Welcome Families! Norman Borlaug Curriculum Night 2016-2017

“Have fun and learn something new!” Welcome to Kindergarten! Team 1 “Have fun and learn something new!”

Our Team Teachers Ian MacKay mackay.ian@iowacityschools.org Meghan Meyer meyer.meghan@iowacityschools.org Emily Ring ring.emily@iowacityschools.org Paraprofessionals Students and families!

Mary Gauthier School Secretary Celeste Shoppa Principal Office hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Phone number is 688-1155. Voice mail is available 24 hours a day. E-mail addresses: shoppa.celeste@iccsd.k12.ia.us gauthier.mary@iccsd.k12.ia.us Mary Gauthier School Secretary

Important Start/End Times 7:30 Breakfast 7:40 Supervision begins outside 7:50 School begins 7:55 Tardy bell rings 2:55 School Ends, (1:55 on Thursdays) Please report all absences to the office.

A Typical Day Opening Whole Group Reading Small Group Reading Specials (P.E., Music, Library, Art) Writing Recess Whole Group Math Lunch – 30 minutes Rest Small Group Math Recess Snack Social Studies/Science Closing

* Celebration of Learning Specials Schedule Specials Days Other Information P.E. 2 days a week for 27 minutes * Bring tennis shoes! MUSIC 3 days a week for 27 minutes * Celebration of Learning ‘ ART 1 day a week for 54 minutes LIBRARY * May check out 1-2 books.

Reading and Writing Our Curriculum Iowa Common Core on ICCSD website Our Materials Houghton Mifflin Leveled Texts Supplemental materials Zaner-Bloser Our Assessments: FAST ELA DRA2 Running Records District Writing Assessment Formative Assessments Curriculum – State Standards found online at link above. We use “I can” statements so students know the objectives of the lessons. Materials – Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is an updated series that focuses on all important elements of literacy. The series has many built in differentiation options to help meet the needs of all learners. Leveled Texts – we use these in small group reading to help all students access grade level strategies and skills. Supplemental materials- extra materials provide us the opportunity to extend for students who need a challenge and support those that need more instruction in certain areas. Zaner-Bloser is our handwriting program. Assessments –We use many different kinds of assessments to give us information about each child so that we meet them where they are and move them forward. DIBELS, a screener we give 3 times per year that is used to predict grade level success in reading. DRA 2- a diagnostic assessment used to find strengths and areas of opportunity, 2-3 times per year. Running records are used an a weekly, bi-weekly basis to monitor students strategies, accuracy, text level etc. District Writing assessment is given 2 times per year to look at students abilities in certain writing genres. Formative assessments are used in reading and writing on a frequent basis to help teachers know how to help students move forward toward grade level expectations.

Reading and Writing Reading Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension Whole Group Small Group Writing Teaching the Craft and Process Whole Group Small Group Handwriting

Reading and Writing

Math Our Curriculum Iowa Common Core on ICCSD website Our Materials Pearson Envisions Our Assessments: Unit Assessments Formative Assessments ICCSD Kindergarten Math Assessment Curriculum- Found at the link above Materials –Every Day Math Assessments –Pre and post unit assessments help us determine what students already know and what they need to learn. Formative assessments are done daily by looking at math boxes in daily work, exit slips etc.

Math Units of study: Recognizing Numbers Comparing Numbers Classifying/Counting Data Composing/Decomposing Numbers Addition and Subtraction Shapes Large group and small groups This math program introduces concepts, routines, games, etc. at developmentally appropriate levels and then continues to reintroduce those concepts at more sophisticated levels as students progress through the grades. The units we study are… Large and small groups allow us to teach concepts to the class and then pull small groups to work on reteaching, review, and extensions. This variety enables us to provide what each student needs, right at their level.

Math This math program introduces concepts, routines, games, etc. at developmentally appropriate levels and then continues to reintroduce those concepts at more sophisticated levels as students progress through the grades. The units we study are… Large and small groups allow us to teach concepts to the class and then pull small groups to work on reteaching, review, and extensions. This variety inables us to provide what each student needs, right at their level.

Science Units of Study Trees and Weather Animals 2x2 Materials and Motion Our Materials FOSS Science Kits

Social Studies Health Focus Self and Family Getting Along with Others How to Solve Problems Being a Good Helper Neighborhoods/Our World Focus Five Senses Health Helpers Healthy Food/Exercise Staying Safe – bikes, medicines, safe touches Our Materials Social Studies Alive Our Materials McGraw-Hill Health and Wellness

Birthday and Celebrations Kindergarten Birthday Celebrations No food celebrations Kindergarten acknowledges birthdays with a birthday crown, birthday song, and birthday video clip. Holiday Celebrations If food is served at class holiday parties, food items must adhere to the District Wellness Policy 507.9 Food items are limited to the approved Healthy Food Guidelines

Home Work Expectations Students will return homework to their teacher by the end of the week. Students will spend 10-15 minutes reading or listening to reading each day. Encourage students to check out “Bulldog Books” daily. Parents will explain the homework directions to their children. Parents will support children while completing homework.

Home - School Connections Borlaug Website - Classroom Webpage - Calendars - Virtual Backpack Email and phone http://www.edline.net/pages/Borlaug_Elementary_School

Conferences Two formal conferences: fall & spring Reports will come home on the Monday before your conference. Read the report thoroughly and record any questions you may have. Bring the report and questions with you to your conference. During the conference: data and conversation!

Helping at Home Read with students each night. Assist with your child’s homework. Talk to your child about their school day. Contact your child’s teacher when you have any questions or comments. Read newsletters for important school and classroom information. Attend school events.

Volunteer Opportunities Helping at Borlaug: Volunteer Opportunities Email us to make arrangements! - Making copies - Creating hallway displays - Reading with students - Working with students using teacher prepared activities

P.B.I.S. at Borlaug Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Facts: Common language and expectations Positive reinforcements School-wide celebrations Weekly student recognition

Borlaug Staff School Counselor: Jaime Schneiter Classroom counseling lessons Individual or small group meetings Resource for families

Borlaug Staff Instructional Design Strategist: Amy Hartje Consults with and supports teachers to enhance classroom instruction Plans and leads staff professional development

Borlaug Staff Student and Family Advocate: Megan Recker Acting as member of learning supports team School supplies and other basic needs Connecting families to community resources Supporting your family and child’s goals typo

Borlaug Staff English Language Learners: Speech and Language: Abbie Jensen Jordan Pata Speech and Language: Kassie Adams, GWAEA Extended Learning Program: Jodie Eilers Special Education Services: Jenny Whitters

Questions

learning with you this year! Thank you! We look forward to learning with you this year!