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Beginning of Fourth Six Weeks
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Students and Parents,
We are getting close to spring break  and the STAAR test. Although the excitement and energy is in the air because of the longer days and warmer temperatures, we still have a lot of work in honing and developing mathematics skills. The homework load has increased and the students have done a great job working independently and responsibly towards reviewing old skills. Please remember, I am at school at 7:30 for tutorials every morning and I can make arrangements to meet after school for additional tutoring.
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End of 2nd six weeks and into the holidays
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Hello Parents and Students,
As you know, we have just finished the 2nd six weeks of school. The students have shown tremendous growth and I am so proud of each one. We completed our first Measure of Academic Progress, which is a district wide assessment that all 7th grade math students take. My students, your children, did very well. The grades are posted under MAPS 1 in parent portal. We are still working on percents, fractions, and decimals as well as multiplying and dividing by them. I have seen a lot of improvement recently. The students are in the midst of learning proportions which includes unit rates, similar figures, and scale drawings. Any real-life examples you come upon to share with your child will be greatly appreciated and helpful.
As we enter the 3rd six weeks and the last six weeks of this semester, your child will be preparing for a new experience in middle school... the semester final. Most students who are in elementary school through six grade have winter parties the last day before the long holiday break. In secondary education, the students have 2-3 days of testing in every class. This is quite a shock for 7th graders. Please be aware of the extra time needed for finishing up school projects, homework, and studying for final exams before the semester.
For the second semester I am requesting a new list of supplies to help your child become more successful in math. I will officailly send home the list with your child with the attached incentive to bring it back with a parent signature for a replacement grade for a missing assignment.
Please keep in contact if there are concerns or issues we can work out together. Thank you so much for the opportunity to teach and get to know your child. My students this year are truly inspirational.
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Change in late work procedures.
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During this first six weeks, the students and I have been getting to know each other, the routines and procedures, as well as,expectations for middle school students. As the next grading period progresses, the goal for all my students is to have no missing or late assignments. It is my hope that each student will develop a sense of responsibility and acquire efficient work habits needed for the challenging work force that lies ahead. However,I cannot do this alone. I need your help and support in your child's mathematics schooling. Homework is like a window in which you can see what your child is learning in math. It is with you as partners in your child's education that we can help them acquire skills they will need for a successful future. For the most part, homework is given out to reinforce what the child learns at school, to instill good work habits and to encourage independent study so that it lays the groundwork for lifelong learning. Starting at the beginning of the second six weeks, if your student finds it necessary to turn in a homework assignment late, I will ask the student to come in either before or after school to grade the assignment with me. When homework is not finished by the due date, then the student misses an important learning activity by grading and getting immediate feedback and instruction on missed problems. Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns.
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Three weeks into the school year
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We are well under way and things are taking shape. With higher expectations for middle school, some of the 7th grade math students are settling in and getting the hang of the new year. Some are experiencing growth pains and trying to figure out how to meet the new expectations. Four minute passing periods, lockers and combinations, eight classes a day with six different teachers are just a few of the new changes for your child. In math, completing homework and bringing the work back completed the next day seems to be a challenge for some of my students. I think organization is the key to help solve this issue. I encourage and remind students to write in his or her agenda any math homework they need to complete. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. With our first test behind us, the students now have an idea of the expectation and rigor of the assessments the math curriculum demands. If your child was not as successful on the exam as she or he would have liked, then I hope they use this as a learning experience to better study skills and test taking strategies. We will continue to work on strategies in class and your child may need your support and encouragement at home to promote good study habits. Most young children do not instinctively know how to study. Successful study skilsl are developed at school and at home. thank you so much for help and support in this area of your child's education.
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Before and After School Tutoring Times:
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Before School (7:30 - 8:00) After School (4:00 - 4:30) Other appointsments can be made individually. Please encourage your child to come to tutorials with specific questions regarding which area they need help. I find this activity of the student forming his or her questions helps to focus the student on what he or she already knows and what is confusing. Many times students come in with general statements like, "I don't understand any of it" or "It is all confusing" or "I don't know what to do." If they take a moment to think about what they DO know, it helps to bring focus to the area of need, as well as help their self esteem. 
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Leslie Fenton
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-- Hello, I teach 7th grade math at Tison Middle School in Weatherford Independent School District. I graduated from Tarleton State University in 2010. I am certified by the state of Texas to teach Math 4-8th grade and Early Childhood - 6th grade any subject. I also have English as a Second Language endorsement. Teaching is a second career for me. I worked as an interpreter for the hearing impaired for 15 years in the Crowley Independent School District. In 2006, I went back to school to work on a degree and certification to teach. I am thrilled to be in Weatherford ISD and especially at Tison Middle School. My husband of 8 years and I live in the Weatherford area and we have three sons. Two of our sons are also teachers and the youngest is a high school student. We have two cats and a dog and love riding bikes.
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