Classroom News

Literacy Centers
with
Mrs. McDavid

Our daily schedule has been restructured to provide students with more hands-on literacy activities. Literacy Centers allow students the opportunity to add new reading strategies to their tool kit and perfect those already acquired. The use of centers provides the students an opportunity to move about the room which stimulates their learning capacity.

During Literacy Centers students will be pulled to work with the teacher in guided reading groups and develop word attack strategies.

Students will participate daily in the following centers:

LITERACY CENTERS

Science Center
Students will focus on nonfiction science text.

Buddy Reading
Students will read a book with a partner and use discussion prompts to discuss the text.

Poetry Center
Students will read a selected piece of poetry and complete task cards.

Listening Center
Students will listen to a book on tape and complete a tape summary recording sheet or a graphic organizer.

Silent Reading
Students will read their A.R. books or a selected book from the classroom library using sticky note codes.

Working With Words
Students will make words, complete spelling activities, or complete phonics practice sheets. Also includes ABC order and dictionary skills.

Non-Fiction Center
Students will select a non-fiction text from the basket and answer question stems, use sticky notes to make connections, or complete a graphic organizer.

Writing Center
Students will respond to daily writing prompts. Students are responsible for completing two writing prompts during each visit to the writing center.

Vocabulary Center
Students will complete vocabulary activities or task cards.

Grammar Gorillas
Students will complete spelling activities or pocket centers.

Handwriting Center
Students who need extra handwriting practice can work with their handwriting books.

Drama Center
Students will work with a partner to build fluency by practicing poetry and two-person plays.

Guided Reading
Students will read with Mrs. McDavid using leveled books. The Guided Reading Center will support concepts covered in the Anthology.

Centers are an important part of the learning environment. Assessments will be taken from the work completed during centers. The On Track Spelling program is ongoing and grades are acquired through testing.

Thank you for your continued support.

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Missing Assignments
Before School Detention

Unfortunately, the occurrence of missing/incomplete classwork has increased over the last few weeks. Students are expected to keep up with their daily work in class as well as turn in all homework assignments. Please check your child's journal to ensure that all homework assignments are completed and turned in daily.

In addition, students are responsible for completing independent learning assignments in a timely manner. These assignments include morning work (review worksheets or board work), daily writing journal prompts, on-track spelling, Accelerated Reader and Accelerated Math. It is in these areas where students are falling behind. In an effort to assist students with staying on track with independent learning assignments, Before School Detention will be scheduled for Monday's and Wednesday's each week from 8:00 to 8:30. Students receiving detention will be notified 24 hours in advance in order to arrange alternate transportation.

In an effort to communicate your child's needs, notes have been and will continue to be posted in the journal. Thank you for your continued support.

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Mechanical Pencils

Students are welcome to use mechanical pencils at school. If your child would like to use a mechanical pencil to complete daily class work, then please encourage them to do so. In addition, they will need No. 2 pencils. We use answer forms to complete Accelerated Math, End-of-Unit tests in Reading, and of course the CRCT and MAP assessments. These forms are sent through the computer and the software will not read marks made by a mechanical pencil. Therefore, please make sure that your child has No. 2 pencils in their supply kit.

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On Track Spelling

During the school year, students will participate in a differentiated spelling program. Dimon Magnet Academy is a strong supporter of differentiated instruction. We believe that learning should be student-centered. Rather than teach whole group spelling, we will now be immersed in student-centered spelling instruction. Students will work at their own pace.

The spelling program works by providing students with a five word spelling list and a choice of activities. It is much easier for children to internalize five spelling words than fifteen. The child selects his spelling list, completes four spelling activities, submits his work, and then takes the test. As you can see, it will be easy to take three or four spelling tests a week. The spelling tests will be available in paper format so that the children can easily access the test that corresponds with their spelling card.

Students must complete a minimum of 3 spelling lists each week.

Click on the link below to see a list of spelling activities:

Spelling Activities

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Graded Papers

Graded papers will be sent home on a day to day basis. Once the papers are graded, they will be placed in the child's mailbox. Please check your child's communication folder daily for these very important papers.

Papers receiving a grade less than 80% will be held and sent home using the Progress Assessment form. These papers will require your signature and should be sent back to school within two school days.

Thank you for your continued support.

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