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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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?

9. 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!

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

11. Math Options IXL.com Math Activities
2 skills assigned each week
Questions get harder as questions are answered correctly.
Results are ed 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.

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

13. 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

14. Homework
Goes home on Monday. Returned to school by Friday (Thursdays when no school on Friday). Begins Sept. 17,
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.

15. 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!

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

17. It’s going to be a great year!