Welcome to Open House 2012

1. Welcome to Open House2012 Mrs. Mathusek

2. Agenda • Teacher Information • Goals • Curriculum • Grading & Behavior Policies • Daily Schedule • Tidbits

3. Educational Background • Graduate of Downingtown High School • Graduate of West Chester University with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education • Graduate of PSU with a Masters and Certification in Special Education

4. My Credentials • Student Teacher, 4th Grade, General Wayne with Mr. Wilkey • Classroom Teacher in 5th Grade at GWES since 2004 • 5th grade mentor • Cooperating teacher • Member of the Reading, Writing, and Core Extension Committees

5. My Family We met in junior high and we have been married for eleven years. Bowzer

6. My Family Emilie and Michael Meghan

7. My Goals • To prepare your children for middle school and life beyond • To ensure that your children have a safe, fun, and exciting year • To assist and encourage your children as they mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially grow into young adults

8. Language Arts • Components: • Reader’s Workshop • Writer’s Workshop • Word Study • vocabulary, spelling & grammar • Interactive Read Aloud • Reinforcement of cursive writing

9. Reader’s Workshop • Components: • Mini-lesson • Independent reading with Post-its • Partner reading and book clubs • Reading logs used daily in workshop and at home • Teacher and peer conferences • Reader’s Notebook • Every child assessed for their reading level

10. Writer’s Workshop • Components: • Mini-lesson • Independent writing • Teacher and peer conferences • Writer’s Notebook • Currently working on Personal Narratives

11. Word Study • Spelling: • Word sorts and weekly activities • Students have their own spelling lists • Work in small groups on specific skills • Bi-weekly assessments • Vocabulary: • LINCS strategy for 5 words • Bi-weekly assessments • Grammar: • Parts of speech

12. How can you help? • Read with with your child and ask them questions • Share the books you’re reading • Sign their reading log • Mystery Reader • Donate books • Order Scholastic books (volunteer) • Read their written responses • Practice sorts and quiz spelling words

13. Social Studies • Readers • Age of Invention • Immigration • Progressive Era • WWI • Roaring 20s • Great Depression • WWII • Cold War • Civil Rights Movement • Modern Decades • Integrated library research lessons • Readers must be kept in plastic bags!

14. Math(5th grade) • Text • Scott Foresman: D.I. and Investigations • Numbers and Number Systems • Fractions, Decimals and Percents • Geometry • Data Analysis • Measurement • Algebra *Practice math facts*

15. Math(6th grade) • Text • Prentice Hall • Emphasis on Algebraic concepts • First In Math for all students All math texts available online! ***Math groups created by a math committee based on previous test scores. GWES practices a “flexible grouping” policy.***

16. Science(Kits supported by Harcourt Text and readers) Integrated library research lessons • Marking Pd #1: • Environments Kit • Marking Pd #2: • Astronomy Kit • Marking Pd #3: • Rocks and Minerals Kit

17. Science • Science Notebooks • Primary study guide • Teacher-guided set up • Students are responsible for copying missed notes • Graded

18. Grading Policy(Posted on Skyward) • Standards-Based Report Card • 4=Advanced • 3=Proficient • 2=Basic • 1=Below Basic • Averaged composite score for tests, quizzes, homework, and projects • A, B, C, D, or E • Effort grade for each subject • E=Excellent, C=Consistent, I=Inconsistent, L=Little Effort • Scores for Characteristics of the Learner • CO=Commendable S=Satisfactory I=Inconsistent, U=Unsatisfactory

19. Behavior Policy for Room 002 • Character Counts (school-wide policy) • Cooperative Learning • Class rewards • Individual HW charts • Consequences for poor choices include loss of recess, note, Stop and Think, phone call by student or teacher or conference

20. Olweus Bullying Prevention Program • Researched based program involving classroom, and school-wide efforts regarding the prevention and intervention of bullying • Core team is working at GWES to refine the program • Class meetings held every Wednesday from 8:55-9:15 to work on problem solving current issues and how to prevent future ones • Mini-lessons to discuss bullying, bystander, target, and instigator • Attend PTO meetings for school updates • Olweus pamphlets are available

21. Homework • On average, homework will take approximately 60 minutes each night. • Homework is to be completed neatly, according to the directions and handed in on time. • Please help, but do not do! • Please sign your child’s assignment book AFTER you’ve looked at your child’s work.

22. Classroom Celebrations • Students are permitted to bring in non-edible items to share with the class for birthdays. (pencils or stickers) • Class parties need to have some healthy food in addition to all of the yummy treats. • Students are permitted to have a healthy snack throughout the day.

23. Field Trips & Important Dates • October: • GVNC 10/5 • November: • Conferences • December: • PL&TC 12/4 • February: • Field test of new PSSA 2/4 *Chaperones selected via lottery* • March-April: • PSSA Testing (reading, writing, and math) • Conferences • May: • GVMS visit • Washington D.C. 5/31 • June: • Human Growth and Development

24. 5th Grade Perks • October: • Halloween 10/31 • Following the parade • December: • Winter concert • Holiday party • February: • Exchange of valentines—no party • June: • End of the Year celebration • Yearbooks • T-shirts

25. Daily Schedule • School starts at 8:50 A.M. sharp! • I posted our schedule on my webpage. • If possible, please schedule appointments at the beginning or the end of the school day.

26. Contact Information:bmathusek@gvsd.org610-647-6651 ext. 1002 Please visit my webpage for classroom updates and curriculum news!

27. Let’s Have a Great Year!