Answers to your questions!

Thank you for filling out the questionnaires about your child. It was very helpful to hear important things about your children and what excites them about learning. If you would like another copy or did not receive a questionnaire, let me know and I will send one home.

Many of you had some great questions for me. I wanted to answer them on this blog to provide all parents with some information they may be wondering about as well. If you have more questions, keep them coming!


Are you going to be co-teaching with another teacher?


So far, I am the only classroom teacher who has been teaching Science, Language Arts and Math to 5th graders. Lorraine Whittington teaches 6th grade math and Social Studies.
Michelle Haren, a special education teacher at Hoover, will be co-teaching sometimes with me for Langauge Arts. So far, we have not co-taught this year. Some of her students from her homeroom will join my homeroom and we will have the benefit of multiple instructors. We are excited to start planning several approaches to reaching more students in meaningful ways.


How do you plan to encourage a need to know math facts?


Each day, students start the morning will mental math reflexes. These reflexes, along with math facts assessments will give both the student and I a clear idea of what to work on. We will use these to guide us when making goals for the year. The student will sign a goal sheet complete with specific objectives and plans for accomplishing their goals. I will have them take this home for you to sign next week. I believe students should be encouraged to use math in inquisitive situations and math facts should not be a barrier. I realize that there are students who will not need to focus on math facts. However, I also realize that it is not just a trivial matter, as students' confidence can grow leaps and bounds when they have a hold on basic computation.


What do you recommend to 5th and 6th graders who really want to excel in math?


I recommend that they clearly communicate both their concerns and expectations with either Mrs. Whittington and myself. The more they can volunteer to be peer helpers, accept extension challenge activities and volunteer their ideas in class, the better. Both Mrs. Whittington and I send all chapter tests home to be signed by you so that you have updates of their progress.


What's the most important thing we should know about you?

I am invigorated by new ideas, people and experiences. I aim to have learning be personable, reflective and joyous. I also can eat 10 ears of corn in a sitting. :)

It's a new school year!

Greetings 5/6 Hoover Families!

I am looking forward to the first day of school tomorrow! Welcome back 6th grade families, new 5th and 6th grade families and new families to Hoover! Below are a few items I want to address to ease into the new school year. If you have additional questions, please let me know.

-I've sent out an email with this information. If you did not receive an email, let me know and I will add you to the list.

-At the Ice Cream Social last night, there were papers available to pick up: A letter from me (including a little bit about our classroom this year), a class schedule, lunch assistance and a parent-student questionnaire. If you did not receive some or any of these sheets, let me know and today I will slip them in your child's take home folder for Thursday.

-The questionnaires are a great way to learn more about your child and for you to share your input with me. You are welcome to send these questionnaires back with your child on Friday or Monday of next week.

-Planners have not yet arrived to Hoover, but students will receive identical planner pages in a packet. You can expect these to come home every night starting Thursday with notes, assignments or messages.

-Parent volunteers: Students are fortunate to have many people teach them about their experiences as well as share their time and talents. If you would like to be a part of field trips, class celebrations, you can email me your preferences. Additionally, if you would like to share your ideas or services as a guest speaker, class reading guest, or in other areas, please email me as well.


May this be a year filled with joy and learning celebrations!

Go Hoover Hawks!

~Ms. Dobyns