September
Salutations
From Mr.
Mauntler’s room
Reading
In addition
to guided reading we read stories (basal anthology) as a whole group to
work on, among other skills, comprehension skills. We also read poems
that incorporate phonics and other skills and strategies.
We will be
beginning our Guided Reading program in just a few short weeks. Three to
four days a week your child will meet in a small group with me to read
books at his/her instructional level. In this setting we will be
practicing our fluency, word attack skills, phonics, and comprehension.
Your child
may be ready for Literature circles. He/She will be asked to complete
assignment for a certain chapter at home. They will be meeting in small
groups (on their own) to discuss the chapter and then move on to a new
chapter until they have read/discussed elements of the whole book. The
period of time depends on how far they go each day. A note will come
home when your child is ready for these activities.
Writing/Spelling
In three
weeks or so we will be starting a writing workshop where your child and
I develop writing skills through one-to-one interaction, as well as
whole-group instruction, during writing time. Your child will be taking
words from her/his writing assignments and adding them to their spelling
dictionary. Your child should be bringing home a spelling list within
the next two - four weeks. Please look on the homework assignment sheet
for spelling test times and study nights.
Homework
I generally
start giving homework in the 2nd – 3rd week of
school. It is important that your child complete his/her homework each
night. If for some reason the homework does not get finished, please do
not sign the sheet. I understand that there will be nights where
completing homework is just not an option (ski club nights, late soccer
games, family visits, etc.). On these occasions please try to write a
short explanation (“soccer game”, “family night”) on the homework sheet
and I will be happy to stamp it. Also, please help to remind your child
that the homework sheet must be signed and returned each day. It is my
intention that homework is their responsibility, not yours! The
assignments are meant to be a tool to reinforce and show off their
understanding of strategies/skills we have worked on here at school. It
is also my intention that homework is a way for your child to learn the
responsibility of thinking ahead for their next day (by making sure it
is completed, signed, and packed up, ready to go!) and to get things
done on time.
If you ever
have any questions or concerns about an assignment I send home please
write me a note on the homework sheet, call me here at school, or call
me at home.
Book Orders
I will try
to send home a book order every other month. Before sending one home, I
spend some time with the students identifying appropriate books. Please
do not feel pressured to buy any of these books. I am pointing out books
that I feel are written at an appropriate level. |
Parent
Volunteers
If there are
any parents who would like to come in and help during the week the class
and I would appreciate the help. The time that I could most use the help
is between 8:00 and 11:00 in the morning. I would be doing Reading and
Math at these times so it would be a time to just try to keep the class
focused on the centers and activities. Other times are certainly open as
well. Please send a note or call me if you think you would like to give
some time to the class and myself. Thank you.
Projects
In the past
we have had parents who have generously donated their
time/talents/treasures to help us create puppets, pizza parties, a
crocheted quilt (made up of individual students’ patches!), class books,
window decorations, Christmas presents, and much more. If you have an
idea (and energy) for a project you think you would like to share with
the class please contact me.
Absences/Leaving
Early/Transportation Home
If your child is not going to
attend school on a given day please be sure to give Mary Bergren a call
in the Student Services Office. If you are bringing your child in late
please sign in with Mary in the Student Services Office. If you are
planning on taking your child out of school early, or, if transportation
plans change, please send a note to me with your child or call Mary
(preferably by 2:00 p.m.).
Show-and-Tell
If your
child has something really exciting he/she really wants to show to the
class, by all means send/bring it in if appropriate. We love to see
pictures, things found on nature walks, family artifacts/heirlooms,
things that tell stories, etc. If they find a “pet” outside and want to
try to keep it and bring it in my policy is “If you can take care of it,
keep it alive and contained, and it doesn’t distract us through the day,
I don’t mind.” Generally the end of the day (from 2:00-3:00) is the best
time, Wednesday or Friday are the best days to share these things.
Snacks
Generally
we have snacks in the afternoons due to the fact that lunch is at 11:00
a.m. This makes for a short morning, but a long afternoon. Please try to
make sure your child brings a somewhat healthy snack like fruit, granola
bars, crackers, peanut butter, etc. I welcome snacks to share with the
whole class if you are so inclined! Please make sure each snack is
individually wrapped (where appropriate) and there is enough for allJ
Contacting Me
I believe
in an open door policy. If you have a question or concern, please feel
free to contact me at any time for any reason. I am very
open to your feelings, concerns, and suggestions. Working together will
ensure that your child is getting the most out of all our efforts.
The
school’s number is 889-5521. My extension is 342. My e-mail address is
bmauntle@manistee.org. My home phone number is 889-2051. The
school’s website is onekama.k12.mi.us/.
Please check out the website if you haven’t already.
I am
looking forward to working with your child this year and meeting all of
you. This is going to be a great year!
Sincerely,
Ben Mauntler |