For Parents

Welcome 5H Parents! Here`s a little background on Room 217 policies and procedures:

First, as a teacher I have high academic and behavioral expectations. I speak to my students frequently about using "100% Effort" in all that they do. I find that the work we do in class and that students do for homework is a much more meaningful and worthwhile experience if students consistently try their hardest and can take pride in their work.

Our classroom management system centers around "The 5H Economy." Based on behavior, students can earn or lose fake money. Students balance a checkbook each time money is earned or lost, which reinforces basic math skills. Students also learn to budget and plan ahead as they save up money to earn the classroom reward. As part of the system, my students choose a reward they'd like the chance to earn. Some rewards are individual rewards, while others are small group or whole class rewards. The kids then decide on a goal for how much money they think they can earn during a given period. Any students or groups that reach the goal are invited to participate in the reward they chose.

One aspect of my classroom that I encourage parents to utilize, utilize, utilize is my Homework Contract. I send home the Homework Contract each week on Mondays. On the front of the contract you`ll find the week's homework laid out by day. It is my hope that this will help you plan ahead for those busy afternoons. On the back of the Homework Contract you`ll find what I call the Week in Preview, which lists what we`re studying in each subject. In this section you'll also be able to tell when we`re wrapping up a unit. When a unit is winding down, I include when the assessment for that unit will be. Every Thursday, as part of their nightly homework, I ask students to get their Homework Contract signed, thus ensuring that I know a parent has seen it. However, I strongly encourage students to share the contract with a parent at the beginning of the week. I`ve found that the weekly Homework Contract is especially useful in reducing stress (a student can double check the assignments he or she wrote down in his or her assignment notebook against the Homework Contract) and in aiding those students who need more help with completing and keeping track of homework assignments.