August 2011
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to sixth grade! I am delighted to be your teacher this year. We’re going to have a GREAT year together. Remember, the first day of school is Monday, Aug. 22. School begins at 8:20 a.m. Don’t think about school yet, though. You still have plenty of vacation days left!
If you’d like to know more about your new teacher – that’s me! – I invite you to go online to http://deanadventures.com/schoolsite/aboutme.htm. Our class website URL is http://deanadventures.com/schoolsite/school.htm. Go there to find lots of information and resources. For those of you who don’t have the Internet, this letter will provide you with the necessary information.
I am very interested in getting to know you. I want to help you realize your potential. I want to help you be excited about your education. We’re going to have lots of learning fun together.
You should know that I’ve been in education since 1985. I love working with young people. In my classroom there are thirty two computers (18 of which are laptops), thirty-two mini handheld computers, thirty TI calculators, a big screen projector, a scanner, two Interwrite boards, a document camera, microphones . . .well – lots of technology tools that we use to individualize student learning.
Please read through the attached Class Plan so that you are aware of how this year will run. After reading the information, please sign and return the bottom part of the last page when you come on the 22nd. This way I will know that you know our plan.
We will provide all necessary materials this year, but we would appreciate it if you could donate one box of tissues to our classroom. You may wait until sniffle season to send this, if you’d like. Also, students, please bring a couple of extra pencils.
Thanks in advance for your support! I look forward to a great year.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Vickie Dean, M.Ed.
7635 W. 3715 S., Magna, UT 84044
Telephone (385) 646-4792
Mrs. Dean’s Class 2011-12
Classroom Plan
Attendance: Students are expected to come to school on time. At the end of the year, students with zero tardies and/or perfect attendance will receive special awards. If a student must be gone for whatever reason, it is important that the parent write and send a signed note to school with the child upon his/her return to class.Discipline:All students are expected to behave responsibly. No one is permitted to keep the class from learning. Hard work is a reward in itself, but coupons for the End-of-Track Sale, additional computer time, certificates, special privileges, treats, little prizes, notes and such will be given to encourage students to make good use of time. If a student chooses to act irresponsibly by disrupting class, not following school rules or by not working, the following will occur:
1st disruption or misbehavior: Student is given a warning.
2nd disruption or misbehavior: Student misses one recess and/or parent will be contacted.Math: We at Copper Hills want students to value mathematics and be able to communicate and reason mathematically. We use an excellent math program called “Everyday Mathematics”, and we've recently adopted the national Common Core. Students will have math homework every weeknight. This may be a Study Link from our Everyday Math program or some problem solving sheet. The focus this year is on students learning and practicing math reasoning. You may check out my math website at http://deanadventures.com/math2.html for more information and resources. Feel free to use any of the resources to help your child with his/her math practice. Even if a child finishes homework in school, he/she should still engage in 20 minutes of math practice/problem solving each weeknight.
Reading/Language: Students in my class are required to read twenty to thirty minutes every week night. Books are very important in my classroom. Each student must carry a reading book to read when s/he finishes regular class work. Books may be checked out from my classroom library, the school library or town libraries. Once again, our school will be participating in the Accelerated Reading and Star programs.
Each month I will also send home book order forms. Purchases are not required; this is merely a service provided for your convenience. Please make any checks payable to the book club, not to me.
Also, students are required to complete one-page book reports on each book that they complete or s/he may take and pass an Accelerated Reading test on the book. Book reports should tell the title, author and number of pages in the book. It should also tell about the plot, setting, characters and ending. These reports are to encourage students to read. Book reports must be signed by a parent. 400 pages of reading are required each trimester. I will be rewarding students who engage in reading. Books read should be on the appropriate reading level.
Comprehension Tests: Students will be assigned a language arts test at the end of each week. This tests what has been studied throughout the week. Students have one week to complete this four page test which includes vocabulary, language, comprehension and writing assessments. I encourage students to take their books and their tests home during the week in order to work on the test a little each night.
