We are a fifth grade class from Duluth, Minnesota. We call ourselves The Diamond Monkeys because we just read this great book called, Monkey With A Toolbelt. It is about a monkey who has this great toolbelt he uses for solving problems. Diamonds are very hard. We are hard problem solvers. Our
school is Nettleton Elementary. We are located in the center of Duluth, Minnesota,
which is on the shores of Gitchegumi, Lake Superior. Please read our entries and respond to our thoughts and writing. We are interested in: what you hear us saying with our writing, what you like about our writing and what you want to know more about. Put the cursor on the word "comment" under each passage and you will be able to add your comments. It will take awhile before your comments get approved. thank you...
Article posted November 11, 2009 at 08:55 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 175
Dear parents of fifth grade students in room 300,
In all my “many” years of teaching, I haven’t seen anything like the flu that hit us last week. Each day we had 8 to 6 students in class. The rest were out sick. Headaches, fever, body aches, sour stomachs, sore throats, coughs and plugged noses were the symptoms we saw. It just seemed to hold on. I hope that you and your family have survived this early flu season and are all healthy. I am sanitizing our desks regularly.
Progress reports will come home every two to three weeks. I expect these to be shared with you. Students must bring them back, signed the next day. These reports will give you a report on your student’s work completion and missing assignments. I close the book on late work at the end of each month.
Every day we go over the assignments for the week. Students are expected to keep track of work completed and work due in these assignment books. Some parents expect their children to bring them home every day.
Email is a good way to get in touch with me if you have a question or a concern. I check my email every night.
Report cards will be coming home next week. Conferences are always welcome.
Regular Academic Homework Information
Reading: Tues. Vocabulary words and Larry Webber due
Wed. Comprehension questions due
Thurs. Summary due
Spelling: Mon. Pre test
Wed. Sentences due
Thurs. Worksheet packet due
Fri. Test
Math: Mon. Pizzazz due
Tues Thinker due
Fri. Math for Today Test
Other assignments will be given as homework at other times. All work must be completed at a 70% level or it is reassigned as a “Fix It” assignment. No credit is earned on a “Fix It” assignment until it is fixed.
Students earn Levels in the room. The levels are: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Level one students must have all their work in from the previous week. They are following classroom and school procedures. Level two students may have a few missing assignments and/or are having some trouble with procedures. Level three students are having lots of trouble getting assignments in and may also be having issues with behavior. Students earn different responsibilities and privileges based on their levels. Level three students are not allowed to participate in some activities because they are way behind with their work or they are not demonstrating self control. The levels change every week. Students may go
Soon I will be building a classroom blog. You will be able to keep updated on the class there. Please read and respond to student writing there. I will post assignments and a newsletter every other week. I can be reached during the day at 733-2172 extension 300. I can be reached at night at 525-5055. My email addresses are: johnonsand@aol.com and John.Schmidt@duluth.k12.mn.us Please send me your email address, if you would like me to use it.
I look forward to working with you and your child this year.
John Schmidt
Article posted November 11, 2009 at 08:55 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 175
About the Blogger
. I have been teaching for over thirty years. My teaching partners, tech gurus and good friends, Jay Monson and Jim Olson are teaching me technology. I'm an old dog learning new tricks. Contact me at: Home email
,Work email
