FRR -- Stay focused. Be respectful.  Be responsible.

Living with Integrity.  Having self-discipline.

Being humble and not entitled. Creating solutions not enabling excuses.

Absences -- A student will have one day to make up work for each day he or she is absent.  Remember, a lot of what happens in the classroom is the experience.   Paperwork does not make up what is missed in the classroom.  Excessive absences are required to be reported to country truancy department.

A.R.  -- Accelerated Reader is a very large database of quizzes to test the students' comprehension on books they read for enjoyment.  Students must read at home and earn at least  4 points per month.  This is roughly equivalent to a 150 page book at grade level.  These 4 points may NOT come from books read for regular reading lessons held within the classroom or reading resorts. These points are tied into classroom privileges and the Sail Accountability Sheet.   Some students like to procrastinate and this usually does not pay off.   Looking forward, in fifth grade a student is required to earn 90 AR points a year.  In fourth grade we are asking for only 36.   Help your child start a good reading habit this year.

Bathroom -- The pass can be used at any time except when the teacher is instructing or during a timed quiz / timed writing.  "Just put the pass on your desk and go."  Excessive use will be limited. 

Books -- In the event a student gets done with his/her work early, he/she should have a book to read at all times.  If they regularly choose not to provide themselves with one, I will gladly choose a book for them and expect a report on it when done.

Cell Phones -- Are not to be seen or heard in the classroom.   All confiscated cell phones will need to be picked up by a parent.

Cheating -- Any talking during a test or copying another student's independent work can be considered cheating.  We discuss this several times during the year AND it is in the student handbook.   Prevent bad habits from forming early.   Consequences are severe.

Classroom Library -- Sign out the books, enjoy them, and return them by the end of the year.  Replacement fee charged for missing books.

Cleanliness -- Keep the room clean and organized.  We are not living in a barn.  Don't make it look like we are.  This includes the coatroom and the inside/tops of the desks!  

Consequences -- In this classroom consequences are typically a removal of extra privileges (service squad, student council, recess, raffle drawings, challenge activities, lunches with the teacher, snack shop use, etc). However, if additional consequences are required it may include, but is not limited to, a trip to the principal, being sent home, completing assignments in the hallway, working in another non-4th grade classroom, writing apology letters, calling home for late assignments, or after school / lunch detention. 

Cooperative Learning -- According to successful businesses, one of the most important 21st century skills is being able to problem solve in groups.  Many classroom activities are based on this concept.  We strive to make every link in our classroom chain as strong as the strongest link.
 

Curriculum -- If you would like to know what your child should be learning during the course of the year, you may visit the Michigan Department of Education website.  It contains all the GLCEs (Grade Level Content Expectations).

Cursive -- After the first month when cursive from third grade has been reviewed, all language arts assignments will be expected to be in cursive.  Cursive is not required when creativity and brain storming are essential (such as on quick writes and rough drafts).

Electronics / Digital Devices-- None allowed in class.  There may be days that are exceptions.

Email -- It’s the 21st century, and in an effort to save paper all my updates will be emailed weekly. Please provide a parent email addresses. I have found this to be the most efficient mode of communication. bvasicek@cvs.k12.mi.us

Extra Credit -- Extra credit points may be given to students who show  initiative to go above and beyond   Sometimes extra credit challenge questions will appear on a test.  Extra credit cannot hurt a student's grade...so at least give it a try.  Extra credit assignments are not created  for students who do not  turn in their regular assignments.  

Field Trips -- Money and permission slips are due within one week of the note going home per Miami policies.  Late money will not be accepted.  Chaperones must complete a Criminal Background Check form available in the office.  If you have one on file from last year, then it is still on file.  If a trip has limited spacing for chaperones, then a first come first serve policy may be utilized.  If funding is a problem for your family, please let me know in advance and not the date the money is due.   I have no control rules that govern collecting money in classrooms, but I do have to follow them. 

Holiday Parties -- To make this educational, the students will be planning these parties.  They will decide what they want and figure out who will donate it.  

Homework -- See bottom of the page.

Integrity -- Know it.  Love it.  Live it. 