Spelling: I have purchased an online spelling program which goes along with our SRA Imagine It spelling/vocabulary program. Students may practice their weekly vocabulary and spelling words at this site: http://www.spellingcity.com/vdean/ Each student will take a front of year spelling assessment to determine which list he/she will study each week - the longer words or the shorter words. There are also five challenge words that, if students spell those words correctly, will earn extra points on each test. These challenge words are optional. We take a practice test on Thursdays. The regular spelling/vocabulary tests are every Friday.L-E-A-R-N Monthly Calendars: On the first day of each new month, I will send home the new calendar where students will record important homework that will lead to academic excellence. Please post this calendar in a place where there is easy access and where it can be viewed often. (August’s LEARN calendar is included in this mailer.) First, on those days when you have completed at least 20 minutes of at-home reading, record an R on the date. Twenty R’s are required each month. Second, on those dates when 20 minutes of at-home math practice has been completed, record an A. The last three programs listed here are not required, but are optional and will help build excellence and self-esteem. Third, record an E on the monthly LEARN Calendar when there has been at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise. This exercise must be after school and may be aerobic exercise of any type. Fourth, record an N on the date when nutrition has been optimum. This means that you have eaten fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains, etc. and there has been very little junk food consumed. Finally, write an L on the date when something new has been learned. This can be something that was learned during or after school. This little “learning info” must also be recorded into a “Learning” notebook and turned into me at the end of the year for a special award and recognition. Remember, only the reading and math are required. There is no homework on weekends. The exercise, nutrition and learning parts of the LEARN Calendar are optional. You can remember the five parts for excellence using the L-E-A-R-N acronym:
L = Learn something new every day. Mark an L on the date on your calendar and record the thing you learned in your Learning notebook or in your planner.
E = Exercise every week day. Mark an E on the date when you exercised at least 20 minutes.
A = Arithmetic every week day. Mark an A on the date when you did 20 minutes of math work.
R = Read every week day. Mark an R on the date when you read at least 20 minutes.
N = Nutrition every week day. Mark an N on the date when you ate nutritional foods and very little junk food.
The above program requirements – 20 minutes of reading, math, and exercise -- must be completed after or before regular school time. Students may not count the reading, math and exercise we do during school time.
The LEARN Monthly Calendars are to be returned by the second week of the next month. Each monthly calendar must be signed by the parent.Golden Sneaker: In addition, we are participating in the governor's Golden Sneaker exercise program. Students earn one point for each 20 minutes of aerobic type exercise. A student can only earn a maximum of two points per day. The Golden Sneaker points should be recorded on the L.E.A.R.N. calendar. Please total, write and circle the month’s Golden Sneaker points on the calendar. Also, the Golden Sneaker form must be completed for the month and attached to the LEARN calendar if one is working towards the end of year award. These forms are available in the back of the room by the drinking fountain.
Planners: We are providing each student with the Copper Hills School Planner (Agenda). The agenda is designed to help students manage their time and plan their day so that they can take an active part in controlling their academic achievement. Copper Hills Elementary requires all students to bring the agenda to school every day. I expect my students to record their assignments in their agendas. Each Monday morning we will write the week’s events, schedule, activities and many assignments into these planners. Monday evening, parents need to read and sign the planner underneath the info we wrote that day. Students turn their planners into me each Tuesday morning. I read any parent notes and initial next to the parent’s signature. This method should help you be informed about assignments, tests, projects, school events, etc.
Grading and Assessments: You may access assignment information, scores, averages and grades any time by going to the district’s online grading program at gb.granite.k12.ut.us. This is the program that you will use throughout junior high and high school, too. The first time you go to the site, you will need to set up an account. When setting up the account, you will choose a username and password. You will use the name and password in the future in order to access important information. If you haven’t Internet access, never fear because each morning I hand out a “Missing Work” report to each of my students. Every student will always know just what work may be missing.
In the gradebook you will see the usual categories such as Reading, Spelling, Language, etc., and you will also see a "Baselines" category. This section does not count on the student's report card or progress report. It is for us to see where students began and how they are progressing. You will find this part interesting, but remember, it does not count on the grade.Re-doing Poor Work & Late Work: In my class any student may re-do any assignment up until three days before the end of each term. The student is in charge of earning whatever grade s/he wishes to work for. For example, a poor score can be boosted to 80% by re-doing the assignment. I take late work but subtract points for each day that the assignment is late. After an assignment is past due four days, the highest score a student can receive is an 80%.
