Ms. Amundsen-Claeson's Classroom
2018 ~ 2019 

C hicago 
V irtual 
C harter 
S chool
  • need to know from Ms. A-C!
    • about Ms. A- C
  • students
    • news/announcements
    • ASP this week >
      • ClassConnects
      • Monday 9:30
      • Monday 10:35
      • Monday 12:30
      • Monday 1:35
      • Thursday 9:30
      • Thursday 10:35
      • Thursday 12:30
      • Thursday 1:35
    • Math "Cheat Sheets" >
      • The Four Operations and Negative Numbers
    • classroom resources >
      • Link to OLD Online Textbook
      • Multiplication Tables
      • math support >
        • September
        • October
        • November
        • December
        • January
        • February
        • March
        • April
        • May
        • June
    • math >
      • math support >
        • internet resources >
          • all four operations
          • decimals
          • expressions & equations
          • long division
          • percent
          • place value
          • ratios
      • Common Core by Topic
      • Online Resources for Math Instruction
      • Geometry
      • Statistics & Probability
      • Measurement & Data
      • Fractions - Multiplication & Division
      • Multiplication Charts
  • parents-click here!
    • Around the Web
    • FAQs About Charter Schools
    • How can I help my student with writing a math extended-response?
    • common core >
      • CLICK HERE for the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
      • For Parents & Learning Coaches >
        • Section 1: Exploring Common Core's Roots >
          • Understanding the Rationale >
            • Recognizing the Standards
            • Recognizing the Goals
            • Higher Standards or Not?
          • Tracing Common Core's History >
            • Identifying the Barriers
            • Resuming the Conversation
            • Developing the Common Core Standards
            • Meeting the Common Core Architects
          • State Adoptions and Implementation >
            • Recognizing Common Core States
            • Striving to Implement Common Core
        • Section 2: Grasping the Basics of the Common Core State Standards >
          • Getting Your Hands on the Standards
          • Brushing Up on Mathematics Practice and Content Standards >
            • Meeting the Standards for Mathematical Practice >
              • Digging Deeper into the Math Practices
            • Getting Familiar with Content Standards by Domain
          • Exploring the English Language Arts Standards >
            • Improving Reading Comprehension
            • Balancing Fiction and Nonfiction
            • Honing Writing Skills
            • Cultivating Speaking and Listening Skills
            • Fine-tuning grammar, usage, mechanics, and vocabulary
            • Addressing Standard 10
            • The literacy standards
            • Tapping the ELA appendixes >
              • Differentiating standards from curriculum
          • Focusing on Instructional Shifts >
            • Navigating instructional shifts in math
            • Exploring instructional shifts in English language arts and literacy
        • Section 3: Supporting Common Core at Home: Your Role as a Parent >
          • Creating a Setting Conducive to Learning >
            • How to handle homework (or lack thereof)
          • Modeling Lifelong Learning
          • Encouraging and Nurturing a Curious Mind
          • Making Learning Resources Readily Available >
            • Focus on high-interest reading materials
          • Making Education Relevant to the Real World
          • Supporting the School's Efforts
        • Section 4: Teaming Up with Teachers >
          • Communicating Effectively with Teachers and Administrators
          • Monitoring Your Child's Performance and Progress
          • Helping with Homework
          • Volunteering at School
        • Section 5: Doing the Math in Kindergarten through Grade 8 >
          • Looking at K-8 Content Standards
          • Honing Skills in Fractions, Division, and Volume in Grade 5 >
            • Operations and Algebraic Thinking
            • Number and Operations in Base Ten
            • Number and Operations: Fractions
            • Measurement and Data
            • Geometry
          • Exploring Ratios, Rates, Variables, Exponents, and More in Grade 6
        • Section 6: Helping Your Child Achieve English Language Arts Standards in K-5 >
          • Looking at the Anchor Standards
          • Mastering Foundational Reading Skills
          • Reading and Understanding Literature
          • Reading and Deciphering Informational Texts
          • Writing Clearly and Effectively
          • Speaking and Listening Standards
          • English Language Rules and Conventions
        • Section 7: Raising the Bar: English Language Arts Standards in Grades 6-12 >
          • Reading More Sophisticated Literature and Informational Texts
          • Honing Your Child's Writing Skills
          • Mastering the Spoken Word: Speaking and Listening
          • Exploring Higher-Level Rules and Conventions of Language
        • Section 8: Mastering Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects >
          • Improving Reading Comprehension in History/Social Studies
          • Deciphering Texts on Scientific and Technical Topics
          • Writing about History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
        • Section 9: Ten Tips for Parents >
          • What's My Child Currently Working On?
          • How Well Is My Child Meeting Expectations?
          • May I See Samples of My Child's Work?
          • Is My Child Struggling in Any Subject Areas?
          • In Which Subject Areas Does My Child Excel?
          • What Can I Do to Help My Child Achieve the Standards?
          • If My Child Needs Help with Homework, What Resources Are Available?
          • Does the School Offer Any Opportunities for Academic Enrichment?
          • What Can My Child Be Doing to Develop Good Study Habits?
          • Which Classes Should My Child Be Taking?
        • Section 10: Ten Ways to Help Your Child Achieve Common Core Standards >
          • Know What Your Child Is Working On
          • Monitor Your Child's Performance
          • Have a Daily Homework/Study Routine
          • Provide a Study-Friendly Environment
          • Don't Do Your Child's Schoolwork
          • Praise Your Child's Efforts
          • Provide Interesting Reading Material
          • Encourage Your Child to Take Advantage of Academic Enrichment Opportunities
          • Take Fun, Educational Trips
          • Encourage Stimulating Hobbies
        • Section 11: Resources for the Common Core State Standards
      • Standards for Mathematical Practice (ALL grades)
  • how-to study math
    • Your Tools
    • Class Time
    • Taking Notes
    • Homework
    • Studying for Quizzes and Tests
    • Taking Tests
  • archie

