Homework & Class Help

Important Upcoming 5th Grade Dates:
February 6
Progress Reports Come Home
February 8
Spirit/Pizza Day
February 12
Strings Solo Performances at 9:00 am
February 14
Valentine's Day- Treats in the afternoon- More information to come
February 15
3rd Grade Mardi Gras Parade around the school- 2:15
February 18-20
- Winter Break
February 22
Gator Buddies- M & M Graphing Activity
March 8
- 3rd 9 Weeks Reporting Period Ends
April
- LEAP Testing

      Kat Buckner teaches 5th grade Reading and  ELA. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Centenary College of Louisiana. Ms. Buckner joined the A.C. Steere family in 2014. Before becoming a Gator, she taught 1st, 2nd, and 5th grade at Barret Paideia Academy. When Ms. Buckner isn’t working, she enjoys painting, blogging, and writing. She is also a runner, yogi, and likes to design t-shirts. Ms. Buckner comes from a military family and loves to travel. She has been to Greece, Italy, England, France, Mexico, Guam, and Turkey. She also creates things for teachers on Teachers Pay Teachers. Ms. Buckner's current goals are to take classes in American Sign Language and pursue a Master's Degree in Counseling. 

Fun Facts:
* Has 2 dogs and 2 cats
*  Teaching since 2012
* Joined the A.C. Steere Gators in 2014.
* Originally planned on becoming a journalist, but found a passion for teaching while tutoring and working at a daycare in college
* Has a side business selling her paintings- #kataclysmickreations
* Her first year at A.C. Steere, a student brought a toy cockroach, and it became the "class mascot". Her name was Roachella. 
* Has ridden a camel, flown an airplane, and ridden on a ferry boat
* Ran a half-marathon when she was 25
* Loves chocolate, sushi, spaghetti, quesadillas, and Coca-Cola
* Enjoys reading nonfiction and researching
* Loves animals, cosmology, astrology, psychology, and sociology
* Frequently dyes or changes her hair
* Paints her nails a different color almost every week
* Likes to dress up in costumes 
* Was diagnosed with ADHD and Anxiety in childhood
* Has studied  ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyslexia,  and many other learning disorders and mental disorders.

Buckner swinging on the barn swing at Dixie Maze Farms:

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I am thankful for any help you can give to our classroom!
White printer paper
White cardstock
Colored cardstock
Black Sharpies
Tissues
Paper Towels
Lysol Cleaning Whipes
Yellow sticky notes
Febreze Air freshener (No food smells, please.)
Airwick Plug-in Refills (No food smells, please.)
Colored printer paper
Colored Index Cards
Extra Colored Pencils
Notebook Paper (No College Ruled)
Extra Plastic Green Pocket Folder

Checkout my Amazon Wishlist HERE! 

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​*Green Links are great Test-Prep 
*Blue links are used in the classroom!
A.C. Steere PTA
See your child's grades. Set up a login. Our office can help you setup a login if you do not already have one.
JPAMS Parent Portal
Want to hear all about what we're doing in class? I frequently post during the school year photos and explanations of what we're learning and what's going on at our school! *I do not post photos of students unless given permission.*
Caddo Parish School Board
Louisiana Department of Education Great resources available to students and parents! Click the Family Support Toolbox.
Louisiana Believes
Spelling City
Flashcards, quizzes, and games for our spelling words. Login: Steere Password: sky
Ms. B's YouTube Channel
Includes videos I've used throughout the  years for different subjects and brain breaks! Just go to my playlist. :)
Spelling City
Online study tool with flashcards, quizzes, and games. We utilize this site for Science.
Readworks
A great website with online videos to help your child with any subject!
Discovery Education
Online educational videos for many subjects!
BrainPOP
Online songs/videos to help students with different vocabulary.
Flocabulary
Inspirational and instructional videos for students
Learn to Type
typing.com offers free lessons and games to teach children how to type.​
LearnZillion
Caddo Parish Guidebook 2.0 Is located here. Great resources. 
Teaching Channel
Sample Common Core styled questions
Lumos Learning
Shreveport Memorial Library
Educational Games for Kids
Fun Brain
Educational Games and Videos for Kids
PBS Kids
National Geographic for Kids
Grammar Monster
Great website for grammar terms and practice!
IXL:Immersive Adaptive Learning
Skill practice questions
Quizizz
Review quizzes for particular skills and our Guidebook units

