Welcome!

1. Welcome! 2014-2015 School Year San Elijo Elementary Mr. Gidner 2nd Grade

2. Agenda • Introductions • Daily Schedules • Classroom Rules • Class Dojo • Grading • Common Core Academics • Homework • Edmodo • Accelerated Reader • School Information • Parent Conferences • Supplies and Donations • Parent Volunteers • Other Items • Questions/Answers

3. Mr. Gidner • Grew up in San Marcos • Currently live here in San Elijo Hills • Wife is a teacher at Carrillo Elementary • Addison is 8 ½ years old…starting 3rd Grade • Nolan is almost 4 years old • Attended San Diego State University • Began teaching in 1999 • Taught: ~Kindergarten 1999-2003 ~1st Grade 2003-2006 ~4th Grade 2006-2007 ~Kindergarten 2007-2008 ~2nd Grade 2008-present

4. Daily Schedule

5. Classroom Rules • We have three basic rules in our classroom: 1. Be respectful 2. Be a decision maker 3. Make good choices • Classroom Management Plan a. Individual: Students will have the opportunity to earn rewards such as homework passes, student of the month, special awards, etc. b. Class: Class will begin with 5 points per day with the opportunity to earn more or lose points; points can be redeemed for rewards Students breaking the rules will sign into the discipline book and face consequences: 1st: Loss of recess and lunch 2nd: Buddy Classroom 3rd: Office

6. Class Dojo My class dojo is an online behavior management system that allows students to earn (or lose) points in real time. Students will earn Gotcha Wall signatures for all points earned. At the end of the week, you will get a print out sent to you via email of your child’s points each day in class. Class Dojo

7. Grading • Students will be graded on a sliding grading scale: 4 Meets grade level standards with a high degree of competency 3 Consistently meets grade level standards 2 Approaching grade level standards 1 Below or far below grade level standards • The school year will be divided into the following three trimesters: 1st August 25– November 7 2nd November 10 – March 6 3rd March 9 – June 17

8. Common Core Academics • Our class will be implementing the common core writing and math standards, just like every other class in the district. In addition, we will also be implementing the language arts component. • We will continue to have some direct instruction in all areas, but we will add the collaborative and depth of knowledge piece to our learning. • It is going to be a transition year for students as well as the teacher!

9. Homework • Homework this year will be quite different! As we change our teaching philosophy, the pencil and paper ways of doing things will also change. There will no longer be a “packet” of work that goes home on Monday and comes back on Friday. • Homework will include math journals going home with a specific sticker problem. Also I will upload lessons into ten marks to complete as optional work. Dreambox can also be used as an additional supplement. • Reading logs will be done via Googledocs…I will have an online form available and all you have to do is enter the minutes read per night. On Friday morning, the students will be writing about their at home reading for the week. Reading Log

10. Edmodo Edmodo is a secure, social learning platform for teachers, students, schools and districts. It provides a safe and easy way for our class to connect and collaborate, share content and access homework.. The goal is to help students harness the power of social media customized to their specific classroom. Homework and messages will be posted throughout the week, so please log in often. EDMODO

11. Accelerated Reader • Our school has an accelerated reader program where the students will read books and take quizzes on the books via the computer. Quizzes can no longer be taken at home. One of the centers the students will have most weeks will focus on accelerated reader and taking quizzes at school. • We have our own incentive program in our classroom as well entitled… Ready, Set, Hike…… The students will move their football across the field until they score a touchdown (earn their medal). My goal is for every student to earn a medal • I will send home a Welcome to AR letter when the program kicks of later next month!

12. Other Information Dismissal:. I will be walking the students to the gate....if you are not at the gate, I will be sending them to the drop off area so that they will be supervised. • Every Wednesday is college day! Wear college attire! Go AZTECS!!!!! • Please text @gobolts to (424) 277-6970 to receive text message alerts from me!

13. Parent Conferences • Conference Day is November 17th • Conferences will continue 11/18 through 11/21 after school until 3:45pm • Communication throughout the year can be done via email damon.gidner@smusd.org Phone 290-2600 ext. 3302

14. Supplies The students will need the following supplies: • Backpack • Hand sanitizer • Pencil case • If you would like to “donate” items to the class, there is a donation link on our class website. Please sign up for whatever you would like to contribute. • I also appreciate gift cards to purchase “extra” school supplies to any of the following: Teachers pay Teachers Target Staples itunes (for our ipad) Each student gets $10 per year in supplies

15. Parent Volunteers Volunteers are welcomed and encouraged!!!! The weekly volunteer list is on the website. You are welcome to share days or take a day…it is up to you. In addition, I am looking for: • Room Mom(s) or dad(s) • Basket Coordinator for Spring • Class photographer • Garden Docent

16. Other Items • If you have empty ink cartridges, I will take those! I can recycle them at Staples and earn paper for our classroom! • Throughout the year I will also send home scholastic book orders. Book orders will be done online through scholastics website. Our code for our class is JBPZM

17. Q & A • Questions???????

18. Thank you for coming! • Don’t forget to leave questionnaire and information card on my desk