Comments for Our Stonybrook Blog http://mmongon.edublogs.org Stonybrook School, Kinnelon, NJ Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:15:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on For the week of 1/16 by Nancy Bosch http://mmongon.edublogs.org/2012/01/13/for-the-week-of-116/comment-page-1/#comment-85 Nancy Bosch Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:15:14 +0000 http://mmongon.edublogs.org/?p=364#comment-85 Tom Birdseye was a huge success! Teachers and students alike loved his presentation. His inpiration can be seen in small ways all over the school. From the students who cut their pens in half so the could keep them in their pocket, to the boxes or drawers started with all those scraps of paper, all makes for great writing! I just want to especially thank Mrs. Laura Coyne for all her hard work and dedication to Author Day. We should be receiving those signed books very soon! Tom Birdseye was a huge success! Teachers and students alike loved his presentation. His inpiration can be seen in small ways all over the school. From the students who cut their pens in half so the could keep them in their pocket, to the boxes or drawers started with all those scraps of paper, all makes for great writing! I just want to especially thank Mrs. Laura Coyne for all her hard work and dedication to Author Day. We should be receiving those signed books very soon!

]]> Comment on Welcome to Our Stonybrook Blog by Mr. Mongon http://mmongon.edublogs.org/about/comment-page-1/#comment-83 Mr. Mongon Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:50:38 +0000 #comment-83 The NJ ASK score reports that we send home come from the state. This typically happens late in the summer, or, in some cases, in the first weeks of school. That is the case this time. We have just received them, and will be collating and mailing them shortly. The NJ ASK score reports that we send home come from the state. This typically happens late in the summer, or, in some cases, in the first weeks of school. That is the case this time. We have just received them, and will be collating and mailing them shortly.

]]> Comment on Welcome to Our Stonybrook Blog by Erin Gadhavi http://mmongon.edublogs.org/about/comment-page-1/#comment-82 Erin Gadhavi Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:03:17 +0000 #comment-82 Hi Mr. Mongon, When can we expect the NJ ASK scores from last year? I remember getting them in July years prior - what is the reason for the delay? Thank you!! Erin Hi Mr. Mongon,

When can we expect the NJ ASK scores from last year? I remember getting them in July years prior – what is the reason for the delay?

Thank you!!
Erin

]]> Comment on School Supplies Lists by Linda http://mmongon.edublogs.org/2011/08/31/school-supply-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-81 Linda Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:08:31 +0000 http://mmongon.edublogs.org/?p=297#comment-81 Thank you, this is very helpful!!! See you next week! Thank you, this is very helpful!!! See you next week!

]]> Comment on Orientations: Update by Mr. Mongon http://mmongon.edublogs.org/2011/08/31/orientations-update/comment-page-1/#comment-80 Mr. Mongon Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:00:35 +0000 http://mmongon.edublogs.org/?p=288#comment-80 I'm glad you were able to participate, and I'm glad the boys are looking forward to school! With regard to supply lists, those are typically distributed by the teachers. However, since the mail has been delayed, I will post the general supply lists (please see the next post). I’m glad you were able to participate, and I’m glad the boys are looking forward to school!
With regard to supply lists, those are typically distributed by the teachers. However, since the mail has been delayed, I will post the general supply lists (please see the next post).

]]> Comment on Orientations: Update by Linda http://mmongon.edublogs.org/2011/08/31/orientations-update/comment-page-1/#comment-79 Linda Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:59:59 +0000 http://mmongon.edublogs.org/?p=288#comment-79 Thank you for the orientation. The boys are excited to start school next week. When can we expect the supplies list to be publised? Thank you for the orientation. The boys are excited to start school next week.

When can we expect the supplies list to be publised?

]]> Comment on Setting goals for the 4th marking period by Mr. Mongon http://mmongon.edublogs.org/2011/04/15/264/comment-page-1/#comment-76 Mr. Mongon Mon, 02 May 2011 21:16:21 +0000 http://mmongon.edublogs.org/?p=264#comment-76 I'm glad you found it helpful! The 5th grade year is an important one for a number of reasons, and will set the stage for a successful middle school experience. Tapping into that intrinsic motivation will be tremendously beneficial, and I agree that that's something we all share as a goal for our children and students. I’m glad you found it helpful!
The 5th grade year is an important one for a number of reasons, and will set the stage for a successful middle school experience. Tapping into that intrinsic motivation will be tremendously beneficial, and I agree that that’s something we all share as a goal for our children and students.

]]> Comment on Setting goals for the 4th marking period by RO http://mmongon.edublogs.org/2011/04/15/264/comment-page-1/#comment-75 RO Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:43:47 +0000 http://mmongon.edublogs.org/?p=264#comment-75 Good stuff! I guess sometimes as parents of a 4th grader, my focus is always on "how we are measured" and seeing tangible results, i.e: REAL GRADES NEXT YEAR. I understand that habits are formed in these stages of education (both good and bad), my ultimate goal is facilitating a process so our son "wants to" excel, and is intrinsically motivated. - all parents want that I guess:) Celebrating the little successes along the way are helpful in that process. Thanks again for such an informative post! Good stuff! I guess sometimes as parents of a 4th grader, my focus is always on “how we are measured” and seeing tangible results, i.e: REAL GRADES NEXT YEAR. I understand that habits are formed in these stages of education (both good and bad), my ultimate goal is facilitating a process so our son “wants to” excel, and is intrinsically motivated. – all parents want that I guess:)

Celebrating the little successes along the way are helpful in that process. Thanks again for such an informative post!