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Contact Me:

Class Phone: 318-865-5675 ext. 42322
Work Cell: 318-406-1933
E-mail: kabuckner@caddoschools.org 

Dear Parent:
I know. You’re worried. Every day, your child comes home with a story about THAT kid. The one who is always hitting, shoving, pinching, scratching, maybe even biting other children. The one who always has to hold my hand in the hallway. The one who has a special spot at the carpet, and sometimes sits on a chair rather than the floor. The one who had to leave the block center because blocks are not for throwing. The one who climbed over the playground fence right exactly as I was telling her to stop. The one who poured his neighbor’s milk onto the floor in a fit of anger. On purpose. While I was watching.  And then, when I asked him to clean it up, emptied the ENTIRE paper towel dispenser. On purpose. While I was watching. The one who dropped the REAL ACTUAL F-word in gym class.
You’re worried that THAT child is detracting from your child’s learning experience. You’re worried that he takes up too much of my time and energy, and that your child won’t get his fair share. You’re worried that she is really going to hurt someone some day. You’re worried that “someone” might be your child. You’re worried that your child is going to start using aggression to get what she wants. You’re worried your child is going to fall behind academically because I might not notice that he is struggling to hold a pencil. I know.
Your child, this year, in this classroom, at this age, is not THAT child. Your child is not perfect, but she generally follows rules. He is able to share toys peaceably. She does not throw furniture. He raises his hand to speak. She works when it is time to work, and  plays when it is time to play. He can be trusted to go straight to the bathroom and straight back again with no shenanigans. She thinks that the S-word is “stupid” and the C-word is “crap.” I know.
I know, and I am worried, too.
You see, I worry all the time. About ALL of them. I worry about your child’s pencil grip, and another child’s letter sounds, and that little tiny one’s shyness, and that other one’s chronically empty lunchbox. I worry that Gavin’s coat is not warm enough, and that Talitha’s dad yells at her for printing the letter B backwards. Most of my car rides and showers are consumed with the worrying.
But I know, you want to talk about THAT child. Because Talitha’s backward B’s are not going to give your child a black eye.
I want to talk about THAT child, too, but there are so many things I can’t tell you.
I can’t tell you that she was adopted from an orphanage at 18 months.
I can’t tell you that he is on an elimination diet for possible food allergies, and that he is therefore hungry ALL. THE. TIME.
I can’t tell you that her parents are in the middle of a horrendous divorce, and she has been staying with her grandma.
I can’t tell you that I’m starting to worry that grandma drinks…
I can’t tell you that his asthma medication makes him agitated.
I can’t tell you that her mom is a single parent, and so she (the child) is at school from the moment before-care opens, until the moment after-care closes, and then the drive between home and school takes 40 minutes, and so she (the child) is getting less sleep than most adults.
I can’ tell you that he has been a witness to domestic violence.
That’s okay, you say. You understand I can’t share personal or family information. You just want to know what I am DOING about That Child’s behaviour.
I would love to tell you. But I can’t.
I can’t tell you that she receives speech-language services, that an assessment showed a severe language delay, and that the therapist feels the aggression is linked to frustration about being unable to communicate.
I can’t tell you that I meet with his parents EVERY week, and that both of them usually cry at those meetings.
I can’t tell you that the child and I have a secret hand signal to tell me when she needs to sit by herself for a while.
I can’t tell you that he spends rest time curled in my lap because “it makes me feel better to hear your heart, Teacher.”
I can’t tell you that I have been meticulously tracking her aggressive incidents for 3 months, and that she has dropped from 5 incidents a day, to 5 incidents a week.
I can’t tell you that the school secretary has agreed that I can send him to the office to “help” when I can tell he needs a change of scenery.
I can’t tell you that I have stood up in a staff meeting and, with tears in my eyes, BEGGED my colleagues to keep an extra close eye on her, to be kind to her even when they are frustrated that she just punched someone AGAIN, and this time, RIGHT IN FRONT OF A TEACHER.
The thing is, there are SO MANY THINGS I can’t tell you about That Child. I can’t even tell you the good stuff.
I can’t tell you that his classroom job is to water the plants, and that he cried with heartbreak when one of the plants died over winter break.
I can’t tell you that she kisses her baby sister goodbye every morning, and whispers “You are my sunshine” before mom pushes the stroller away.
I can’t tell you that he knows more about thunderstorms than most meteorologists.
I can’t tell you that she often asks to help sharpen the pencils during playtime.
I can’t tell you that she strokes her best friend’s hair at rest time.
I can’t tell you that when a classmate is crying, he rushes over with his favorite stuffy from the story corner.
The thing is, dear parent, that I can only talk to you about YOUR child. So, what I can tell you is this:
If ever, at any point, YOUR child, or any of your children, becomes THAT child…
I will not share your personal family business with other parents in the classroom.
I will communicate with you frequently, clearly, and kindly.
I will make sure there are tissues nearby at all our meetings, and if you let me, I will hold your hand when you cry.
I will advocate for your child and family to receive the highest quality of specialist services, and I will cooperate with those professionals to the fullest possible extent.
I will make sure your child gets extra love and affection when she needs it most.
I will be a voice for your child in our school community.
I will, no matter what happens, continue to look for, and to find, the good, amazing, special, and wonderful things about your child.
I will remind him and YOU of those good amazing special wonderful things, over and over again.
And when another parent comes to me, with concerns about YOUR child…
I will tell them all of this, all over again.

