Welcome to our 1st , 2nd, and 3rd Grade Montessori Classroom!!! From, Mrs. Baronich, and Ms. Crayton 2015-2016 The Dufrocq School

The Dufrocq School Mission Statement The Dufrocq School's Mission is to provide an academically challenging curriculum that nurtures a genuine love for learning and encourages individual ingenuity.  Our goal is to cultivate minds, develop character and prepare our students to succeed in the real world around them. Vision All students will succeed academically.

Ms. Baronich I am a “Yankee” transplant  I am originally from LaCrosse, WI but grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicagoland area. Hurricane Katrina brought me to Louisiana in 2005. I am a graduate of Louisiana State University. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education; followed by my Master’s degree in Teaching. I take pride in teaching your children. I am THRILLED to be a part of the Montessori program. New to Montessori but not the Dufrocq family. I have experiences in both the traditional and magnet programs here. In Paris with Flat Stanley 2013! Awarded a grant by Fund for Teachers to travel to France and Spain gathering artifacts and information related to Louisiana history for the 3rd grade social studies curriculum!

We Read Accelerated Reader Books. The students read AR books as soon as they arrive from breakfast.

Morning Journal The students build vocabulary, practice math, and sharpen their writing skills every morning.

Montessori Education The students are provided a weekly work plan and are able to make leadership decisions as they accomplish their activities.

Montessori Education Part II The students assist each other in this learning community. They learn from the older students. They are provided hands on Montessori activities to foster independent thinking.

We have fun and make friends!

School Rules Classroom Understandings Be Respectful Be Responsible Be Safe We will respect ourselves, and others. I will choose work that I have had a lesson on. I will bring my work to my space, record it, and finish it. I will put materials back where I found them. I will respect other’s work. I may not destroy property. I used my whisper working voice so as not to disturb others.

Rewards/Consequences Verbal reminder- name on the board 2nd reminder- check next to name and 5 min of their recess to think about choice they have made 3rd reminder-check next to their name and 10 min of their recess 4th reminder- Third check which means no Fun Friday that week  Checks can be REDEEMED!! We all have a bad day now and then! Positive choices to correct poor decisions will be recognized and rewarded by removing checks from their names.

Work Plans and Student Work Work plans are given out every Monday with a daily description of work that needs to be completed. Work plans vary by grade level Students may choose the order of how they wish to complete their work, but DOING work is NON-NEGOTIABLE! Most of your child’s work will be done in a their Classwork composition book. After your child completes work from their work plan it is check by either myself or Ms. Crayton. If it is not recorded, then it is considered not done! The Classwork composition book along with the weekly work plan will be sent home every Friday. Please review your child’s work with them. Send both the work plan and classwork composition book back with signatures on Monday!

Homework Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday. Our goal is two-fold. Reinforce what we are learning in class as well as develop responsibility and good work habits for the future! Please encourage your child to turn in homework that is done to the best of their ability! I appreciate your patience with computer programs as passwords are still coming in!

Newsbook What is it? What should I do with it?

Fun Friday!!

Questions Show and Tell! Boys and girls, please feel free to show your parents a new material that you have been working with that you think they may enjoy learning about and watching you do!