Mrs. Corwin's Class

Reading Homework Expectations:

 

•  Reading homework is for students to read for a total of 100 minutes each week (Monday through Sunday night).  You and your child have the freedom to decide how to segment those minutes.  Children may read 20 minutes each night for 5 nights,  complete a 100 minute-long reading marathon, or do anything in between.  

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• Students track and log their reading minutes on the calendars in the FRONT of the assignment book (NOT the same area where assignments are written).  Students write the minutes read on the day they were read and  have an adult initial or sign EACH box.

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• Mrs. Crowe will check the logs in the assignment books each Monday.  If there is no school on Monday, they will be checked on Tuesday.

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• T​​he ONLY way for your child to grow as a reader is if he/she reads and reads often  (see charts below) so please do all that you can to ensure reading is a positive and enjoyable experience in your home.   

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Reading Materials Expectations - the same materials need to be brought to class daily regardless of whether or not you think you. They include:

 

1.  A pencil (pencils may be borrowed from a classmates or you may take one from the pencil cup outside of the classroom). As long as you have a pencil BEFORE class begins, there is no consequence.  If you don't have a pencil when it is time to do your work and/or if you ask ME for a pencil, a warning will be issued. 

 

2.  Reading journal (a marble journal - we made sure everyone had one by the 3rd day of school)

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3.  Independent reading book  (from my class library, the DAIS library, or from home) 

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4.  Assignment book (distributed on the first day of school) 

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6.  Homework folder (created the first day of school in homerooms)

 

7. Free Writing spiral notebook

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8.  Any homework that was assigned 

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 A note to parents               

 

Please trust me that I have your child's best interests at heart and that I am working hard to ensure he/she will grow as a learner this year.  Take some time to talk to parents who had students who were in my classroom in previous years.  I am confident they will tell you that I am committed to each and everyone of my students and that ALL of my students grow both academically and socially. 

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I teach a growth mindset and help students to recognize their successes regardless of how small.  When something is hard we tell ourselves, "I haven't learned this YET."  A growth mindset helps them to face their challenges head-on and to embrace the struggle because they know it means they are learning something new.   

 

Learning is a journey and sometimes that journey begins with B's, C's, D's or even failing grades.  If your child has an IEP, it is likely that completing 4th grade skills will be challenging.  Miss Santiago, our team's learning support teacher, is responsible for scaffolding and supporting these students through the creation of modified materials when deemed necessary.   If you have questions about your learning support child's performance or needs, please contact her directly. 

 

I will tell you directly that I am NOT the sort of teacher who is willing to DO the work for my students.   I will support.  I will assist.  I will offer advice and resources in order to scaffold and support but the work that is completed WILL BE authentic.   If you know your child as a learner you should be able to recognize work that he/she completes versus work that he/she had perhaps a little too much assistance with.    In the short run, you and your child may be happy because with that assistance the work appears strong and the grade is high but in the long run it HURT your child more than it helped because your child never learned how to do the work skillfully him/herself and if/when the time comes to do so, the grade will be less than ideal.   

 

By insisting that my students do authentic work, I can accurately identify where their needs lie and provide future instruction to help them learn the skills they are struggling with.  The students understand this struggle because I talk about it every day in class and there is no better feeling than when they realize they've mastered something new.   I take my responsibilities as a teacher seriously and the only way I can ensure your child LEARNS this year.   Please praise your child for his/her effort and positive attitudes as much as you do for their grades - please help me by focusing on their strengths and how they have improved and grown. 

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                               READING EVERY DAY IS KEY!