With so much love,
Teacher

-Amy Murray, Miss Night's Marbles

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Please remember to bring these items the first week of school:
​1 Zipper Binder with 1 1/2 rings
1 Reinforced Zippered Pencil Case (to fit in Zipper Binder)
2 Large Glue Sticks
2 Packages of #2 Yellow or Mechanical (Non-Decorative) Pencils
1 Package of 4+ Black Dry Erase Markers
1 Plastic Green Pocket Folder
4 Yellow Highlighters (Please only yellow)
2 Large Boxes of Kleenex
2 Packages of 12 Red Ink Pens
2 Packages of Wide Rules Notebook Paper (NO COLLEGE RULED)
4 Marble Composition Books
1 Single Subject Spiral Notebook: 100 Pages Wide Ruled
1 Box of Colored Pencils
1 Package of Cap Erasers
1 Package Plastic Dividers WITH pockets (8 pockets minimum)
1 Package 3 x 5 Lined Index Cards
$25.00 Room Fee
​*Flash Drive would be beneficial, but not mandatory

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Q: My child is struggling with spelling, what can I do to help?
​A: Go to the Homework and Class Help button at the top of this page to find the Spelling City website and use the login provided. This has all of our spelling lists. Students can take quizzes, use flashcards, and play games. This page also has my YouTube channel link. Under my Play Lists are helpful videos on particular skills and texts read in class. In addition, you can check out some of the websites listed below under Helpful Websites. 

Q: My child is struggling with reading comprehension, what can I do to help? 
A: Check out the Read Works link under Helpful Websites. This website provides reading passages on multiple levels, skills, and subjects. Each passage also contains comprehension questions for students check their understanding.

