Mr. Monticello

Room 21

FAQ's

1) When is homework due?

Weekly homework is assigned on Friday and due the following Thursday.  It most commonly consists of Mathsteps pages and spelling.  Students are given two pages of spelling, are required to write the definitions of the words form the book's glossary, and write every word five times each.  They should say the letters out loud as they write, as this engages much more of the brain than just writing the words, increasing retention.

Every week a newspaper report is due, and the day depends on the student's number.  1-7 go on tuesday, 8-15 on Wed, 16-23 on Thurs, and 24-30 on Friday.  Students may only use a newspaper, and may not write about sports or announcements.  The article must be cut out and stapled to the back of the news summary sheet provided in class.

Students are required to read for one half hour a day at home, and record both what they read in school (during W.E.B.) and at home.  Please sign their planner only if they have read for the full half hour.  Research shows that the number one predictor of reading success is time spent reading.  Just like hitting a baseball, it is all about practice!  :^)

Students also have math homework that is a carryover from math class.  Daily work is checked in class.  If a student does not get 100% on the work, they must write it down in their planner, and take their book home and correct any problems marked wrong. This is due the following day.

2) What are grades based on?

Math grades are 1/2 daily work and 1/2 weekly tests.

Social Studies is 1/2 Exploration Unit Projects, 1/4 at home reports and 1/4 Unit tests

Reading is 1/2 Unit tests and unit work, and 1/2 Literature circle work

Writing is based on Writer's workshop and in class writing assignments

Spelling is an average of all the spelling tests

3) What is O.C.?

O.C. is an obstacle course I put together that includes jungle gym work, daily sit ups, pushups, pull ups, and running laps.  In inclement weather we do a series of exercises in the classroom.  I need to add time to student's regular PE time to meet total district PE time requirements anyway, and my class usually scores highest in the school in the Physical Fitness testing at the end of the year.  I do this because I am a strong believer in fitness, but also because there is a marked increase in student performance academically when they take part in the program.  Students are challenged to perform at their personal best, and improve as the year progresses.  They achieve a sense of accomplishment and OC is favorite part of the day for many students.  All at a cost of only 12 minutes a day!!

4) What can I do to increase my son/daughter's school performance?

There are many ways to do this.  One of the easiest is to ensure proper rest and nutrition.  Children entering puberty actually have an INCREASED need for sleep.  So rather than staying up late, they need 9-12 hours of sleep a night.  They also need to start the day with a breakfast high in protein as well as carbohydrates.  Donuts and pop tarts do not count!  These foods (as well as high sugar cereals) cause a spike in blood sugar content and then a crash.  So when the day is in full swing, your child's brain runs out of fuel and shuts down!  High sugar snacks have the same effect.   Limiting TV/computer/video game time is also good because it frees up time to spend outside getting physical exercise (vital to physical/emotional health and mental acuity) and reading.  If your child says he/she is bored, tell them to find something to do- don't just send them to the computer room.  Given the option of sitting on the couch staring at a blank screen, and reading or playing in the backyard, which would you choose?