1. Please make yourself comfortable. If you would like, feel free to fill out the papers on your desk. We will start the presentation when everyone has had a chance to come in.

2.  I’m originally from Batesville, IN, which is about an hour southeast of Indianapolis.  I went to Indiana University for college.  I have a second undergraduate degree in Broadcasting in addition to my teaching credentials.  My mother has been a first grade teacher for over thirty years.  My sister teaches Kindergarten in Whiteland.

3.  Schools where I’ve taught: -West Grove Elementary (5th grade student teaching) -Clark-Pleasant Intermediate (Assistant) -Danville, IN (4th grade) -Center Grove Elementary (Assistant)  In my free time, I like to read, spend time with my family, watch movies, and watch sports (especially the Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals!)

4.  My goal in teaching is to help create lifelong learners and help students grow academically as well as socially. I believe that this can be accomplished if everyone works together: the student, school, and home.  Everything covered in Room 24 is based off of Indiana State Academic Standards, as well as Common Core standards.  An important part of the process is communication between everyone: students, parents, and teacher.

5.  Envision Math Series, material covered based on Indiana Academic Standards.  Numbers expanded into higher place values.  Division skills improved to be able to complete two digit divisors (long division).  Algebra skills with variables, and equations.  Fractions ( Very important ), Area, perimeter.  Practice multiplication facts constantly. These are important in many topics in Math this year.

6.  Reading Workshop continued this year.  2 Novel studies: Sign of the Beaver, Through My Eyes, the biography of Ruby Bridges.  Read as much as possible at home! There will be Reading Logs sent home to keep track of how much you are reading. An hour a week will be required.  Reading should be something to look forward to!

7.  Words every week.  Test on Wednesday and Friday. If you score 100% on Wednesday, you won’t have to take the Friday test! The best score of the two tests is the one recorded in the grade book.

8.  Geography- states and capitals. You will need to know all 50 states and their capitals. There will be a test on this. It’s easier than you think!  History: Early Americans, Explorers, colonies in America, and American History all the way through the Revolutionary War.

9.  Switching with Mrs. Burton down the hall.  Discovery Education series with online textbooks.  Studying the planets, food chains, matter, and ecosystems.

10.  Please feel free to call or email me about any questions or concerns you may have. I will return phone calls as soon as possible, but usually after school. Emails will be looked at during the day, and I will respond to them as soon as possible, also.  Together we can work through any issues that may come up.  I always appreciate parents taking an interest in their students’ learning.

11.  I’m always looking for volunteers to help in the classroom!  Just as a reminder, anyone coming in to the classroom must have a background check on file for each school building, every year. For example, a background check at the middle school from last year does not work. This is for the safety of everyone at North Grove. Thanks for understanding!  You can volunteer as much or as little as you would like. I appreciate any help you might be able to give.  Occasionally, I have materials I can send home, like gluing, applying labels, and cutting paper. If you would like to do this, please feel free to let me know!

12.  5 th grade at North Grove uses a “100 Point Club” system. Each student has the opportunity to earn 3 points a day, and if they reach the goal for the nine weeks, they will be able to go to the celebration!  Points won’t be awarded if students forget homework, turn in assignments incomplete, and also for behavior choices.  More information will be given on the first day of school.

13.  All homework assignments are written down in the planner.  Students: please be sure to check this every night to see what homework assignments you may have.  This helps students take personal responsibility for things that are required to be done.

14.  I’m looking forward to a great year with your child! As always, I’m more than happy to answer any questions you may have. If you think of it later, please feel free to email me at cmergenthal@centergrove.k12.in.us My contact information is also on my classroom website, found on North Grove’s website. Look for more updates on this soon!