Curriculum Night 2011! WELCOME!

Our Agenda  Daily Schedule  Parent Conferences  Curriculum Night Packet  Behavior Plan  Homework  Assessments  Communication  Parent Involvement  Parent Conferences

Daily Schedule Announcements Saxon Phonics Reading Block/Snack IE2 Time Specials Writing/Grammar Lunch/Recess Math Science/Social Studies

Phonics Saxon Phonics  A systematic approach which enables the students to become successful readers and spellers by building a solid foundation in phonics.  Students will be given spelling tests over letters and sounds that were previously taught as well as sight words.  Phonics survival guide on website.

Reading  Harcourt Trophies ~ builds reading strategies, expands vocabulary, aids in comprehension, and promotes language arts skills. Presented in textbooks.  Guided Reading ~ small group, leveled reading, promotes reading fluency, aids in comprehension. Presented in fiction and non-fiction books.  RAZ-Kids

Special Classes  Monday – Art with Mrs. Carr  Tuesday – PE with Coach McGowan and Coach Duncan  Wednesday – Think Lab with Ms. Cable, Ms. Aurisch, and Ms. Knatt  Thursday – Music with Ms. Hackney  Friday – PE with Coach McGowan and Coach Duncan

Writing and Grammar  Writing Workshop: Independent writing that includes a mini-conference with each child weekly. Focus will be on complete sentences, spacing, letter formation, and capitalization/punctuation.  Writing Center: Make books, write notes, make lists, write puppet shows, etc.  Grammar: Includes nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, proper nouns, capitalization, punctuation, and contractions.

Math Math Frameworks  Created by Georgia Dept. of Education.  Based on Georgia Performance Standards.  Hands on approach to learning.  Promotes a higher level of thinking and questioning. Guided Math Centers Small group centers and lessons based on your child’s level of math skills.

Social Studies  Our Earth, Our Home  American Folktales  Ben Franklin  Thomas Jefferson  Lewis & Clark and Sacagawea  Harriet Tubman  George Washington Carver  Theodore Roosevelt  Personal Finance

Science  Animals/Plants  Magnetism  Sound, Light, & Shadows  Weather  Characteristics of Water  Scientific Method  Science Lab ~ New at Big Creek!

Health  Fire and Tornado Safety – Reporting Emergencies  Drugs and Poisons  Nutrition/Dental Health/Personal Hygiene  Bicycle, Traffic, and Passenger Safety  Health Standards will be presented by Coach Duncan during PE

Behavior Plan  “Warm Fuzzies” – given for appropriate individual behavior. Must earn 5 to go to the treasure box.  “Behavior Bucks” – given for appropriate whole class behavior. Must earn $5 for designated activity.  Traffic light – Clips are moved for inappropriate behavior after a warning is given. **No clips moved= good day, green smile in folder **Clip moved to green = pretty good day, green smile in folder. **Clip moved to yellow = having difficult day following the class rules. Note home, code yellow in folder. **Clip moved to red = repeatedly not following rules. Phone call home, code red in folder.

Homework  Homework is sent home in the green homework folder.  Homework should only take a short time.  Homework should be returned the next day.  Homework may include phonics, math, and occasional projects.

Assessments  Standards Based Grading and Reporting  Academics are graded on 3, 2, 1 scale  Behaviour is graded on S, P, N scale  Homework

Parent/Teacher Communication  Weekly newsletter  Daily folders  Phone calls  Notes home  (best way to reach me)

Parent Involvement  P.T.A.  Room Moms ‏  Sunshine Math Parent  Math/LA Center Helper  Mystery Reader  Classroom Activities As Needed  Donating recyclables (magazines, newspaper, etc.)  Media Center

Parent Conferences  20 minutes each  Fall – the week of Oct. 17  Spring  Will discuss the report card and any additional questions/concerns  Sign-Up before you leave!

Let’s Have a Great Year!