1. Open House 2016 - 2017 Welcome Parents and Students!

2. Your Math and Science teacher My name is Melinda Rodriguez I have a masters as a Reading Specialist, but I love math. I taught at North for 9 years. The last 4 as the fifth grade reading and writing teacher. I will be helping with the writing during our Flex time. We will also use the flex time to help prepare for the PSSA. I not only love math, but Hockey and Elvis. Go Pens!! Above all I love children. I am not a teacher for the hours or the money. I believe I can help children succeed and enjoy school.

3. The new series – Math Expressions We have a new math series this year, but I believe math is math. There will be some new ways to do math, but I will also be teaching the way I know how to do math. I have volunteered to tutor math this year. All of your student’s books are online. Your child knows how to get to Launchpad to access these books, quizzes, videos, and games. We use First in Math which is an online enrichment activity. There are awards for this at the end of the year. The top 3 students will earn medals and the top 10 students will receive bracelets. I will also be trying Math 24 in fifth grade. All students can play and we will have a class competition at the end of the year.

4. Launchpad Launchpad is the virtual desktop that every teacher and student in the district has access to. I use this daily and with every class I teach. Your child knows their passwords, but here is a list for you. Pearson is site for their Science and Social Studies books. I have put on quizzes, games, and videos. Thinkcentral is their math book. I have put quizzes, games, and tutorials on it for your student. Khan Academy is on their desktop for you. If you need help with something, simply type is what you want and it will teach it to you. I know how frustrating it is not being able to help your child. I hope this helps us help them.

5. Science I think science it very interesting. I am excited to teach it this year. We have two hands on science kits that I can’t wait to get into. I know some of what they do as I was a fifth grade teacher at North. We will have a science fair this year. I am very excited to be part of this wonderful activity. I know your students are going to wow us with their fabulous ideas. I also think Pearson is a great book and site for science. The videos are short and sweet and the games are interesting and useful. We will raise Brook Trout and release them at Mingo Park. We have small robots (like at hospitals that deliver meds - I believe) this year and telescopes. I am sure we will put both to good and interesting uses.

6. Homework I am extremely excited to not assign massive homework this year. Your student needs to practice the skills taught in class, but homework should not take longer than 20 – 30 minutes. If they are really confused please stop. Send in a note and I will help them in class. Homework should not be extremely difficult as it is practice of something they learned in school. I give homework Monday - Thursday. If you want extra work for you child please go online and access Thinkcentral or Pearson. I have the students fill out their planners on Monday with all the homework for the week. This way everyone knows what is expected of them and can budget their time so they are always prepared.

7. Assessments I don’t have a timeline for tests as it depends on the attainment of the students. I will give small quizzes every few lessons to make sure everyone is understanding the skills. I will usually give tests at the end of a unit. If your child wants to retake a test they can, but they have to tell me they want to retake something. They also need to practice before retaking something. I will not make students retake a D or C. If they fail a test, I will send it home to be signed and returned. They will not have recess until I get the signed test. I don’t want you to be surprised that your child is having difficulty or by a poor report card grade. Failure is not an option. It is my job to teach your child and I will do everything I can to make your child successful.

8. Recess and Mingo I believe children should get as much exercise as possible. We will go outside as much as possible. I do NOT want children missing recess. If we are trapped in doors I will try to use the gym, computer lab, or laptops. I will also teach chess to anyone who wants to learn it. If the weather is above 40 degrees I will be going outside unless told otherwise. Please make sure your child is dressed for the outdoors when the cold weather gets here. I may even take them out for a snow day. On Trout Release Day please send a jacket with your child. It has been cold and rainy every time I have gone to Mingo for this event.

9. Snacks School is hard. Students need to be here and pay attention. To help make their day a little better please send snacks with your child. Snacks should be healthy such as cereal, fruit, yogurt, graham crackers, etc. We have sink in back if you send something like fruit in a container. Snack shouldn’t be messy or disruptive to the rest of the class. I will give snacks often, but not everyday, twice a day to 42 children. Snacks not only make the day better, but they help keep children focused on what we are doing, not about how hungry they are. They also might not come home and ask what’s for dinner as soon as they walk through the door.

10. Closing I am an intelligent woman. I could have been anything I wanted to be. I chose to be a teacher. I could have worked with any age student as I am a reading specialist K – 12. I chose to work with elementary students. I am not here to make your child’s life terrible. I am here to make it better. I hope to foster a love (or at least like) of school and learning. I think elementary children are the best thing in the world. I think they are funny, amazing, and I love talking to them. I chose to be your child’s teacher. I bid on this position and transferred from North to teach your child math. I am going to have a wonderful year and I hope your child does as well.