Instructional Resources/Materials
Teachers at DCMS use a wide variety of instructional materials to educate students. Listed below are resources/materials along with instructions for parental access.
Textbooks/Novels
Most classroom have textbooks that correlate to the course. The use of the textbook is decided by the teacher, and it is common for some teachers to use textbooks more than others. All math textbooks are now considered consumable. Because they are made like a workbook, students can write in them and tear out pages. Teachers decide if textbooks are allowed to come home or not. If a teacher has a textbook policy that requires books to stay in the classroom, then parents have access to topic information by request. Some of our ELA classes use novels. Students have the option to either buy or check-out the novel from their ELA teacher.
Worksheets/Tests
Any worksheet or test completed in class will be used by the teacher in some manner to check student skill mastery. These materials may or may not be sent home. If student work is kept in the classroom, parents can obtain access to it by request.
Study Island
Study Island is used in many classrooms at DCMS. Furthermore, it is a great tool for students and parents regardless of its use in the classroom. Each student has a login and can access the same information from any computer. There are materials for all four subjects on the website. Lessons and practice questions for each standard are available on Study Island. Some teachers require students to obtain Study Island Blue Ribbons for a grade each nine weeks.
IXL
IXL is another website used in many classrooms. Again, students have their own logins and passwords for this site. IXL provides excellent practice across all grade levels in the four subject areas. There are hints and explanations available to students while they are working on a skill. Some teachers use IXL for a grade each nine weeks.
Accelerated Reader
Students may check out books from our library and take Accelerated Reader (A.R.) tests on them. The tests are taken online and students must have a login to test. Parents do not have access to the tests, but can see the books that their students are reading.
Helpful Websites
- Study Island - As mentioned above, Study Island is a great website for help and extra practice on any subject. (www.studyisland.com)
- Khan Academy - Videos, tutorials, and practice problems on Math and Science. (www.khanacademy.org)
- IXL - Extra practice for all grades of Math & ELA and up to 8th grade of Science & Social Studies (www.ixl.com)
- Internet 4 Classrooms - Standards, online practice, and printable worksheets for grades PreK - 12 (www.internet4classrooms.com)