Mr. Monson’s Classroom Manual

Class Work, Assignments, and Responsibilities:

• Students will be expected to fill out an assignment notebook each week. Notebook should come home to be signed at the end of the week or daily in some cases.
• Behavior rubrics are sent home each Monday and should be returned the next day signed. They will include remarks on respect, responsibility, and safety during school hours.
• Assignments will be given a due date from one day to one week after they are assigned (longer for special projects). Late work is accepted and given credit two weeks after it is assigned or the end of the month.
• Assignments can be done during the school day, a regular-scheduled home work time, or at an after school program like the 21st Century Program. I will to do all I can to help with the success of your child and their work. Please take your time to set limits at home to also insure success.
• Assignments involving worksheets may require extra work for the teacher if lost. A limited number of extra worksheets are copied for each assignment. When they are gone, doing work around the classroom or school may purchase a replacement.
• Desks must be organized using color-coded folders and notebooks. Notebooks and folders include: Reading-Red, Writing-Green, Science-Purple, Math-Blue, Social Studies-Yellow, Take Home-Any Color, Anything Folder-Any Color.
• We utilize community supplies in our room. Students may have their supply of writing tools but crayons, colored pencils, and other art supplies are shared among classmates.

Extended Learning Credit:

• Extra credit for learning outside the school day will be considered using an Extended Learning Credit Application.
• Students may earn up to 25 extra points a quarter in each academic area for activities they participate in.
• Each hour of participation is worth five points.
• Examples may be but are not limited to: school patrol, drumming, dance, hockey, Lego robotics, family trips, museum visits, baby sitting, cooking, concerts, classes, etc.
• An Extended Learning Credit Application needs to be filled out and be accepted before the activity starts to be eligible for points.

Reading Grades:

• Reading “At grade level” is based on four criteria:
1. Scholastic vocabulary test scores between 70-94%.
2. Scholastic reading test scores between 70-94%.
3. Independently reading of at least 20 minutes daily (at home or another location) and fill out a reading calendar each month.
4. Oral reading fluency of at least 110 (beginning of year) to 139 (end of the year) words per minute.
• Based partially on weekly literature circle participation (if applicable).
• Based partially on reading class participation within our room, Ms. Boline’s room, or other settings.

Language Arts Grades:

• Based on student-written stories, poems, and other forms of writing.
• Scored using Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Fluency and Conventions traits from the Six Traits of Writing ®.
• Stories are kept in a student portfolio for future use with conferences and assessment, you may come look at your child’s portfolio at any time.

Spelling Grades:

• 50% based on weekly spelling contract and 50% based on spelling review scores.
• Spelling contracts assigned on Tuesdays of each week.
• Spelling Reviews (tests) given on Tuesdays of each week.

Social Studies Grades:

• Based on class participation and projects, and assessments throughout the quarter.
• 75% of grade will be participation and classroom work, 25% of grade will be assessments.

Mathematics Grades:

• Based on basic skills tests, math rotation participation, Investigations™ math participation, and daily computation, facts, and problem solving work.
• Daily work to include: Math 4 Today™ sheets, Pizzazz math packets, Thinker Math story packets, and Investigations worksheets.

Science Grades:

• Mr. Schmidt will be teaching science this year along with Ms. Nelson.
• Grades will be 25% assignments, 25% lab work, 25% assessments, and 25% lab journals.

Handwriting Grades:

• Based on writing samples throughout the quarter
• Writing samples include spelling contract and stories.

Art Grades:

• Please see Ms. Peterson for questions and comments.

Music Grades:

• Please see Mr. Ciurleo for questions and comments.

Physical Education Grades:

• Please see Ms. Hanna for questions and comments.

Behavior & Conduct Grades:

• Based on the behavior rubric scores throughout the quarter.
• Students are expected to be responsible, respectful, and safe inside and outside of the classroom. Positive leadership and citizenship is extremely important to me and I strive to achieve this utilizing group learning, peer cooperation, and positive problem solving strategies.
• We need to feel safe, welcome, and wanted within the school and the classroom. Harassment, bullying, and any behavior that hurts people or distracts from learning is below the line or bottom line behavior and will not be tolerated.
• “The Bridge” problem solving strategy is our prescribed method to solve problems between peers. Its use is expected throughout the year along with other conflict resolution skills.

Please contact me if you have any questions or comments. I am always open to new ideas, strategies, and thoughts regarding your child.

Phone: 733-2172 Ext. 301
E-Mail: Jay.Monson@duluth.k12.mn.us
Web: http://monsonclassroom.blogspot.com/