September 2014 Ms. Schacht and Ms. Rollings

Our Goals Instill a love of learning, wondering, and figuring out! Develop independence and self- regulation skills, while nurturing each child’s self esteem. Create happy memories Form strong school/home partnership

ABCDEF Schedule Room 207: A - Spanish B- Art C- PE D- PE, Art/Music E –Music F- Technology Room 209: A - Technology B- PE C- PE D- Music and Art E – Spanish F- Art

Absent Notes Send in folder Check Parent Portal for unexcused absences for Honor Rolls Tardies Attendance is entered by 8:40 Any tardies = no perfect attendance

Every child starts the day on green A yellow note = child received a warning, but behavior continued Red notes are VERY rare. Note home, meeting Red, yellow, and green slips may be sent home by specialist teachers

Red Folder Daily Homework, Graded Daily Homework, Tests, Communication/notes Book Baggie Just right books, Guided Reading book, Goal cards Please check & empty folders daily. What will my child bring home from school?

Homework  The red homework folder AND Book Baggie will be sent home each night.  Nightly homework (unless otherwise noted) includes: Reading for 20 minutes (Reading Log Optional) Any Guided Reading homework Math worksheet Fundations practice- Due every 1-2 weeks; Work at your own pace.  Allow students to attempt homework independently. Then, go over it with them and revise as needed.  Not meant to be challenging! Contact teacher

Reading Reader’s Workshop- Each student reads books at their independent reading level (Just Right books)  Our goal for students is not just reading the words;  Making meaning  Slowing down to become thoughtful, active readers.  Growing a love of reading  Preparing students for future academic life of interacting with many different texts.  Independent Reading, Partner Reading, Book Clubs, Guided Reading, Read Alouds

Read Aloud The National Reading Panel found that “The single most important activity for building the background knowledge required for success in reading is reading aloud to children.” This applies at home and at school. (Jim Trelease, The Read Aloud Handbook) Benefits: Equates reading with pleasure Expands vocabulary Strengthens reading comprehension Models fluent reading Exposes students to a variety of subjects and genres that helps build literary knowledge. Instills identity of a reader in a child

Small Group Reading Instruction Guided Reading Groups Approx 3 x a week Your child is given books at a level higher than the one they can read by themselves Meant to bump kids up to more complex texts Strategy Groups Your child uses just right books to practice reading strategies. (e.g. Think about how the character is feeling.) Meant to help kids go deeper

Phonics/spelling program. Focus is to learn word patterns- not memorize. Packet sent home at start of unit. Due by date on packet (2-3 weeks). DO memorize how to spell Trick Words!

Everyday Math – spiral curriculum, conceptual knowledge Family letters are a great source of Info. HomeLink - homework page Enrichment packet for a challenge on Web page Grades - Worksheets, Unit Test, Open Response

Writer’s Workshop  Daily writing time, minutes  Units- narrative, informational, opinion, poetry.  Revising & editing = important parts of the writing process  Some invented spelling is encouraged. Fundations words are expected to be spelled correctly.  Writing Celebrations at the end of each unit

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Science & Social Studies alternate each quarter Field Trips! Occasional homework for thematic unit- watch newsletter & family letters.

Family Involvement!  Room Parents: 207-Kristin Gross 209 – Veronica Janus  Math Explorations on Fridays  Mystery Readers Fridays  Field Trip Chaperones  Guest Speakers  Home-Links  Pop in and disassemble workbooks for our daily Math homework.  Celebrations! Writing Celebrations Culminating Activities

Weekly e-newsletters Class Web page

Letter Grades A=A year or more above grade level B= Slightly above grade level C=At grade level D= Below grade level (You will know!) Parent Portal for assignment breakdown Progress Reports at mid-quarter Report Cards at end of quarter

Birthdays! On your child’s birthday, a family member is welcome to come in and read a book to the class to celebrate. No food treats, please Birthday Party Invitation Policy Invitations can be passed out at school ONLY when a whole class is invited (or all girls/all boys). Small group invitations should distributed outside of school.

- to schedule an appointment: - or - No drop-ins before or after school (dismissal)