Back to School Night 2013

1. Back to School Night 2013 Our presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. Email BOTH OF US anytime at: ah04bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us em06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us Mrs. Harvath & Mrs. Maliszewski (Mali)

2. Please visit the tables in the hallway for any handouts or signup sheets. • Please take only one copy of each handout per family. • Thank you ROOM PARENTS!

3. Throughout the presentation, please write down any questions you have for us on an index card. Leave your name and email address and we’ll get back to you individually!

4. Who TEACHES YOUR CHILD

5. Teaming Erica Maliszewski -107 Math Science Integrated Learning Design (ILD) Children spend equal time with both teachers. Often, we will co-teach lessons Mandy Harvath -203 Language Arts Social Studies

6. Our Daily Schedule

7. Character education & Building a school family

8. Love and Logicby Dr. Jim Faye • “Establish healthy control through easy-to-implement steps without anger, threats, nagging, or power struggles.” (from Amazon summary) • Respect, relationship, responsibility, choices, natural consequences • Parenting with Love and Logic: http://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Love-Logic-Updated-Expanded/dp/1576839540/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378839169&sr=1-2&keywords=love+and+logic

9. Conscious Discipline by Dr. Becky Bailey • Social-Emotional Character Education Curriculum • Brain-based learning strategies for children, teachers, and parents • Dedicated lessons weekly • Link to Amazon for parent book • Conscious Discipline for Parents: http://consciousdiscipline.com/about/conscious_discipline_for_parents.asp • Books for parents also at: http://consciousdiscipline.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=4

10. Curriculum

11. Common Core Standards • BPS is implementing new nationally adopted Common Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards • Click here to watch a short informative video about Common Core • Common Core Standards will be on BPS’ updated report cards being used this year

12. Enrichment for All Learners • Enrichment pieces integrated into most units of study and into many daily lessons. • Optional Challenge & Enrichment activities are often provided. • Challenge & Enrichment involve the student making choices to match his/her individual interests and/or learning style and are often collaborative.

13. Language Arts In 3rd and 4th grade our students will participate in reading and writing workshop every day. We will also integrate word study, book club opportunities, and cursive.

14. Social Studies • Michigan Studies • Geography • Government • History • Economy

15. Science

16. Math Pilot of Math Expressions • Daily Student Activity Book pages done in class • Homework and Remembering • www.ThinkCentral.com • Mega Math and Unit Tests • www.bcs34.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.usor www.multiplication.com for fact practice. All multiplication facts to 12 mastered ASAP • https://www.thelearningodyssey.com(Compass Learning - individualized learning path developed after NWEA test on 9/23 & 9/24) • Frequent basic facts practice at home • Homework is self-checked and is not collected

17. Math Facts Goals End of Year District Goals:

18. Technology integration

19. 21st Century Skills • BCS believes in learner-centered curriculum designed to emphasize: • Collaboration • Communication • reading, writing, speaking, listening) • Creativity • Critical Thinking • (Inquiry and Problem Solving) • Reflection • Digital Citizenship

20. Our 21st Century Classrooms Daily Blog

21. Technology Tips and Tricks • URLs and login information on labels on the inside front cover of each student’s planner. • When we assign tech homework, we know your child is capable of doing it! • Try calling a classmate for help. • Have your child email the teacher from his/her own school email account if he/she encounters any difficulties. You can have him/her CC you if desired. • Read our blogs for specific directions for that night’s tech task.

22. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)With your permission, students are allowed to bring in a laptop, iPad, iTouch, or Kindle for academic use only. • Old laptops that have Internet access and Word will be useful for your child in class. • This is optional and encouraged! • We are working toward a 1:1 device to student ratio. • Most-frequently-used programs will be an Internet browser and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint). • Devices will be kept with the student, in our classroom, or in the child’s locker. • Devices must be clearly labeled with your child’s first and last name before they are brought to school. • For school work, NOT gaming! (class, bus, hallway, recess) • BYOD will be greatly useful for ALL the children in our classes and will positively impact their daily education.

23. Homework

24. How much homework? Most homework is finishing daily class work. Daily: Math (Compass Learning and/or Homework/Remembering pages) Reading (at least 20 minutes for 3rd, 30 minutes for 4th) Practice basic math facts (at least 15 minutes) In Quarters 2 and 3, there is Spelling homework. We will have an at-home Paragraph Practice once or twice a month. