I have a question!!

School work

100

Will there be any homework?

Yes. Both classes will have regular homework. Math, spelling, reading. Sometimes there will be science, or social studies. There will also be special projects during the year.

200

What happens when you don't finish your homework?

Your parents will be notified by computer. After 3 incomplete assignments I will meet with you and your parents to see why this is happening all the time. You will be required to complete the unfinished assignment.

300

Where do I put my homework when I am finished?

There is a "Homework In" bin at the front of the class. Please put your name on everything and put it in the bin first thing in the morning after you have put your agenda on your desk.

400

What do I do when I am done all my work in class?

Please put your name on it. If it is being marked, put it in the finished bin. If we are looking at it together, please put it in your appropriate duotang. You can then read quietly at your desk, or work on unfinished work.

500

Will we ever have DEAR time at school? Do I have to bring my own book?

We will have DEAR time almost every day. You may bring your own book or you may read one of mine. Please do not keep my books in your desk, they need to go neatly back on the shelf when you are done.

Behaviour

100

What do those boxes mean on the front whiteboard?

This is our behaviour chart. The day is divided into 3 parts: before recess, after recess, after lunch. If classroom rules are broken, an "X" goes in a box. We must have a minimum of 3 empty boxes by the end of the day in order to earn a check. We must have at least 4 days "checked" by the end of the week to earn a class reward!

200

What are your rules for lunchtime?

You must sit at your own desk. You may not share your food. You may only talk quietly to students in your own pod. All uneaten food gets put back into your lunch bag and goes back home. "Pack it in, pack it out".

300

Can I just leave when the bell rings?

Please wait to be dismissed. The top of your desk needs to be cleaned off and everything put away. Only a water bottle may stay on the top of your desk. Your chair needs to be tucked in for any recess times. Your chair needs to be stacked when you leave for the day. The class is dismissed when everyone is ready.

400

How do you want us to line up when we go to other classes.

I like a quiet, straight line up. I compare it to adults lining up at a bank. Eyes are forward, no talking, waiting for instruction. It is respectful to move through the hallways in a quiet manner so we don't disrupt other classes.

500

What is the Penny in a Jar?

Every time I see something great happening in the classroom I will give a penny into the jar. At the end of the year we donate all our pennies to a charity of our choice. We will also do some additional fundraising to increase our donation. Last year we had close to $400!

Rules

100

Can I sit wherever I want? Will I always sit in the same spot?

I have a seating arrangement in class. You will sit in that spot for a whole month. I change where you sit every month after that. I do not take requests about sitting next to friends because this classroom is a learning environment first.

200

When can I sit on the couch? What about the big table at the back?

These are open spots to work when it is group work time. No felt pens or scissors on the couch. We will also set up a system where certain pods can use these spaces as a reward during quiet work periods. Please use these spaces respectfully or you will not be allowed to use them in the future.

300

What's up with the "In door" and "Out door"?

We do have 2 doors in the classroom. I use one to go in and one to go out. This is for safety as the door at the front of the classroom is Very Close to Mrs. Kwan's door. I have seen accidents happen when both classes are dismissed at the same time. Please use these doors respectfully every time.

400

What is your procedure for going to the bathroom during class?

I have a bathroom sign out at the back whiteboard. Only one boy and one girl may be out of the classroom at the same time. Please sign your name clearly because I need to know who is out of the room at all times. Please choose a respectful time to go. Recess and lunch recess are the BEST. Work times and DEAR time are fine. Lesson time is for emergencies only.

500

Why do you make such a big deal out of us tucking in our chairs?

Number one reason is safety. People trip over chairs all the time and I don't want anyone hurt. Number two reason is the embarrassing story I am about to tell you right now...

Is it time for...?

100

When is recess? When is lunch? When do we get to go home?

Recess is at 10:20. Lunch recess is at 12:10 and lunch eating is at 12:35. The final bell rings at 2:50. There is an analog clock at the back of the room and if schedules are important to you please practice telling time at home or wear a digital watch to school.

200

When do we have gym? What about music?

We will have gym twice a week, as soon as I know what days those are I will let you know. You will also have music once a week. The official schedule will come out in a week and then these classes will happen on the same day every week.

300

Will we be using computers? When can I bring mine in?

We will be using computers in class this year. We will first talk about appropriate use in the classroom and then I will let you know the day you can begin using them in class. There is a cabinet beside the sofa for computers to be kept in during the day. They may not be kept in backpacks.

400

When can the "Pencil Sharpener" use the electric pencil sharpener for our pod?

They may use it after they have finished their jobs in the morning and before attendance starts. They may sharpen after school or when it is a busy time in the classroom and the noise is not disruptive. Please do not use it during quiet work periods or when a lesson is happening. No one else may use the sharpener for their own pencil crayons.

500

Is it important that I am at school for the first bell?

Being on time is very important to me. Please make every effort to be here for the first bell and get your morning jobs done. Agenda, the schedule, tests, music, gym can all happen first thing in the morning! It can be very disruptive when we have lots of latecomers in the morning.

What happens if...?

100

What happens if I have a question during class?

I expect that you put your hand up and wait patiently to ask a question. Please do not shout out the question or get up from your desk and follow me to ask it.

200

What happens if I have a note for you from my parents?

There is a yellow box in the back of the classroom labelled, "Notes for Mrs. Kim". You can put it in there and I check it every morning. If you have a note in your agenda, please make sure I see it when I check for a parent signature.

300

What happens if I am thirsty during class?

You can keep a water bottle on your desk all day. If you forgot it then you may sign out on the bathroom signout to get a drink from the hall. However I will always remind you it is important to bring a full water bottle every day.

400

What happens if I need a sharp pencil?

Each pod has 2 boxes on the front shelf. One is for sharp pencils and one is for dull pencils. Please use the strategy of "give one, take one". Each pod has a specific person to sharpen the dull pencils. The "Pencil Sharpener" needs to make sure your pod always has enough. The electric pencil sharpener is not for student use, please make sure you have your own personal sharpener for pencil crayons.

500

What happens if I am dropped off really early in the morning? Can I come into the classroom?

The library opens every day at 8:30. The school is not open for students before that. Please stay outside the school until 8:30. The classroom is not open until 8:45. Please do not drop off your backpack or hang out in the hallways. Be respectful of the teachers working to get ready for the day.