Homework Directions and Frequently Asked Questions

Homework Notes/Directions

  • Completing Work While Absent (also for Independent Study)
    • All worksheets will be linked to this website
      • Option 1: Complete the worksheet digitally
        • On the student Chromebooks, Click download, then Open and Edit
        • Annotate on the pages and click SAVE
        • File will be saved in your Downloads section of the Files App
        • Use your ​Gmail account to send the file to [email protected]
      • Option 2: Complete on a piece of lined or blank paper.
        • In an organized way, write the answers on a piece of lined or blank paper.
          • Organized means I can find your answers easily. 
            • number them, skip lines as necessary...etc. 
      • Option 3: Print or use the original book
        • Print the worksheet if you have access to a printer
        • If the worksheet is from one of our books, use the book and submit the paper when you return to class. 
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  • Submitting Late / Missing Work / Trimester Deadlines
    • ​Late work happens, I accept late work without a drop in grade.
    • Students need to complete the work.
    • If the assignment is on paper, they submit the work to the turn in box in class.
      • ​this completes their requirements.
    • If the assignment is digital, students need to do 1 of 3 things:
      • ​1. Sign the missing work notice that I will occasionally print out and give to them in class, then submit that notice to the Parent Signature/Notes box in class. 
      • 2. Write me a properly formatted letter, (example) to inform me they completed the assignment.
      • 3. Send me a properly formatted email (example)  from the student's Gmail account (this has been taught). 
    • Why is this required?
      • We are all very busy, with 30+ students I can't remember everything told to me. The written note helps me remember that their assignment is ready to be graded. I also don't randomly check our digital assignments. Logging in to every digital resource takes time and it's not practical for me to randomly check on missing work. Lastly, sending emails about missing work is the same requirement that most middle school teachers have. I am helping my students get ready for their future by requiring the same. 
    • Trimester Deadlines
      • Trimester 1:
        • ​To receive full credit, all missing work must be submitted no later than 2 weeks before the end of the trimester.
        • To receive half credit, missing work must be submitted by the Wednesday before the last day of the trimester.
      • Trimester 2 and 3:​​
        • ​To receive full credit, all missing work must be submitted by the unit/module test or no more than 3 weeks after it was assigned.
        • To receive half credit, all missing work must be submitted no later than 2 weeks before the end of the trimester.
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  • IXL Action Plans 
    • ​complete all ELA and Math codes by the assigned due date
      • ​Smartscore of 80+%
        • ​if the code is 6th grade or higher, the minimum SmartScore is 30+%
      • IXL has video lesson and example problems for most lessons. Students are to use these resources if they need help.
      • Students are also reminded to seek the help of a peer or their teacher for more assistance.
        • ​​time is provided in class, each week for the students to seek help. 
    • The Action Plans will periodically update online. Please refer to the printed action plan for the correct codes. ​
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  • Eureka Math Books
    • ​Eureka Math has 2 books for each Module (Chapter).​
    • We will use the LEARN books in class
    • The APPLY books will be sent home
      • these books have examples and mini lessons from what we learned in class
      • use the APPLY book for homework help and studying
    • All Math Materials are available online
      • Access Great Minds (Eureka Math) with Clever.
        • Go to Resources, choose the module and then the lesson
        • Click download, then Open and Edit
        • Annotate on the pages and click SAVE
        • File will be saved in your Downloads section of the Files App
        • Use your ​Gmail account to send the file to [email protected]
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  • Vocabulary Words Study Ideas
    • Vocabulary Words Study Guide Page
    • ​flashcards
      • include a picture or personal example of the word
    • tell a story
    • find synonyms of the word
    • label something in your house for an example
      • ​dilemma could be the choice of a cookie or a brownie
    • describe your day at school using the vocab words
    • play charades with the words
    • pick a paragraph in your silent reading and try to replace some of the "boring" words with a vocab word. ​
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  • ​AR Reading (minimum 30 minutes)​
    • AR Goals will be assigned by the end of the second week or sooner of each trimester.