Outstanding Citizens: Students who have all work up to date, follow school rules, and who have no "N"s will be among the Copper Hills Outstanding Citizens. These students receive daily recognition and incentives to keep up the good work.
Absences: When a student misses school, it is impossible to make up what was missed. I realize that sometimes absences are necessary. Parents, please check with your child after an absence to insure that s/he has picked up make-up work. The online grading program will help you discern if work is missing.
Absent Work: Students are responsible for making up absent or missing work. Absent work is due one week after the student returns to school. It is the student’s responsibility to make up missing work. Work that is not made up will be counted as zero scores. It is never too late to make up missing work unless it is the last few days before the end of the term!
Report Cards: Report cards go out at the end of each of the three terms. Check the online grades program often, too, to see assignments and grades. Remember that each morning students will receive a report listing any work that is missing. When I am not on duty, any student may stay inside to complete work.
Portfolios: An electronic portfolio of work will be kept for each student. Students will save their work onto their USB drives and onto the network drive. A CD or DVD portfolio will go home with the student at the end of the school year.
Parent Participation: Your participation in your child’s education is crucial to our success. If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me. You may call me before or after school or at home on my cell phone: 801-573-3046. You may visit us any time, but I cannot meet with you during regular instruction time. We also encourage you to share your expertise with our class. Let me know if you’ve something to share with us, and if we can tie it to our curriculum, we would love to have you teach us!
Free or Reduced Fee Lunch: Be aware that you should look for a packet of information to come home to you the first day of school. In this packet from Copper Hills Elementary, you will find an application for free or reduced fee lunch (and/or breakfast). We would encourage you to take advantage of this program if you qualify.
Advanced Learners Programs: Copper Hills has a gifted committee made up of teachers, parents and administrators. Our committee feels strongly about supporting and meeting the needs of students who will become future leaders in our communities.
Since my class is the Advanced Learners’ class, you should know a little about my experience with Advanced Learners. Before coming to Copper Hills, I taught gifted/talented or advanced learners classes throughout the year. I taught district summer classes to gifted students. I also taught teachers how to use technology tools to address the needs of the gifted child. I have visited various schools in the Davis and Jordan districts to learn about their gifted programs. I wrote and was awarded several grants. I nominated gifted students to receive the state’s most gifted award. In 1999 I was honored to present this prestigious award to one of my students at the state’s annual convention.
All students are gifted in their own way. I believe that my challenge is to individualize and differentiate instruction to help students identify and develop their skills and abilities so that they will have rewarding careers and happy, successful lives.
Glance through programs we will be running in our school and/or in my classroom:
- Creative Pursuits
- Debate & Mock Trials
- Future Problem Solving: 3-6 - This program offers upper grade students the opportunity to use creative thinking and problem solving skills in a competitive format.
- Science Fair - Students use their creativity to invent or improve a product used at home or school. Finished products may be on display at their annual fair.
- Jr. Great Books: 3-6
- Math Olympiads: K-6 – Each monthly contest consists of five difficult problems. Every problem requires careful mathematical thinking and has a time limit. Each student, working alone, scores 1 point for each correct answer. A student may score up to 25 points per year. In addition, each week, students may engage in the Olympiad Practice Problems. There are five problems each week. Students have one week to solve and turn in the practice problems. Parents may work with the students on these. It's a great way for everyone involved to strengthen problem solving and reasoning skills. Those students with the most practice points on the weekly Olympiad Practice Problems will receive a Math Olympiad Champ t-shirt at the end of the year.
- State History Fair: 3-6:
- Talented Young Authors K-6: Several different programs and contests are available for gifted young authors.
- Talents Unlimited, Inc.: K-6 – Productive Thinking, Decision Making, Planning, Forecasting, Communication activities for advanced learners.
In addition to the above optional programs, our class participates in various technology driven projects which teach the sixth grade Common Core curriculum.
Any time you are looking for educational resources, go to my Utah Education Network website at http://my.uen.org/209847 or my EDesk website at: http://vdean.myedesk.org/ .
Thanks for reading all of this information! Please cut along the line below and return the bottom portion to me. I am excited about this new year and look forward to working with you!! See you soon!
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My child’s name is ____________________. I have read the above information.
_____________________________________________
Parent Signature
Your comments are welcome: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please return this bottom portion only. Keep the rest for reference, please. Thanks!
