. This will get the students ready for what will be very important.
There are 14 points. One for each word and then one for the capital and puncuation and all the words in the sentence. Then if all the words in the spelling sentence are right we give them 2 extra credit points. So it is possible to get 102 points if all words are spelled right and the puncuation and Capitals are present.
One Monday I also give one Monster word. It is usually one that goes along with either Reading or Social Studies or Science. It is one they didn't get to study ahead of time. And it is added to the total- if they spell it right. If they don't I just write it for them, but I don't deduct anything. You either get the word right and get a bonus or you don't .

When is the best time to reach you at school?
There are several good times. Keep in mind our whole day is VERY busy. We don't have any Down time like some teachers used to have in the old days. There is NO time to sit and relax. I am giving you times to try that might work best. Please keep in mind that on any break I may be running errands for our class such as running papers or getting supplies. I may be at meetings and I may have a parent or another teacher I need to talk with. I won't always be available even at these times.
I arrive by 7:30 most days. I am not required to be here until 7:50. So in rare cases I may be that late. I spend my mornings getting ready. Runnning papers, getting things and talking with other teachers about schedules and such. I am not usually in the room for long. Leave a message and if I get it before class takes up I will call you if I can. Please remember to leave your name, a number to reach you at and when is best to reach you. I also appreciate it if you give me some idea what you might need to talk about.

Our class comes in at 7:50 and we take up by 8:10 I will not be available to talk while my students are in classafter 8:10..
Special class is 8:50-9:20 but I take them to specials, run errands while out and you will have the best chance to catch me in the room from 9:00- 9:20. I may go get the students from special and be gone again after that.
Recess is 9:30-9:40 If you don't catch me. Keep in mind I may be on duty.
11:00-12:00 is noon. If I am not on dury I usually try to be back in the room by 11:50.
1:20-1:30 recess- if I'm not on duty I am usually in the room during this time.
3:25 after all the students leave for the day. Unless I have a teachers or team meeting. Or if I have car duty on the 4th week of Sept., Dec., and March.
I usually stay until 4:00. I try to make sure I have my desk in order and things ready for the morning. I will try to clean up a little and take care of our growing class zoo. If you need to talk this is a good time. Let the phone ring because I may be across the room or have wet hands if I am working with animals. The answering machine will turn on by 4th ring. So you might want to let it ring 3 times and then redial if yo don't want the answering machine. If I don't get to the phone on the second try I am out of the room. But I will ask that if your conversation will run past 4:00 or 4:10 please make an appointment or try another time. I am very busy during evenings and my family suffers when I stay later then planned. You can call me at home but I am hard to catch most nights. I also work on this site in the evenings so if you get a busy signal that seems long I am probably working on this or one of the other sites I maintain.
If you have tried to reach me and been unable to do so, then a note on homework notes will let me know you need to talk with me and if you give me a number and when to reach you I will do my best to try and make connections.

How many students in your room?
We have 20 students and several adults. We have a high school cadet, and 2 teachers assistants who work in our room during different times of the day.