Teacher Alena Short
http://my.uen.org/63714
short@johnhancockcs.org
796-5646
 
Parent Notes

Hello to all!  I love new beginnings and that is just what this year will be.  A new begining for us all.  I can't wait.  I am really excited about our new students.  Mixing up the atmosphere can be a very positive thing and I suspect the new kids in our class will make our year even better.

To get you up and ready for the school year, I have provided this web page.  Throughout the year, I will update this web site every week.  Please stay in touch by looking at our page at least twice a week to make sure you don't miss any important information.

The tabs at the top help us stay organized by subject.  Take a look at all the pages now so you can be very familiar with how our class works.  If you have any questions for me, send me an email and I will be glad to respond.  Have a great summer.  I will see you soon for home visits.

Mrs. Short
Useful Websites
My Documents
 
Announcements

Students!  I have a great idea for reading this summer.  I created a reading blog for our summer readers.  I would like to reward any student who chooses to read this summer and comment on our blog with breakfast the first week of school. 

If you would like to be a part of this, go to the 'Reading Connections' tab and follow the links to the class reading blog or click here.  The directions are posted on the blog.  Read 20 minutes and answer a post about your book by making a comment.  It's that easy.  I will be reading and waiting to hear from you - so let's read together!  See ya on our blog.

6/22  I posted a few mystery book titles and their authors for those of you who have asked for a good mystery book to read and get a jump start on the Book Report.  You will find them under the reading connections tab.
Assignments

This is where I post all homework requirements for the week.  I would check it regularly so you don't miss any updates during the week.

Reading: 20 minutes daily: You are required to have your reading chart signed daily by a parent and brought back to school. This is part of your Language Arts grade. I check for signatures randomly so it is best to always be prepared!  You may also choose to earn an extra reward each month by participating on our class reading blog.  Check out the 'Reading Connections' for more details on that.

You will notice that under the 'Documents' portal, there are class notes and reviews.  I have made my typed teacher notes available for your use.  My notes are what the students should be writing in their own personal notebooks.  This will help if you are absent, forget your notebook for test study or you can't read what is written in the notebook.  Student notebooks are graded for neatness and completeness and should help with test studies.  Our units of study for August/September will be Maps and Globes, World Lakes and Scientific Inquiry. 
I CAN

Every month changes the curriculum and focus of our teaching.  The 'I Can' list lets parents know what they should be able to ask their students about because we have been learning it in school!

I also have a class newsletter that is written by the students.  This is a blog listed under documents.  Right now you can read last years 'end of the year' articles which were written in the style of science fiction/fantasy.  Every couple of months, I will let you know that the newsletter has been updated.  It is great to watch the progress of your students writing throughout the year as well as stay in touch with what the kids are learning about.  When you comment on this blog, the students feel extra special for their efforts and it encourages them to write more.  So, look forward to our class newsletter and we will look forward to reading your comments!