For Your Information

Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. Please tell me about homework.
2. How can I arrange for a conference to meet with my child's teacher?
3. What do I do with the Basal Reader when it is sent home?
4. I am confused. Please explain the Spelling and Vocabulary words to me?

Please tell me about homework.

Every child is expected to read to his/her mom or dad for 10 minutes per night.  
If your child is still at the pre-reading stage, please read to your child 
for the suggested time. Have your child tell you about the pictures in the 
book prior to reading and identify words in the book that he/she may know. 
Please complete the reading chart, that will be placed in your child's homework 
folder, each time he/she reads at home. Students will receive a "certificate" for

each completed reading chart.

A MONDAY MEMO is sent home every Monday afternoon listing the homework assignments 
for the week.

What are your child’s homework responsibilities?  
I expect students to do their best job on each homework assignment. All homework 
should be NEAT. All homework should be completed in pencil, unless otherwise 
indicated. 

-Homework handouts are due the next morning. 

-All written work, such as spelling homework, should be completed in the spiral homework 
notebook that will be provided by the teacher. Homework notebooks are due on Friday 

morning.

 
What are the parent’s homework responsibilities?  
Parents are they key to making homework a positive experience for their 
children.  Therefore, I ask that parents make homework a priority at home, 
provide necessary supplies, and a quiet homework environment.  Please set 
aside a time everyday when homework should be completed. This should be a 
time for your child to show you what he or she is learning in school. It 
should be a positive time.

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How can I arrange for a conference to meet with my child's teacher?

All conferences are scheduled through the school office. Please call the 
school secretary to schedule a conference. I prefer conferences at 8:15.  If there is a 
scheduling problem, please let the school secretary know and I will do my best to accommodate you.

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What do I do with the Basal Reader when it is sent home?

The basal reader, which is used to teach skills, will be sent home for oral 
reading practice throughout the school year. Your child has been instructed 
to read ONLY the stories that have previously been read in class. I am asking 
that your child does NOT READ AHEAD in the basal reader. Please remember to 
mark the reading chart, in the homework folder, each time your child reads 
in the basal reader.

Keep in mind, that guided reading groups will address your child’s independent reading 
level. 

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I am confused. Please explain the Spelling and Vocabulary words to me?

SPELLING - 
Each week Spelling Words will be given. These words should be mastered by each 
first grader. Your child is expected to read and spell the spelling words.

The Challenge Spelling Words are for those students that "desire a little bit more".  When the spelling 
test is administered, your child will be tested on the words if he/she has studied them at home.

Spelling is an important part of our Language Arts Program. Therefore, it 
needs to be practiced each night.  Each week your child will come home with 
a Spelling “Tic-Tac-Toe” sheet. Students should select their spelling homework, 
with parental guidance, from the “Tic-Tac-Toe” sheet. Select one activitiy 
per night. Remember you want to make a tic-tac-toe by choosing three activities 
in a row either across, up and down, or diagonally. A spiral homework notebook will be 

provided for the written activities. Non-written spelling choices should be indicated 
in the homework notebook when completed, such as: "Completed sky writing". 

All written homework assignments should be dated by your child.

VOCABULARY WORDS - 
HIGH FREQUENCY WORDS will be given each week. These words should be mastered 
by each first grader. They are sight words your child should memorize. Many of 
these words can not be sounded out.  Your child is expected to read the high frequency words,
 NOT spell them.

The VOCABULARY WORDS are for those students who "desire a little bit more".  Again, these words 
should be memorized. Many of these words can not be sounded out.

The CHALLENGE VOCABULARY WORDS are for those students who are ready for vocabulary words 
"ABOVE grade level".

High Frequency Words, Vocabulary Words and Challenge Vocabulary Words 
are from our reading series. Your child should be able to read and use these 
words in sentences, NOT SPELL THEM. Keep in mind, many of these words contain 
irregular vowel sounds and can not be sounded out.  

**All Spelling Words, Challenge Spelling Words, High Frequency Words, Vocabulary Words 
and Challenge Vocabulary Words will be presented, discussed and studied in class through activities 
and games.