Law -- The students will have an opportunity to create their own bills and pass them through the classroom House and Senate to become laws.   They are encouraged to customize the classroom to fit their needs as long as the law falls within the guidelines of the Chippewa Valley Constitution (a.k.a. student manual).

Late Work --  For major assignments I give, on average, at least a week’s notice for the due date. I do this because I know families can have very busy weeks, and I respect your time. Please extend myself and the members of the class the same time courtesy. Each late or missing assignment steals at least 2 minutes from your child or his/her peers’ day.  

If an assignment is not turned in by 9:02 AM on the date it is due with a name on it, then it is considered late.   Also, being absent on the due date of a major project/assignment will also be considered late.  My advice is to turn the stuff in early as procrastination is not a successful habit to possess.     If you know of a circumstance that will prevent you or your child from meeting a deadline, then simply let me know in advance. For the record, receiving an email the morning it is due is not considered in advance.

One day late receives 50% credit and certain classroom privileges will be suspended until the assignment is turned in.  Two days late receives 0 credit and certain classroom privileges will be suspended until it the assignment is turned in.

Life Skills Unfortunately, the skills that the Fortune 500 companies value and the skills that really make you successful in life are not part of the Michigan curriculum. However, in our class we do take class time to learn these skills. I have designed lessons to allow practice with many of these skills with the most important being Integrity, self-discipline, responsibility and respect.
 

Mad Minutes -- Students will be given ONE minute to successfully complete 30 multiplication problems.   They need to be through their twelves by the December break.   Please help them learn these facts at the beginning of the year.  It will make their math much easier.   Doing flashcards frequently has brought great success to former students.

Money -- When turning in money for a field trip, please put it in a labeled envelope or baggie with the amount, purpose, and child's name.   Field trip money will be collected for only one week per Miami policies.  Late money will not be accepted even if your child is absent on the date it is due, so plan ahead and get it in right away.  The natural consequence will be not attending the field trip.   If funding is a problem, please let me know in advance.

Movie Night -- Occasionally the students will be invited to watch a movie on the big screen in the classroom after school.  This is an earned privilege to attend and not a right.  It is usually based on behavior and/or responsibility.  Donations are appreciated for the popcorn, pop, dessert and/or pizza.

Personal Best Essay Assignments -- Are due each Friday.  Some class time will be devoted to this, but the majority will be completed at home.

Privileges -- Many privileges are extended to the students in the class.  These include, but are not limited to use of classroom pillows, recess, extra computer time,  extra snacks or prizes, participating in raffle drawings, choice of seats, running the classroom music, lunches with the teacher, line leading, etc.  Privileges and rewards may be given or removed at anytime depending on the individual's or the team's classroom behavior. 

Recess -- CVS does not build time in the day for recess.  I do try to get the students outside as much as possible for lessons, teambuilding, and to enjoy their snacks.  Any extra time outside is earned and is not guaranteed.  I try to get them outside in the winter, too.   Please make sure to send hats and gloves to school.  This is a privilege, not a right.

Sail Accountability Sheet -- Students are given 20 points a month. Each late assignment or poor choice results in the subtraction of point(s). Classroom and school privileges are based on the number of points your child maintains.

Safety Squad -- This is a privilege for fifth grade students.  To be considered for a position on the Safety Squad the squad organizer looks for teacher recommendations, responsibility with assignments, 1's and 2's in life skills on the report cards, and consistent role model behavior in each class (specials included) and around the school.

Service Squad-- This  privilege is extended to those students who are role models and leaders of the school.  They must maintain the minimum Sail Accountability average, complete all AR points, have no more than 3 missing assignments for the year, and possess model behavior in the classroom and around the school.  The classroom teacher, service squad teacher, or service squad organizer may remove the privilege, and it is typically not earned back.

Shoes -- Most days students need tennis shoes.  We do a bit of physical education each day, be prepared. No flip flops allowed at school.

Snacks -- A brain cannot learn if it is thinking about food, so healthy, quiet snacks are allowed in the classroom at any time except during science labs.  Examples: carrots, celery, apple slices, cheese, grapes, pretzels, crackers (not chips), chewy fruit snacks, granola bars.  Snacks are available for purchase in the classroom as well.  Water only, no juice or pop.

