I am happy to report that the recently adopted homework policy has proven successful with the Cedars and therefore it has been adjusted to reflect current needs and goals as of March 30th to the following:
Cedars homework will consist of math (15 to 30 minutes), novel reading with questions as needed (30 minutes), Independent Project editing, science, and possibly some health or character education on occasion.
Missed homework – 3 missing assignments per week will result in an email to parents. Continued missing assignments will require getting Shelley involved and we will schedule a conference in order to strategize for greater student success.
Incomplete Class work – If students are not completing their work in-class as expected we will email parents that day and let them know that extra homework is coming home because the student chose not to use class time wisely. Incomplete work will go home as individual teachers see fit. If this is a consistent issue with a student, Shelley will be advised and a conference will be set with the parent and student.
Classroom News
Tuesday March 31st 8th graders will be taking the Science OAKs test. The Math Smarter Balance Tests will take place May 12th-16th. Please make sure that your child gets a good nights sleep and has a healthy breakfast.
In science, students will be working in teams to investigate different biomes throughout the globe. Their job is to create a multimedia presentation presented by the group to advertise their biome and to bring business to the “Don’t Worry, Be Happy Travel Agency.” Student groups will begin by creating a terrarium to represent the biome they are assigned; they will grow plants there and compare those plants to plants grown in other biome-specific terrariums. I will need some help with supplies, clear plastic 2 liter bottles or cardboard milk cartons for students to build their terrariums as well as plant cuttings and/or seeds that would work for specific biomes. Students will begin working on their biome terrariums the 2nd half of the week when we return from break.