Welcome to Back To School Introduction My Philosophy Curriculum Classroom Management Organization Communication

Heather Cowan Always wanted to be a teacher! Graduated from OSU with Elementary Ed. Degree Working towards Masters in Library Science and another in Administration Dual Certification Taught 4th in Perry, OK before SE 3rd year at Southeast Passionate about teaching and learning Enjoy having fun, playing with students I am strict but fair and that doesn’t always mean equal Create a stimulating, comforting, and welcoming environment

Teacher Goals Support and Nurture Develop Talents Meet Individual Needs Integrate Learning Styles Connect Curriculum to the Real-World Challenge and/or Restructure Stay Connected to Home

Student Goals Develop a Love of Learning Become Independent Be Responsible Be Compassionate Be Resourceful and Flexible Gain Knowledge in Variety of Areas

Group Interaction Class Structures: Simultaneous Interaction Individual Accountability Whole Group Activities Equal Participation

Active participation

Differentiated Instruction There are all levels of ability in this class. Our third grade classroom includes a cluster of identified gifted students. Identified students attend gifted lab twice weekly with our gifted coordinator, Mrs. Hodge. Our school’s philosophy is to meet the varying needs of all students. I have attended and taught differentiated teacher training, and will continue to attend many training sessions on differentiated instruction. In our class, I determine the readiness of students and vary assignments to move students forward from their own point of readiness. Students need to master foundational concepts before tackling more complex issues. Therefore, sometimes different students will be doing different assignments.

Curriculum Where does it come from?

Comprehension Toolkit Reading Comprehension Toolkit *Reading as Thinking (metacognition) *Time for shared reading, guided reading, independent reading, and collaborative discussion and sharing * One-on-one conferences (CAFÉ menu) *Variety of genres * Students pick “just right” text to meet their individual needs THINKING STRATEGIES Monitor comprehension Activate & connect Question Infer meaning Determine importance Summarize & synthesize

Language Arts Cursive (Zaner Bloser Text) Word Study/Spelling Pre-assessment determines needs Words organized by patterns and/or developmental spelling features Weekly spelling dictation and test Addition of other words (misspelled words in context, 500 frequently misspelled words, content words from core subjects) Language Skills

Writing Process of writing Forms of writing Prewriting, drafting, editing/revising, publishing Forms of writing Communicating through writing Journal writing, personal narratives, poetry, story writing, expository writing, compositions, letter writing, persuasive writing, opinion writing

Writing Traits Ideas/Topics Organization/ Logical Order Voice Interesting Word Choice Sentence Fluency Varied Structures

EVERY DAY MATH Content Strands: Themes Woven Throughout Each Strand: Numeration Operations & Computation Data & Chance Geometry Measurement & Reference Frames Patterns, Functions & Algebra Themes Woven Throughout Each Strand: Algorithmic and procedural thinking Estimation skills and number sense Mental arithmetic skills and reflexes Problem solving

Every Day Math Problem Solving Critical Thinking Talking about math Skill practice through routines and games Topics revisited in EM Games http://www.everydaymathonline.com True to life application opportunities! Pre/Post Unit Tests

Science and Health Science: Students make their own discoveries. Knowledge is actively constructed by the learner. Hands-on experimental environment. Units of study: Sound Plant Growth and Development Rocks and Minerals Health: Harcourt Your Health Focus Areas: Safety, Healthy Habits, Decision-Making Skills, Interpersonal Skills

Social Studies Integrated Units of Study: Global Communities Communities Across the United States Local Community Economics Map and Globe Skills US Government

World Language Emphasis on the Spanish Language Integrated into the curriculum Quality video series to support classroom instruction Develops awareness Appreciation of other cultures Cultural comparisons—similarities and differences

Technology Integrated into the daily routine of the classroom through: Smart Board Delivery of Lessons Keyboarding Research Publishing Presentations Laptops Computer Lab Listening Lab

Classroom Management Tribes Four Agreements Mystery Motivator Touchdown Chart Marble Jar High Expectations

Organization Yellow Folder--Homework/Agenda Reading Minutes in Agenda and Yellow Folder Binder Cubbies Monday Papers

How to be in the know! Yellow folder!! Monday papers EMPTY and return every morning Monday newsletter delivered by email and on web site Agenda notes Projects linked on web site E-mail me…

More Information…. Let’s take a look at the packet online…… http://www.jenksps.org Sign-ups before leaving: Picture taker/Video maker Fall Conferences Reading Minutes Science Set-up Last Minute Items Various Classroom Activities

Thank you! There is no greater joy, nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life. Sister Rose McGready

A Pat on the Back… Please use the hand cut-out on your child’s desk to leave them a “pat on the back” for him/her to see first thing tomorrow morning. Also…you may wish to respond to your child’s letter to you. 

Homeroom Moms