Snack Shop -- Healthy snacks may be bought in the classroom snack shop.  This is privilege, not a right.

Student Council -- Each fall 2 students from the class are selected to be part of Miami's student council.  Students must have organizational skills, be responsible in and around the school, demonstrate excellent role model qualities, and maintain minimal accountability points / AR points.  This privilege may be removed if the student fails to meet minimal standards.

Tests/Quizzes -- Spelling Test and Activities due every Wednesday.   Typically there is a math test every other Friday.   I attempt to schedule all other tests on days that do not conflict with the math or spelling tests.

Tickets -- Tickets are sometimes given out for great answers or actions by students.  They can be saved and redeemed for extra credit coupons, classroom prizes or used to pay off penalties.

Water Bottles -- Allowed in the classroom at any time except during science labs or when laptops are utilized.  Water only, no juice or pop.

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Mr. V. Pet Peeves

1. Lack of Integrity 

2. Laziness -- Self-discipline, initiative and effort are key life skills. 

3. Late work -- Plenty of time is given, use it wisely.  Do not procrastinate.

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Quotes That Drive Our Class

Each student has the right to learn, and the teacher has a right to teach.

You work for me, and I will work for you.  You earn your privileges, you are not entitled to them.

Do not negatively enable yourself with excuses. 

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Key Miami Policies

Birthday Treats -- You may bring in a treat for each person in your class and your teacher (About 30).  Do not bring in treats for the principal and other teachers in the building.   Do not bring anything that is messy or requires cutting.

Clothing --  The bottom of a pair of shorts/skirts must be below finger tips.  Shirts must have straps 3 fingers wide.  No flip flops.  One warning is issued.  Second offense requires a change of clothes.

Holiday Party -- There are 3 parties per year.  No money is collected from the students for these parties.  A drink, a baked good, and healthy treats are now allowed.    Non-edible treats (pencils, stickers, etc) are always welcome.  The students will plan these and ask their parents for donations.

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HOMEWORK

HOMEWORK TIPS FOR PARENTS (and kids)

Kids usually could use a break right after school, but they also need a definite routine.  Set aside a generous 30 minutes before or after dinner to do school stuff.  Use a timer.  Reset it if they seem to be off task.

Teach your child how to budget time and not procrastinate with spelling, essay assignments, or At Home projects.

Don't overbook your child's after school life.  Commitments on more than 2 nights a week tend to affect performance and doing personal best.

Make reading part of your bedtime routine.  Read to or with your child once in a while.  They may seem annoyed, but they secretly will enjoy it. 

Encourage your child to finish the spelling activities on the weekend. 

Pass the mad minute tests early in the year. Flashcards Flashcards Flashcards.

Make sure your child completes all study guides and actually study from them.

Check your child's agenda every night.  I post daily assignments and missing assignments each day in the classroom.  Students are given 5 minutes at the end of each day to write down their own "to do" list.  For the first trimester I make an effort to sign all agenda's.  After that, I randomly sign them.  It is your child's responsibility to show you their agenda.  Seize the opportunity to discuss what he or she learned during the day.  Go over any returned papers.  Talk about ways to improve his or her grade.  Check the website for major due dates.

Have a quiet place with all the necessary supplies, a glass of water, and no distractions to do their homework.   Shut off the radio or television if you think they are listening to it more than working on their homework.

Give them positive reinforcement and specific feedback when you see they are working hard on something.

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A note for teachers reading this site.

The classroom management and teaching systems are designed by taking the best ideas from several leading educational philosophies.  These include the brain research of Eric Jensen and the Caines (Super Teaching, Teaching with the Brain in Mind) and the applications of the brain research written in Quantum Learning from Bobbi DePorter and Mark Reardon.  Other brain friendly principles are borrowed from Dr. Evanski (Classroom Activators), the Brain Expo Conference, and Rich Allen's 5 day workshop.  The teambuilding / cooperative learning concepts are based on Dr. Spencer Kagan  (see www.kaganonline.com for workshops and product information), Jeanne Gibbs (Tribes), Jonathan Erwin (The Classroom Choice) and Dr. Becky Bailey.  The rest are just creative ways invented to fit the personality of each unique class.