]]> Comment on Our celebration of reading continues… by Mr. Mongon http://mmongon.edublogs.org/2011/03/17/our-celebration-of-reading-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-74 Mr. Mongon Tue, 22 Mar 2011 20:39:10 +0000 http://mmongon.edublogs.org/?p=256#comment-74 I know what you mean, Mrs. DeLeo! Monday would have made a better pajama day than Friday did, although we had a great time anyway! With regard to your question about STARS, it will be an evening event. We'll be sending out more information as the date approaches. From what I hear, it was an amazing event last year. We're looking forward to having it again! I know what you mean, Mrs. DeLeo! Monday would have made a better pajama day than Friday did, although we had a great time anyway!
With regard to your question about STARS, it will be an evening event. We’ll be sending out more information as the date approaches. From what I hear, it was an amazing event last year. We’re looking forward to having it again!

]]> Comment on Our celebration of reading continues… by Mr. Mongon http://mmongon.edublogs.org/2011/03/17/our-celebration-of-reading-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-73 Mr. Mongon Tue, 22 Mar 2011 20:32:25 +0000 http://mmongon.edublogs.org/?p=256#comment-73 On behalf of our staff, thanks very much! Of course, this being your child's best year of learning has so much to do with all that you do at home, and everything that has built toward this year. When we're working toward the same goals at school and at home, that allows our students to take their greatest strides. You also asked a great question, and one to which there is no single, "one-size-fits-all" answer. There are a couple of factors to consider. First, let's look at the question of setting: is this reading for school or at home? Here at school, we begin giving students exposure to informational/non-fiction text in a number of settings. This can come in the form of articles, magazines (e.g. Time for Kids), or even some of the many nonfiction titles on the book carts in 4th and 5th grade, in addition to all that can be found in the library. It is an important goal to help students become independent in deriving meaning from nonfiction text. With that goal in mind, we make sure to provide opportunities for students to work with nonfiction material. Nonfiction reading is no less important at home, whether it's something that we do to teach ourselves about an area of interest, to help us keep up with world events, to help us figure out how to do something, or any of the other great benefits reading brings. However, not all students take to this type of reading readily. So, in consideration of all of that, we come to the next question: how much nonfiction reading should a child be completing at home? Again, this leads to a very individualized answer. The first goal should be to do everything possible to encourage a child to read at home (find reading material that interests them, set aside time to read together, set up a comfortable place for reading, discuss what you are reading, etc.), as virtually any reading a child does independently will help him or her grow. It sounds like you already have a child who has that love of reading, so then you can look to your child’s interests and abilities as a guide. In terms of interest, what would he like to know more about? There is some type of reading material, whether a brief article or a lengthy book, that will suit his answer to that question. This will help to preserve and build upon his love of reading. Some of the most incredible stories are those that are true, and these can be very gripping. In terms of ability, discussing what your child is reading can give you a great sense of that. If you both read the same material, and then talk about it afterward, you will come to see how much he understands. This can guide decisions as to the need for more nonfiction reading, or the need to change the level (to have it become more or less advanced, as needed). If the nonfiction reading has a negative impact on the child’s desire to read in any way, it’s okay to pull back. You can find something more to his liking, or leave the genre for a time. Again, preserving the love of reading is important, as the intrinsic desire to read will continue to serve your child well throughout life. I hope this has been helpful. Admittedly, all of this is somewhat general. You know your child better than anyone, and, if you couple that with the opportunity to speak to your child’s teacher or to me, we can always find a more specific answer that will work for your child. On behalf of our staff, thanks very much! Of course, this being your child’s best year of learning has so much to do with all that you do at home, and everything that has built toward this year. When we’re working toward the same goals at school and at home, that allows our students to take their greatest strides.
You also asked a great question, and one to which there is no single, “one-size-fits-all” answer. There are a couple of factors to consider.
First, let’s look at the question of setting: is this reading for school or at home? Here at school, we begin giving students exposure to informational/non-fiction text in a number of settings. This can come in the form of articles, magazines (e.g. Time for Kids), or even some of the many nonfiction titles on the book carts in 4th and 5th grade, in addition to all that can be found in the library. It is an important goal to help students become independent in deriving meaning from nonfiction text. With that goal in mind, we make sure to provide opportunities for students to work with nonfiction material.
Nonfiction reading is no less important at home, whether it’s something that we do to teach ourselves about an area of interest, to help us keep up with world events, to help us figure out how to do something, or any of the other great benefits reading brings. However, not all students take to this type of reading readily.
So, in consideration of all of that, we come to the next question: how much nonfiction reading should a child be completing at home? Again, this leads to a very individualized answer. The first goal should be to do everything possible to encourage a child to read at home (find reading material that interests them, set aside time to read together, set up a comfortable place for reading, discuss what you are reading, etc.), as virtually any reading a child does independently will help him or her grow. It sounds like you already have a child who has that love of reading, so then you can look to your child’s interests and abilities as a guide.
In terms of interest, what would he like to know more about? There is some type of reading material, whether a brief article or a lengthy book, that will suit his answer to that question. This will help to preserve and build upon his love of reading. Some of the most incredible stories are those that are true, and these can be very gripping.
In terms of ability, discussing what your child is reading can give you a great sense of that. If you both read the same material, and then talk about it afterward, you will come to see how much he understands. This can guide decisions as to the need for more nonfiction reading, or the need to change the level (to have it become more or less advanced, as needed). If the nonfiction reading has a negative impact on the child’s desire to read in any way, it’s okay to pull back. You can find something more to his liking, or leave the genre for a time. Again, preserving the love of reading is important, as the intrinsic desire to read will continue to serve your child well throughout life.
I hope this has been helpful. Admittedly, all of this is somewhat general. You know your child better than anyone, and, if you couple that with the opportunity to speak to your child’s teacher or to me, we can always find a more specific answer that will work for your child.

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