A Room With No View
Anyone ready for Spring? This is the drift outside of our classroom window. Luckily some of it has melted. Previously you couldn't see out at all.
Important!
Mrs. Scheffer, Mrs. Melnyk and I need your support. Many students are not doing their homework; far too many for us to be able to call home each day or send individual e-mails. In one class period last week I had 14 students without their work (an easy 5 min. assignment). Multiply this by 5 classes. I hope you can understand the magnitude of this problem. As a rule we give very little work to do at home. Reading 30 min., math, and any studying for tests is to be expected, but very little in the way of actual assignments. As this problem continues, we fall further behind due to having to provide additional class time to allow for "catch up". We have attempted to use lunch time, but we are finding that this is not working being that 15 minutes goes to eating and 5 to work completion.
In an effort to help the kids stay on top of their work, I have provided students time during SS to set up their HAC accounts with usernames and passwords. This is acheived by simply contacting the help desk and asking for the information. Parents and students have seperate usernames and passwords. Students have been instructed to check HAC weekly and follow up on any missing work. I have instructed my homeroom students to do their check the first five minutes of class each morning while I am taking attendance and addressing students' questions and issues. Many students wander in the hallways rather than coming in to class and getting organized for the day. There is plenty of time if they choose to take advantage of it.
As a result of the building's Zeros Aren't Permitted Policy, no zeros will be entered into HAC. If an assignment is not turned in by the due date, I am willing to offer an extention if the student sees me, but if the work is not turned in within a week, it will become a 50% in HAC. It is still a failing grade, but will prevent a devasting effect on your child's grade. When zeros are entered, it is virtually impossible for a student to recover. I have been following Rick Wormelli, a nationally recognized expert on assessment and evaluation, and I agree with much of what he advocates. For more information on this philosophy, please click the hyperlink.
Please know that I am working very hard to make sure your child is successful and prepared for the next level of his or her education, but I need them to meet me halfway. If you have any questions, please e-mail me. As always, your support is appreciated and thank you for reading my blogs!
Mrs. Vogel
Anyone ready for Spring? This is the drift outside of our classroom window. Luckily some of it has melted. Previously you couldn't see out at all.
Important!
Mrs. Scheffer, Mrs. Melnyk and I need your support. Many students are not doing their homework; far too many for us to be able to call home each day or send individual e-mails. In one class period last week I had 14 students without their work (an easy 5 min. assignment). Multiply this by 5 classes. I hope you can understand the magnitude of this problem. As a rule we give very little work to do at home. Reading 30 min., math, and any studying for tests is to be expected, but very little in the way of actual assignments. As this problem continues, we fall further behind due to having to provide additional class time to allow for "catch up". We have attempted to use lunch time, but we are finding that this is not working being that 15 minutes goes to eating and 5 to work completion.
In an effort to help the kids stay on top of their work, I have provided students time during SS to set up their HAC accounts with usernames and passwords. This is acheived by simply contacting the help desk and asking for the information. Parents and students have seperate usernames and passwords. Students have been instructed to check HAC weekly and follow up on any missing work. I have instructed my homeroom students to do their check the first five minutes of class each morning while I am taking attendance and addressing students' questions and issues. Many students wander in the hallways rather than coming in to class and getting organized for the day. There is plenty of time if they choose to take advantage of it.
As a result of the building's Zeros Aren't Permitted Policy, no zeros will be entered into HAC. If an assignment is not turned in by the due date, I am willing to offer an extention if the student sees me, but if the work is not turned in within a week, it will become a 50% in HAC. It is still a failing grade, but will prevent a devasting effect on your child's grade. When zeros are entered, it is virtually impossible for a student to recover. I have been following Rick Wormelli, a nationally recognized expert on assessment and evaluation, and I agree with much of what he advocates. For more information on this philosophy, please click the hyperlink.
Please know that I am working very hard to make sure your child is successful and prepared for the next level of his or her education, but I need them to meet me halfway. If you have any questions, please e-mail me. As always, your support is appreciated and thank you for reading my blogs!
Mrs. Vogel