A NEW YEAR Has Started! Set YOUR Goals High!!!

Welcome to 2011 and back to school!!!!! Now is the time to set your goals and think about things to come in the future. I am SURE that many of you are thinking ahead to SOL Testing and the scores you hope to make on those tests. You can't wait until the last minute to prepare. You have to start NOW! Here are some things you should be doing to get ready:
1. Do ALL of your homework and come to class ready to ask questions if you don't understand something.
2. Study your notes EVERY night! Those Math Journals should be going home with you every night so you can review the skills that you still are struggling with. Use your OLD papers that have been graded and sent home to review and practice too.
3. Schedule a time to talk to your teacher if you need some ONE-ON-ONE help with a certain skill. AR Time is 8:05-8:40 so while my homeroom students are working on AR, I am free to help students, but YOU have to let me know what you need help with and come to me to schedule a time! I am here for you!
4. Come to school ready to LEARN! Many students are not coming with that "learning attitude." We are noticing that some are coming just to socialize and play with friends. There is a time for socializing, talking, and playing but class time is NOT that time. Save your conversations for Lunch, Recess, and other free time that may come up. Use class time for asking questions, listening carefully, and doing your best on your assignments.
5. Make yourself some study aids such as flashcards, study posters, practice tests, etc. You LEARN when you DO SOMETHING with the information.....not just by looking at it. The more you work with information and use it, the better you LEARN it! Be an ACTIVE learner!!!
6. ENCOURAGE each other.....we're all one big 5th-grade Family and everyone needs encouragement and friendship. When people feel better about being at school, they LEARN better!
7. Follow directions and DO YOUR BEST......no one can MAKE you succeed. You have to choose it for yourself and WANT to be a winner! Your teachers are here to teach you, guide you, and help you. But in the end.....it's up to YOU!