on the unit and the kind of words we are studying during a particular week.
However, regardless of the above sheets, all students must write five sentences each evening so by Thursday/Friday they have about 25 sentences. I do spot checks to see if some students leave this home work until Thursday evening and then rush. This is where your cooperation is appreciated.
Marking of sentences. Each sentence is marked out of two marks. I usually encourage students to choose their "best" ten sentences for marks. But at this time, we are just learning "how to write a good sentence with detail, description, interesting, etc...
To practice memorizing spelling words one may use many strategies, such as using flash cards, which can be kept in the car, around the study area or better yet make a new list of the spelling words and place it on the kitchen fridge for daily use and practice.
I also want to share with you that the spelling word mark is not the only mark for Langauge Arts. It also includes, reading comprehension, daily journals, sentences, reading responses and other assignments.
Marking in general: For all assignments, criteria is given and discussed before giving the assignment as well as after. I often mark one or two assignments with the class, after writing the criteria on the board. This is done with the permission of one or two students, and then we discuss improvement strategies with the class for future such assignments. Most
of the time students are encouraged to do self marking, based on the criteria discussed. Surprisingly, they are very close to the "teacher mark".
To make sense of the marks and letter grades and percents, I encourage and make it mandatory after a while to convert their mark into percentage as well as letter grade. This of course, is done with the help of a calculator! They actually enjoy learning about, decimals, division, place value and rounding off rules!
Students should daily have marks in their planners, depending on what they got back that day. Encourage your child to share how and why he/she might have received the mark that he/she received and how it could be improved in the future. (Was it a lazy mistake!)
Social Studies and Science: in Social Studies, we are currently working on Maps and related concepts, as well as the First Nations introduction.
In Science, we are learning about water, the water cycle and much more.
In Physical Education, we working on a Dance unit.
Finally, in Art, we are working on "Creative Illusion", Thanksgiving art,
Halloween drawings and watercolour paintings.
( See, Some Educational Tips for Parents page five)