Q: My child is struggling with reading fluency, what can I do to help?
A: Read a book aloud with your child, taking turns every few paragraphs or pages, or have your child read a book aloud to you. Have the child practice pacing, intonation, and inflection. Quiz your child after a few paragraphs or at the end of a chapter to check comprehension.

Q: My child needs help with mentor sentences and/or grammar, what can I do to help?
A: First, make sure your child is studying their Study Guide and Mentor Sentence Notebook every night the week of the Mentor Sentence Quiz. This should be written in their planner. It is also listed under the Homework and Class Help button at the top of this page. This page also includes helpful information about Mentor Sentences in general. You can also find great grammar videos on my YouTube channel. The Quizizz link, listed under Helpful Websites and on the Homework and Class Help page, has great quizzes to practice grammar skills. Students can also play live with friends by using the same game code! Last, Grammar Monster is a great website to practice grammar skills. It is listed under Helpful Websites below.

 Q: My child is struggling with writing, what can I do to help?
A: <-- Look at the Important Documents to the left for great documents to aid in student writing. The Homework and Class Help page also has some helpful tips for writing towards the bottom. A good tip to improve writing, is to write often. Your child may be interested in writing stories or keeping a journal. The more a child writes, the better they will become at forming sentences and putting their thoughts into words. Students can also practice editing their writing using common editing marks.

Q: How do I schedule a parent-teacher conference?
A: Contact the office or me. :) See contact information below.

Q: I think my child may have ADHD, Dyslexia, or another learning disability, what should I do?
A: Make an appointment with your child's primary care physician; contact Mrs. Leblanc, and set up a parent-teacher conference or shoot me an e-mail. 

Q: Are parents aloud to attend field trips?
A: YES! The more chaperones, the better! 

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 Lettuce Turnip the Beet
Get a-mazed on this "fun on the farm" adventure! Experience the barn swing, animals, hayride, corn shoot, and so much more on this fall outing.
Date: October 19
Lunch: ​Duck Pond, Sack Lunch

Get Hooked on this Trip!
There's something fishy about this field trip! Observe various species of fish up-close, explore the life of an alligator, learn to survive in deep waters, and fly-fish in the sun. This field trip is going to "lure" you in!
Date: May
Lunch: TBA

 Back to the Future
This is the sickest trip ever! Travel back in time to the 1800's in Louisiana and experience the lives of our pioneers. Walk through homes, see a blacksmith at work, and view what hospitals were like before the discovery of germs!
Date: May
Lunch: TBA

Dress Code for Field Trips: 5th Grade T.Shirt or A.C. Steere T.Shirt, Tennis shoes, Jeans or shorts.
Sack Lunch: Students can bring a sack lunch or receive a sack lunch from the cafeteria. Students may bring can soda for the field trip.
Chaperones: We would love for you to join us! Parents can find their own transportation or ride with us. :) 

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ADHD:

• Healing ADHD: The Breakthrough Program that Allows You to See and Heal the 7 Types of ADHD - Daniel G. Amen, M.D.

Dyslexia:

• The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain -Brock L. Eide, M.D., M.A. and Fernette F. Eide, M.D.
• Fish in a Tree -Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Autism Spectrum Disorder:

• The Autistic Brain- Temple Grandin
• Look Me in the Eye - John Elder Robinson

Gender Differences:

• Boys and Girls Learn Differently: A Guide for Teachers and Parents -Michael Gurian 
• Soar -David C. Banks

Poverty:

• A Framework for Understanding Poverty- Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D. 
• Amazing Grace: The Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation- Jonathan Kozol

Communication:

• ​How Full is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life - Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D.  (There is a children's version of this book.) 

Education:

• Class Dismissed: A Year in the Life of an American High School, a Glimpse into the Heart of a Nation - Meridith Maran
• The Essential 55- Ron Clark
• Educating Esume': Diary of a Teacher's First Year- Esme' Raji Codell
• Working with Parents: Building Relationships for Student Success- Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D.

Behavior:

• Positive Parenting YouTube playlist

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