Homework 13 – 14 September

Monday – Math.  Conduct survey about favorites.  Math worksheet is glued into their math workbook.Tuesday – Spelling.  Complete Lesson 2 p14 – 19. Words with Long a. Wednesday – Grammar.  Identifying commands, statements, exclamations and questions.  Workbook p5-8Thursday – Science (Reading).  What are fossils RS46 – 47.

Homework 6 – 10 September

Monday: Math.  Place Value to 1,000.  Reteach and Practice Workbook p 7 -8Tuesday: Spelling.  Spelling Workbook Unit 1, Lesson 1, words with short a sound. p 8 – 13.  Due Thursday 9 SeptemberWednesday: Grammar.  Proof reading and writingcomplete sentences.  Workbook p 3-4Thursday: Reading/Science  What are the types of Rocks?  RS 44 – 45Friday – Sunday:  No set homework.  Maintenance work on Mathletics and Spellodrome.

Revised Homework Program

It has been decided to revise the current homework plan in order for children to complete activities that were taught during the day’s class sessions.  This new homework will be predominantly paper based and should hopefully give parents a better understanding of what is being covered in class.  Please have a look at the following overview

 

Monday

Math focus – Accelerated Math or work from the Practice Workbook/Textbook.

Tuesday

Spelling focus – Children to complete the activities in the Spelling Workbook for this week’s spelling unit.  The spelling test will continue on Friday.  Those children who have chosen to complete the Spelling Challenge are to also complete this.

Wednesday

Grammar focus – extension work to be completed in Houghton Mifflin grammar workbook.

Thursday

Reading focus – Activities will be based on what the guided reading group was focusing on during the day’s Reading session.

Friday/Weekend

Current Events – Children are to find an article in a newspaper, identify the main idea and state three facts about the article.  They will present this in their Oral Language buddy groups on Monday morning.

 

How this affects the original homework program

Mathletics tasks will continue to be set for work to be done in class and at home.  However, this is no longer a requirement for the regular homework schedule.  Likewise, children will be encouraged to write and comment on a post for our Grade 3 Writing Blog, but this is no longer a homework requirement.  The Reading log will continue as a way for children to track what they have been reading.  Extra homework tied to Inquiry and which may involve research, may also be sent home during the week.

 

Where homework will be recorded

The agenda will be used more frequently as a means to communicate homework between home and school.  At the end of each day/specific subject, the children will write the homework in their agenda for that evening.   If work is to be done in a textbook/workbook, the page number will be recorded and the WALT (We are Learning To) intention.  I will sign my name beside where they recorded their homework to verify that I have seen them correctly write in their homework.  If parents wish to also sign the agenda each evening upon the homework being completed and/or write a note concerning the homework, please feel free to use the agenda in this way.

 

Homework expectations

The homework must be completed each night and handed in the following morning, with the exception of the Spelling work as more work is expected to be completed in the book.  The completed work in the spelling workbook must be handed in on Thursday morning.  If homework is not able to be completed, a note needs to be written and signed by the child’s parent explaining the situation.  Any child who does not complete their homework and no valid reason given, will be required to miss out on their free time/recess to complete their homework.  A new homework sticker chart will be created and children will be given a sticker each day if they complete their homework.  Children who complete all their homework during the week and for the rest of the school year, will be given a reward.

Inquiry Project

Inquiry Project

To help us understand and answer our big question (What does it mean to be Caymanian?), each student will be inquiring into a certain aspect of Cayman.  The children have now chosen their topics and written questions to guide their Inquiry.  In class, research time will be given on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon.  The rest of the research will need to be completed at home as part of their weekly homework.  Once all research has been completed, children will present their information as a Power Point presentation.  This will be worked on during the week 18 – 22 January.  The children will then share their Power Point presentations either at the end of that week or the beginning of the next, 25 or 26 January.  Parents will be informed about the time and date we intend to share our work so that they can come and view the Power Point presentations.

Rubric for Inquiry Project

 

D

C

B

A

Questions

Teacher directs the focus of the Inquiry questions.

Some teacher assistance needed to write the focus for the Inquiry questions.

Little to no teacher assistance needed to write the focus for the Inquiry questions.

Independently writes thoughtful and engaging questions.

Research

·         Utilizes effective reading techniques e.g. skimming and scanning, finding the main idea, supporting details and the sequence of events.

·         Can use a variety of sources for information e.g. internet, books, personal expert.

·         Records where they found that information (source).

·         Records information neatly and in their own words i.e. does not copy sentences/paragraphs from their source.

·         Answers their questions which were written to guide their Inquiry.

Expectations for Grading

Meets only one or two of the research criteria.

Meets three of the research criteria.  May meet more of the criteria but only with a lot of teacher/adult input.

Meets four of the research criteria

Meets all five of the research criteria.

Presentation

·         Is able to use the features of Power Point e.g. create new slides, add pictures, animations and backgrounds.

·         Slides are appropriately sequenced with helpful headings.

·         Only main points are listed on the Power Point and the speaker adds more details about their research as they present.

·         Shows a thorough understanding of their topic by effectively answering questions from others at the end of their presentation.

Expectations for Grading

Meets only one or two of presentation criteria.

Meets two or three of the presentation criteria. 

Meets three to four of the presentation criteria.

Meets all the presentation criteria.  Shows a confidence about their topic as an ‘expert’ in this area.