fqa
This page will answer questions commonly asked by students and parents.
How often should math facts be practiced?
Everyday! Students should be practice their basic addition and subtraction facts everyday. In order to become successful in math knowing basic facts are essential! I recommend a minimum of 10 minutes a day on basic facts. Make these fun! Have it be a game in the car or while making dinner! I have games on my website or you can make a memory game out of flashcards! Download a game on your iphone, itouch, or ipad. Make it a game with an older sibling. Math can be fun if we make it fun!
When should students begin practicing multiplication facts?
Multiplication facts is one of the most exciting and important skills for 3rd grade! We will begin learning multiplication facts together as a class in October or November. Please make sure your child knows his or her basic facts before learning their multiplication facts. We practice facts everyday in class, however students will need to practice them every night once we have started the multiplication unit.
How much should my child be reading a night?
I require 15 minutes a night in the Fall and 20 minutes a night in the Spring. Reading is something that should be done everyday (yes, even on weekends!). This is such an important age to encourage reading because child at tis age can develop a love for reading! Modeling reading in your house is essential to your child's success. Chose a novel to read aloud together to make this a special time for you and your child! It is something they will always remember.
How much time should my child be spending on homework?
Great question! Anywhere from 15-45 minutes a night. This does not include reading or math fact practice time. I usually only give 2 sheets of homework a night. One math, one spelling. On occasion there will be another assignment given. Science homework is assigned on Tuesday (due Thursday) and Thursday (due the next Tuesday) by Ms. Denehy. If you have any questions on the science homework please refer them to Ms. Denehy.
Where can I find out the homework each night?
Your child will have a homework planner. Each day we will write the homework down as a class. It is your child's responsibility to copy it down carefully from the board each day. For the first quarter I will check and sign the homework notebooks to make sure they are done correctly. Your child will have a homework folder that they will bring home each night and return to the school the next day. After the first quarter late assignments will be docked points.
How can I find out important class news and events?
Sign-up for my weekly newsflash! I will send a newsflash on Sunday or Monday explaining what will be going on in the classroom that week. I will also send home a hard copy of the newsletter in your child's homework folder. Please check the homework folder each day for important letters and forms. The homework folders will be out main source of communication between home and school. Of course you can always email me with any questions you may have!
What are some good ipad, itouch, and iphone games for my child?
Great question! Technology and apps are changing every minute so it is hard to keep with with all the new fun games and activities that are constantly being produced and updated. My best advice is trial and error. You really have to try the app before you know if it is a "good" one for your child. I have heard that Monster Squeeze, Divisibility Dash, Beat the Computer, Top-it and Equivalent Fractions are all fun games, but with games and apps being updated so quickly that changes daily! Your kids are great at finding new games. As we update our technology more at St.Cecilia we will be able to explore these apps more to benefit classroom and at home instruction!
- How often should math facts be practiced?
- When should students begin practicing multiplication facts?
- How much should my child be reading a night?
- How much time should my child be spending on homework?
- Where can I find out the homework each night?
- How can I find out important class news and events?
- What are some good ipad, itouch, and iphone games for my child?
How often should math facts be practiced?
Everyday! Students should be practice their basic addition and subtraction facts everyday. In order to become successful in math knowing basic facts are essential! I recommend a minimum of 10 minutes a day on basic facts. Make these fun! Have it be a game in the car or while making dinner! I have games on my website or you can make a memory game out of flashcards! Download a game on your iphone, itouch, or ipad. Make it a game with an older sibling. Math can be fun if we make it fun!
When should students begin practicing multiplication facts?
Multiplication facts is one of the most exciting and important skills for 3rd grade! We will begin learning multiplication facts together as a class in October or November. Please make sure your child knows his or her basic facts before learning their multiplication facts. We practice facts everyday in class, however students will need to practice them every night once we have started the multiplication unit.
How much should my child be reading a night?
I require 15 minutes a night in the Fall and 20 minutes a night in the Spring. Reading is something that should be done everyday (yes, even on weekends!). This is such an important age to encourage reading because child at tis age can develop a love for reading! Modeling reading in your house is essential to your child's success. Chose a novel to read aloud together to make this a special time for you and your child! It is something they will always remember.
How much time should my child be spending on homework?
Great question! Anywhere from 15-45 minutes a night. This does not include reading or math fact practice time. I usually only give 2 sheets of homework a night. One math, one spelling. On occasion there will be another assignment given. Science homework is assigned on Tuesday (due Thursday) and Thursday (due the next Tuesday) by Ms. Denehy. If you have any questions on the science homework please refer them to Ms. Denehy.
Where can I find out the homework each night?
Your child will have a homework planner. Each day we will write the homework down as a class. It is your child's responsibility to copy it down carefully from the board each day. For the first quarter I will check and sign the homework notebooks to make sure they are done correctly. Your child will have a homework folder that they will bring home each night and return to the school the next day. After the first quarter late assignments will be docked points.
How can I find out important class news and events?
Sign-up for my weekly newsflash! I will send a newsflash on Sunday or Monday explaining what will be going on in the classroom that week. I will also send home a hard copy of the newsletter in your child's homework folder. Please check the homework folder each day for important letters and forms. The homework folders will be out main source of communication between home and school. Of course you can always email me with any questions you may have!
What are some good ipad, itouch, and iphone games for my child?
Great question! Technology and apps are changing every minute so it is hard to keep with with all the new fun games and activities that are constantly being produced and updated. My best advice is trial and error. You really have to try the app before you know if it is a "good" one for your child. I have heard that Monster Squeeze, Divisibility Dash, Beat the Computer, Top-it and Equivalent Fractions are all fun games, but with games and apps being updated so quickly that changes daily! Your kids are great at finding new games. As we update our technology more at St.Cecilia we will be able to explore these apps more to benefit classroom and at home instruction!