      • AR Goals are based on 20 minutes of daily reading (daily minutes will increase each trimester)
      • The class reads 20-30 minutes in class most days
      • Students should be reading the same book at school and home. 
      • Students must also read another 30 minutes at home each night
        • Reading should be 30 minutes, 15-20 pages, or 1 chapter
          • These are absolute minimums - every child has different abilities, please email Mr. Miller for clarification of what your student should be reading
      • Students must earn 100% of their points goal by the trimester deadline
        • Trimester 1: Students must have an accuracy score of 75%+ to meet their goal.
        • Trimester 2: Students must have an accuracy score of 80%+ to meet their goal. 
        • Trimester 3: Students must have an accuracy score of 85%+ to meet their goal.
    • Students can complete AR quizzes during our morning routine, during silent reading, during recess in the library, or during any other free time they have throughout the day. 
    • AR Goal Progress is grade/updated weekly on Aeries Gradebook
      • A score of 10 points means your student is on progress to meet their goal
      • A score of 0 (Missing) means your student is behind on their AR goal progress
    • Students and Parents can check their AR progress at home by visiting Renaissance: Home Connect - login using Clever.com​
    • Ren Home Connect: (username is 9 digit student ID - password is abc)
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  • Reflex / Frax Math: Green Light (access from home using Clever.com --> Explore Learning)
    • A Green Light is required 4 days a week (Mon-Thurs) until 100% fluency is met in Reflex and Frax.
      • After 100% fluency in Reflex and Frax, students will be required to get a Green Light only on Mondays.
      • Students are given time each day to work on Reflex Math - please verify your student has completed their Green Light.
      • Reflex is a graded assignment. Weekly scores can be viewed on Aeries Gradebook​
        • Students can earn 5 points each week.
          • ​2 points for Green Light Monday and 1 point for each Green Light/15 Frax Tuesday-Thursday
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  • Create Student Google Login for Home Computer
    • ​​Click here for the directions
      • ​this process will create a single icon sign on for your student (and/or any Google account)
        • ​this will make your computer function exactly like the student Chromebooks, without changing any of your home computer settings.
        • once completed, your student will have full access to everything we use in class.​​
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  • IXL Grading System - will be assigned (just about) everyday. See homework page for assigned codes. 
    • Point System to 80% Smartscore
      • Smartscore 100% will equal 10 points regardless of how many questions are answered  (max 75 questions)
      • 10 points: 20 or less questions
      • 9 points: 21-22 questions
      • 8 points: 23-24 questions
      • 7 points: 25-26 questions
      • 6 points: 27-28 questions
      • 5 points: 29+ questions
      • 4 points: incomplete code - code was started, but scored less than 80%
        • Most IXL codes will be started in class. If students do not complete the code to 80%, they will need to finish the code at home. The IXL code will be entered into the gradebook on the following day. If a code is incomplete, for example, the student only got a Smartscore of 64%, then they will earn only 4 points. 
          • The assignment will be marked as "incomplete" in Aeries to help identify that it needs to be completed. 
            • Students can finish the code to 80%+. Once they finish the code, they will need to email me to ask me to check and update their grade for that code. 
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Charging Chromebooks at home:
  • Purchase this charger 
    • ​Most likely will only use in 4th grade - 5th grade does not send Chromebooks home. 
  • Or use any USB-C cable and a power adaptor that is rated for 30W or higher. 
    • cell phone chargers are usually 5W and iPads are 12W
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Social Studies Proof Page Example:
  • Proof Page Example
  • Students must submit a "proof page" prior to completing the online/digital crossword.
    • Students will annotate their textbook, find the crossword answers, and complete the paper crossword
    • Once their notes and proof page have been accepted, they will then submit the online/digital crossword. 
  • Students need to prove their answers in all subjects
    • This example will be seen in a similar manner in the other subjects. 
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