I expect...
1.YOUR CHILD TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK! They have writing and spelling homework every single night M-TH. Many parents requested that their kids get basic words spelling help. I found the program (independent testing) and now they need to bring them home every night and have you help them learn to spell them. We literally don't have time to learn words that 4th graders should have mastered in the first three years of school. Please help me out here. I have so many kids taking test 2 for the FOURTH time tomorrow. This means they have taken the same exact test three times and failed. That is craziness!
2. YOUR CHILD TO DRESS APPROPRIATELY. When it is cold or cool kids need gloves, hats, boots, and warm coats. Snowpants help as well. This is a safety issue.
3. YOUR CHILD TO LISTEN TO DIRECTIONS THE FIRST TIME I ASK THEM. I REFUSE to repeat myself anymore. I also REFUSE to allow kids to not follow directions and then get another chance to do the assignment/task correctly. They will just get a consequence or an F.
4. YOUR CHILD TO ACT AND LEARN LIKE A 4TH GRADER. Many kids are turning in work and handwriting that looks like a first grader did it. Problems left blank, words that are not in the English language, scribbles, or not backing up their answers with evidence does not cut in in the 4th grade.
5. YOUR CHILD TO NOT TATTLE OR BOSS OTHERS AROUND. I am the teacher. I am certified and I can handle all and any situations that come up. I don't need help from students. We have had numerous character meetings about this very subject. There is a difference between tattling and telling. If there is a threat of bullying or danger, I want to know. If not, they need to solve the problem or just let it go. I have two classroom rules pertaining to this. Rule 2: Be responsible for yourself. and Rule 4: Go to a solution to better your life. We are too busy to worry about little Johnny sitting in the wrong chair or little Sally not having their notebook out. I will deal with them.
Each and every one of these kids are capable of meeting all five of the above expectations. None of them have changed since day one. I need your support at home. Ask them, are you doing expectation one? Are you doing expectation two? and so on. Talk to your kids each and every day. Thanks.
It may seem like I am being frank, and I am. I have a job to do, and when kids REPEATEDLY break these expectations it is hard to do my job. It is also, and more importantly, hard for possibly your child to get the education they deserve. As a parent myself, if I knew that my child was missing out on valuable instruction time because of these kinds of things each and every day I would be livid. We are halfway through the 4th grade, and it is well past serious time.
If you discuss these with your child, then write the word EXPECTATIONS in their planner for an extra $50 tomorrow at check in.
Have a good night.
