Starting next week, many of our students will be learning how to tell time on analog clocks. Expect to see homework coming home to support the student’s skill level in this area. When you see the homework, feel free to find real world situations to support their learning. For example, point to the clock at 5:00 (if hours are what your student is working on) and say “The news is coming on. What time is it?”
I have had the most awesome thing happen. I have had some parents and some students ask me for more homework. I will have a standard (one page) homework assignment that goes home with almost everyone. The one page of homework will be the only one that gets extra dojo points depending on how quickly it gets back to class. I will also start sending home worksheets and assignments that coincide with what the student needs to work on to support his work in small groups. I would like this work home by the last day of the week. Feel free to spread it out so that you have some for each night, if you like.
I am going to start rewarding students who complete extra homework by using a program called Classcraft. Students will earn experience points for their character by completing teacher assigned worksheets, book reports or answering math problems on prodigy. Their character can earn special powers such as getting to sit in Mrs. Ashley’s chair for typing, getting five extra minutes of freetime or even getting out of the first 15 minutes of work for a day. There are many other incentives and the students seem very enthusiastic.
Next week is “Positive Me” Week. Here is a list of activities.
Our first field trip is Thursday October 12th. We plan on being at McDonald’s at 11:00 and Green Acres at 12:00. Feel free to join us at either or both locations.
In the very near future, expect to see an increase in the amount of homework that comes home. Homework is going to be even more varied than it is now. Eventually we will be sending homework in Math, Writing and Reading.
We are currently reading the book “Holes” in class. I am sending home a permission slip so that we can watch the movie in class to compare and contrast. The movie is rated PG.PG Movie Permission Slip
Here is our schedule of field trips for the year. I am sending permission slips home tomorrow with the students. Please email me if you have any concerns.
We are now doing voluntary book reports. Any student who does a book report can bring it back to class and receive 1-6 points for their class dojo (I let them roll a dice). They can do as many as 4 book reports per week. I have included the link to the book report form under the helpful info tab. We also have forms in the class that the students can take home. For those students who are non-readers, if someone were to read the story to them and ask them the questions and fill it out for them, that works too.
I sent home material for our school’s cookie dough fund raisers. Although normally I am not too enthusiastic about fundraisers, Quest Academy and especially the Junior High are doing so many new things that I am excited about, it is definitely a necessary evil to pay for every thing. Please do what you can. I have seen amazing changes since I have been here.
The Junior High has a new program where teachers can give a PRIDE card to a student who is displaying: Personal Responsibility, Integrity, Discipline, Respect and Engagement. The students take these cards to the office and have a chance at winning a prize at the end of the day. Several of our students have been recognized in this way.
There are two fun events coming up this week.
Jr. High Back to School Social (for 6-9th graders)
Thursday 24 August at 6-8pm at the Quest Academy
Pool Party
Friday 25 August 7:30-9:30pm Clearfield Aquatic Center.
I am very excited to be starting a new school year! Summer was too long again. I am looking forward to still having monthly field trips, but exploring some new locations. I plan to keep our focus on skills we will need in the “wild” and I found some more things we can do with money scenarios. I also hope to be able to do two plays this year.
I am looking forward to seeing you all very soon.
