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To be accepted in to the class, a student must be in the 95th percentile or above on their total reading score on the Stanford. They must also be recommended by their homeroom teacher as a student who is willing to go above and beyond to achieve in class. Upon recommendation, the students are again tested with the Gates McGinitie Reading Test. Their scores are combined to obtain an average total reading score. This will determine their acceptance. There is limited space in the class. We have a maximum of 14 students per class. As a result, the highest scoring students will be accepted.
Students must maintain an 88% average yearly to stay in the class. All work must be turned in and on time. Students should be self-motivated and eager to excel in reading.
Students in Grades 4 - 5 need a notebook, folder, and about 200 (3x5) index cards.
Middle School students: Grade 6 will also need index cards. Grades 7 & 8 may choose their method of note taking for vocabulary and literary terms. All middle school classes need a section in their binders for literature as well as a folder in which to keep important papers. All students will have a permanent folder in the classroom. Since we now have parent access on line I will only send the folder home occasionally so that parents can go over the papers with their children. Please be sure to go through the folder because I often write notes to the students that will help in their future work. Grades are assigned on a points basis depending on the level of the activity. Obviously, tests will weigh more (be assigned higher points) than homework and other projects. Book reports are assigned once a month and MUST be typed. Each class will have one major writing project and several smaller ones throughout the year along with their book reports. Homework is assigned daily (sometimes just to study), and rarely on the weekends. Long term projects and sometimes tests are usually due/given on Mondays to give students a chance for extra study/work days. Proper classroom behavior is essential to the students' success in my class. I have taught the children to RESPECT themselves, each other and me. If the students are not willing to follow our class rules, he or she may be asked to leave the class. Each student should be highly motivated in all aspects of an accelerated program including self-control. Discussion is a very important part of our class. Each student's interpretation of what is read is very important. Therefore, class participation plays an important role in the class. Students are encouraged to participate in all class discussions. Most of all we try to have FUN while we read everyday. As we read, we laugh, we cry, and we talk. I guess you could say that we are a family having our discussion about our day, only it's about what we are currently reading.
REQUIREMENTS TO REMAIN IN THE CLASS
In order to continue through the Great Books /Accelerated Literature program (from grades 4 through 8) students must maintain at least an 88% average or above. This is a yearly average and not dependent on one trimester.
The students must also be respectful to others. The school behavior policy must be adhered to if each child is to be successful in the class. ALL assignments must be handed in and ON TIME. Points will be taken away for each day an assignment is turned in late. Long term assignments will not be accepted late. There is no excuse when a month is allotted for an assignment.
This class is designed to challenge each student. It exists for the highly self-motivated students with a desire to excel in reading or literature. I wish that every student in the building could be part of the class, however we must base acceptance and continued attendance on a predetermined criteria.
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