Welcome, 2015!

I hope that this post finds everyone happy and healthy after our long winter break.  I know that I speak from all in our teaching team when I say that we enjoyed all of our time with family and friends.

The 3rd nine weeks starts tomorrow!  This will be the most productive nine weeks yet!  We will be reading and writing extensively in all subject areas, which means increasing rigor and productivity across the board.  Get your sleep and "Eat Your Wheaties", my compadres!  We have a lot of work to do!

Please check homework folders daily as well as our class website.  The calendar will be updated regularly with homework assignments and test dates.  Remember that homework assignments count for two test grades in Reading, Spelling, and Math.  Since there are approximately 9 grades per subject per nine weeks, This is 25% of the final grade!

Reading homework and spelling homework will be streamlined a bit this nine weeks.  I am trying to find the best combination of activities for homework that produces the most skill practice for a condensed amount of time daily.  Please see our website for:
**Reading Homework  and  **Spelling Homework.  These are due weekly on Wednesday and Fridays.

We are also starting over with Dojo points.  Congrats to those students that made it to "Living Legend" in the 2nd nine weeks!  These students, from both Mrs. Pechon and Mrs. Blanchard's homerooms, are:
Ana, Harrison, Bailey D., Sal, Briana, Ty, Luke, Alexis (in both classes!), Emma, Aleena, Katie, Sydney (in both classes!), Madison, Jay, Grace, Annie, Layla, Maggie, and Hannah M.

These students will have their picture on the living legend wall soon!

Thanks for all of your support!  Again, please make sure and check the weekly overview  for important information, as well as homework folders daily.  Test folders will continue to be sent home on Thursdays.  Please review these, make MATH test corrections, and return the folder by the following Tuesday to receive credit for math corrections.

First Nine Weeks Almost Done!

Congrats, everyone!
We've made it (almost) to the end of the first nine weeks.
All students should be "in the groove" of what it means to be a 5th grader, with procedures, homework, rules, and expectations.
Please check our weekly overview to review our homework policy for Math and ELA.  Please check folders daily for communication updates and for homework.  Encourage your student to find a quiet place to complete homework daily.  Good study habits take time to form, and the earlier.. the better!

Side story:  My husband will be the first to tell you... he did not learn how to study until college, and it took him failing classes to realize that grades weren't going to come as easy as they did in previous years.  Presently, this experience is happening in junior high... some students are even saying that 6th grade is showing them the importance of being organized.

In closing, all we do daily is to ensure success.. today, tomorrow, and for your child's future.

Thank you for your continued support!