Making Learning Resources Readily Available

Your child has plenty of learning resources at school - teachers, books, videos, computers with Internet access, fellow students, and so on. To truly reinforce learning at home, you need to provide additional resources, which may differ from what your child can access at school. 

Team up with your child to identify and gather the resources he needs to achieve his full potential. Here's a list of suggestions to get your started:

  • Accumulate a collection of high-interest reading materials. Turn reading into a fun activity at home by providing your child access to an abundance of interesting texts. Reading comprehension is strengthened over time as students consistently read more and more fluently. If you expect them to do this at home, make sure reading materials are available that are related to their interests. 
  • Tap into resources at local museums, parks, and cultural centers. Take advantage of any resources available around you that are readily accessible. If museums, parks, or cultural centers are nearby, visit them with your child and spend an afternoon learning together. Many places have brochures or pamphlets that summarize and highlight key features or exhibits. 
  • Spend time at the library. Visit your local library and explore the various resources that are available. Even though students can access numerous materials on the Internet, help your child learn to navigate the library to find reading materials. If you can't find something on your own, ask the librarian for assistance. Seeking help not only results in finding what you're looking for, but it also demonstrates the importance and value of people resources, such as librarians. 
  • Create a file for interesting articles. Keep track of articles in magazines and newspapers that you think will pique the interest of your child. You can simply cut them out (or print them out) and stick them in a folder. With an abundance of articles close by, you can frequently read one with your child and have a great discussion. Even if a certain article may be over her head right now, you can pull it back out in a few years. 
  • Bookmark useful and interesting sites on the Internet. Practice organizational skills when exploring resources on the Internet. Performing a quick search for a resource you access often is easy, but using bookmarks and favorites to flag commonly uses resources facilitates and expedites the research process. Spend some time identifying certain websites that are updated frequently with materials that are interesting to your child, showing him how to bookmark or favorite the site and then prompting him to revisit the site often to read new materials. 

Remain vigilant about interests and abilities outside the confines of what your child's school offers, and nurture them to the best of your ability. Enrolling your child in piano or guitar lessons or in modern-dance classes is certainly an option, but you can also explore opportunities in your community, such as community theater, church choir, local hobby clubs, and scouting. Older children may have even more opportunities, such as moot court programs in which students argue imaginary court cases in front of a mock judge or jury and even compete against other teams. 

Next: Focus on high-interest reading materials

Contact me for help or just to check-in!

Picture
Preferred Method of Communication:


1st: Email: mclaeson@cvcschool.org

2nd: Text @ 773-480-0509


3rd: Phone @ 773-480-0509

4th: Comments thru this website



Also, follow me on Twitter to receive instant notifications when new blog postings are available!                                    
​My Twitter handle is: @MrsClaeson


** Please remember that I am in class most of the day, Monday - Thursday, and in various meetings and ClassConnects on Fridays, and therefore may not be able to get back to you immediately. Email is the preferred method of communication and is checked (and responded to) in the evening Mondays through Thursdays, and throughout the day on Fridays. Voice mails left for me will be answered generally in the evening as well. Thank you for your patience and consideration, as I do have professional duties outside of the classroom and familial obligations as well. **

I'm always available at the LC before 8:45, in Room 229  Please feel free to catch me then. I am NOT available in person after either  session. You may also see Ms. Swain in the Main Office and have her radio for me before the LC session in the morning. 

Picture
38 South Peoria Street 
(in the Merit School of Music building 
- corner of Peoria & Monroe)


Chicago, Illinois 60607

School Phone #:

312-267-4486
Picture
** Chicago Virtual Charter School (CVCS) does not maintain this web site nor the web sites linked from this site.  CVCS are not responsible for content on pages outside of this school web site.  Sites are selected carefully for middle school student use, but cannot be guaranteed.  Adult supervision is encouraged whenever students are exploring the Internet.

MobyMax Sign-In Link:

www.mobymax.com/il2462

Chicago Virtual Charter School Vision

To become the best hybrid school in the nation.



Chicago Virtual Charter School Mission


To empower every student to flourish as an individual citizen in a diverse, global society.