Back-to-School September 13, 2018 Dr. Aaron Martini

My Educational Philosophy Students need to feel safe in their learning environment All students come to school with intelligence and knowledge Learning is socially constructed between teachers and students, (both teach and learn) Students must feel valued throughout the learning process It is my job to promote a student’s belief in herself/himself as a problem solver and critical thinker In turn I promote self-motivation

Language Arts Readers’ Workshop Independent Reading Practice Adult-directed leveled reading groups. Responding to fiction stories and informational texts in writing. Extra opportunities to practice grammar, vocabulary, spelling. Independently reading self- selected books to practice reading strategies. Reading Levels Chart

Language Arts Writers’ Workshop Grammar Student-paced writing Lessons focused on: mechanics, conventions and writing traits Themes: narratives, informational writing, opinion pieces, and reports Grammar Project Read Words Their Way Word Rings

Language Arts Phonics & Spelling Letter Sounds Letter Blends Spelling Reading Words Writing Words Spelling Introduced on Monday Tested on Friday 10 phonics-based words & 2 frequently misspelled words Students study words at home throughout the week. Starting mid-October, optional pretest to take Challenge Word spelling test. High Frequency Words Sight words or Dolch Words Word Ring and Word Wall 3—4 new words a week

Math: Number Corner Interactive Daily Calendar Daily routines provide opportunities to practice arithmetic, place value, money, time, measuring, sorting, patterning, and geometry throughout the year. High student engagement and involvement Emphasis on finding patterns in math and supporting thinking with visual models

Math: Bridges in Mathematics Whole Group Lessons: Direct Instruction where students practice math concepts through discussion and active use of math manipulatives. Work Places: Independent practice time when students work alone or with a partner on math games and problems at their own pace.

Math: Example of Differentiation in Bridges Unit 2 Story Problems Differentiation in Action What kinds of math do students use? Addition Subtraction Missing Addends Multiple Addition (multiplication) How will students record their mathematical thinking? Pictures Words Equations What kind of story problem will this inspire students to create on their own?

Math: Supporting all Learners Helping Struggling and Advanced Mathematicians: One-on-one or partner games to re-teach concepts Math partners of similar ability Exemplars® Math activities Small group extension activities Higher level questioning strategies EVERYDAY!

Math Options Math Champ Challenge Designed by Cathy Fillmore Hoyt 2014 Teaches Problem Solving Math Problem vs. Math Exercise Involves collaborative effort @home or @school Combat “learned helplessness”: Understand the problem Plan how to solve the problem Carry out the plan Look back

Math Options IXL.com Math Activities 2 skills assigned each week Questions get harder as questions are answered correctly. Results are e-mailed to me. Students are welcome to review ALL Kindergarten skills on their own. Please set a 30 min. limit per skill if your student struggles with the concept.

Math Options www.aaamath.com Students navigate: Set up “drill” games Scored (“Report Totals”)

Thematic Studies Science Social Studies Art Enrichment Fall: Bugs Winter: Pebbles, Sand & Silt Spring: Balls & Ramps Art Enrichment Music with Ms. Kim Artist in Residence VTS discussions Auction Art Project Social Studies Family Community Traditions & Cultures Geography American symbols

Homework Goes home on Monday. Returned to school by Friday (Thursdays when no school on Friday). Begins Sept. 17, 2018. Completed with a family member or done independently. Check to see if it’s your student’s best work. Use a pencil for neatest work. Take advantage of the chance for one-on-one instruction with your child. Homework Components: Phonics Worksheet Reading Response IXL.com Math Problems Enrichment Activity Supplemental Homework: Available on classroom website starting 10/01. All components are optional. Adv. Reading Response & Math extension.

Homework Options: Reading Response Dr. Seuss Go Dog, Go! Students respond to one night’s reading. Great practice for: handwriting complete sentences punctuation spelling grammar. Please use colored pencils or crayons on the illustration. The book is about a lot of dogs. Some of the dogs do crazy things. The end of the book made me laugh. All the dogs went in a tree for a dog party!

Homework Options: Sunshine Math Second Grade Math Problems Problem-solving option Reviews multiple skills

It’s going to be a great year!