Homework Questions Answered/State Standards

Dear Parents,
Now that homework has gotten underway for the year and you have seen what it is like, I just wanted to send on a few reminders:
1) If at any time during the year, you feel that the homework is too hard or too easy for your child, please let me know so that I can adjust it.
2) If your child finishes their homework for the week early and you or them would love more, please let me know and I would be glad to send more along.
3) Don't worry if your child doesn't finish in an evening--we're doing this more for the process than the content. I want the children to get in the routine of homework, so if they are at their breaking point, let them have a rest! :)
4) Baggie books only need to come back on Friday for a new book on Monday--again, if it is too hard or too easy, let me know and I will adjust! :)

Thanks so much for a great start to the year!
I've had a few questions about our State Standards--what they are for Kindergarten and how to find them. The Standards as we (teachers) knew them underwent a revision this summer and are presented in a new format, with selected standards being identified as "Core" Standards--the standards that we as teachers should focus on. Not to say that the others are less important, but when we look at the 1st grade standards, these are the most important for us to focus on. The standards that are not identified at "Core" Standards, are included under their headings. Basically, they took the long list that we had and condensed it into a more manageable list for both students and teachers. In doing this, the state made the lists of standards more developmentally appropriate for the children who are intended to be learning them. For a look at them, you can visit this site and download them to your computer and refer back to them as the year goes on:
http://www.doe.in.gov/standards

I hope you visit and check them out--I log on almost daily! :)


Working hard for your children,

Kristen Poindexter