Navigators
Intermediate Multiage
Russ Yates -Teacher
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Welcome
Our classroom is a great place to learn. It seems there is something new and interesting happening all of the time. Whether it is a simulation to help us learn a slice of history, a hands on activity to help us understand a concept in math, or a set of cooperative projects that we get to present to our class, you can bet that we have learned a great deal ... and enjoyed it too!
On this page you will find class information and links to pages that are useful and specific to our classroom. Of course, things will change from time to time, so keep posted.
Handy Links:
There are four main parts to homework; weekly spelling, independent reading, monthly projects, and occasional math. Much of the homework in our classroom is project based. Each month students are given a menu of choices that revolve around a theme. With your help, they may choose any of the projects listed, modify any of them, or even make up appropriate alternatives. Students are not required to work each day, although they may. I do however encourage each student to work a minimum of 1 to 2 hours per week on these projects. Many students will be able to finish more than one project per month, however, all projects completed should be done to a level that shows your child has gained a new depth of understanding as well as having learned or refined various skills. On Fridays students will be required to turn in a Homework Time Sheet. These time sheets will document the amount of time spent on homework as well as the work that was accomplished. Please help your child complete these time sheets as a part of their homework each day that they do some work and initial the time sheets in the appropriate spaces. To help your child complete their homework projects successfully, plan to sit down with him or her when the menu is first brought home. Go over the different options and help your child choose a project, modify one on the menu, or create a new project that matches the month's theme. Next, use the Project Planning Form to break the project into manageable "chunks" and decide on dates for when each portion of the project should be completed. As the month progresses, check periodically with your child to find out if they need help with their project and if they are "on schedule." At first your child will likely need a fair amount of help. With time he or she should gradually become more independent while completing their homework projects. Below are links to this year's homework menus (2008-2009).
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A regular weekly portion of your child's homework supports their increasing ability to spell words correctly. To this end I would like you to help your child learn their list of 20 spelling words by Friday. Note that they should bring home a 60 word spelling list. They have been assigned only 20 of these words as are listed at the top of the page and are written on their pretest (Note: some students will have 10 words assigned to them. Please check with Russ if you feel that your child's list is too difficult or too easy). In addition, they will be completing a Spelling Pattern page as homework. Below find links to all of our spelling lists. To return to this page from the lists use your web browser's back button.
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Math homework will be sporadic in that some weeks your child will have as many as 2 math homework assignments, and many weeks none. These are assignments that compliment our "Investigations" math program. This part of the math curriculum focuses on concept building and mathematical problem solving, supporting students' math learning with hands on and thought-refining activities. The homework that is tied to this program will be given out during the week rather than just on Fridays and it will have specific due dates. Please watch for these occasional homework assignments as they are time sensitive.
Finally, students are encouraged to incorporate a regular schedule of reading into their homework routine. The choice of reading materials for this should be self-selected and based on your child's personal interests, or supportive of one of the monthly homework projects she or he is working on. Please feel free to have your child include the time spent reading on the homework time sheet.
One of the pocket folders your child brought to school as a part of their supplies will be designated as a homework folder. I encourage them to keep it in their backpacks, using it to neatly transport homework and notes back and forth between home and school. Look for it regularly as it should contain either homework or communication from school.
I want to be sure there is clear and frequent communication between home and school. To that end I will send home a packet of corrected student work each Monday in your child's homework folder. At the front of the packet there will be a weekly note from me with room for comments, and other information about work completion. Please sign this form and return it the next school day, Tuesday. This form will help me keep track of whether or not you are receiving information about how well your child is doing with their schoolwork. The form also allows you to easily communicate with me by simply writing a quick note. I treat this as a homework assignment for the children to help insure that this piece of weekly communication is constant.
Students in our class are constantly learning and doing amazing things. Most of these things are shared with each other at school and with our families at home. Sometimes we create something that we would like to share using the Internet. Below are links to webpages and websites created by students in our Swan School class. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have enjoyed creating them.
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Student Guide To The Navigators' Class Student written guide begun 5-08 |
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Animals - Class writing project completed 4-06 |
| The Ritual of the Birds By Dylan The ritual of the birds, The ritual of the birds, |
Spring is Spring is like a bird
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Additional Information
- Student Supply List
- O.P.I. Clothing and Equipment List
- How Math Works
- A Note About The Spelling Pattern Page
