Mr. Christie’s Resource Room Back to School Night Mr. Christie’s Resource Room Featuring Para-professionals: Mrs. Stephanie Weiss Mrs. Mary Robinson Talk about yourself. Discuss how even though it is a special ed room I view it as enrichment class.

Introduction Welcome to Back to School Night at Dickerson School! This presentation will cover general information about the various teaching tools, curriculum and topics that will be utilized throughout the year Please contact me with any questions Email: john.christie@chester-nj.org

Motivation “The Key to Learning” Your children will be a part of a classroom motivation system based on a token economy system. Students will earn stickers throughout the week for positive behaviors and accomplishments. When they earn 20 stickers they will earn a prize. Goals will be set and adjusted throughout the year based on student motivation. **Individual motivation systems will be utilized when needed.

Language Arts We will be utilizing a balanced approach to teaching literacy utilizing a combination of various techniques based on individual needs. Curriculum The “Super Kids” reading program by: Rowland Reading foundation and Zaner-Bloser The “Edmark Sight Word Program” Wilson Fundations Reading Program Guided Reading, Shared Reading, and Read alouds (same as Gen. Ed) Writing: Fundamentals (same as Gen. Ed) Leveled Readers (same as Gen. Ed) Starfall and other educational websites Story hand out, show super kids online components,

Donald Crews Author Study: Narrative Kindergarten Writing How Writers Work: Launching Unit Establishes routines for the workshop model, view mentor texts and see that authors use experiences from their lives as a basis for writing. Donald Crews Author Study: Narrative An author study is a great way for students to begin to see authors as real people    whose writing styles and strategies can be emulated.  Donald Crew is perfect for K as is both an author and illustrator.  He makes students believe the best stories come from what we know and feel. Show the writing folder, work will be sent home after each unit, allowing students an opportunity to select works for revisiong, editing and publishing eg. Making a cover

Kindergarten Writing continued… List and Label Books: Informational/Explanatory List and label books show the youngest writers that there are published books that are similar to what they can write. The structure of these books allow them to model with confidence. FUNctional writing: Opinion Unit This units celebrates many different types of writing from our daily lives, such as letters and cards, lists and recipes, maps and signs, invitations and thank you notes. www.schoolwide.com- resource for Writing Fundamentals Danielle.Meekings@chester-nj.org-K-5 Literacy Coach, Dickerson/Bragg Schools

Mathematics Math goals, teaching techniques, and curriculum are based on individual student goals and learning styles. Some of the curriculum utilized include: Pearson “EnVision Math 2.0” Strategy building Semple Dots Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills Natural environment learning situations Exploring various strategies to find the ones that our students can be most successful with going forward.

Semple Dots system for adding addition and subtraction 3 1 2 4 5 7 8 9 10 6 ex. 5 + 3 = Semple Dots system for adding addition and subtraction

Math Topics 1: Numbers 0-5 2: Compare Numbers 0-5 3: Numbers 6-10 5: Classify and Count Data 6: Understand Addition 7: Understand Subtraction 8: More Addition and Subtraction

Math Topics 9: Count Numbers to 20 10: Compose and Decompose Numbers 11-19 11: Count numbers to 100 12: Identify and Describe Shapes 13: Analyze, Compare, and Create Shapes 14: Describe and Compare Measureable Attributes

Math Detectives Theme Problem solving Utilization of math tools and strategies Motivation

Homework Shared Reading stories and guided reading books will be sent home for practice Optional math homework worksheets will be sent home. Stickers for the students motivation charts will be given for completed homework returned to school.

Assessment Beginning and end of year cumulative assessments Curriculum based topic assessments Guided Reading assessments

Communication Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns that you may have throughout the school year. Email: john.christie@chester-nj.org Phone: 908-879-5313 website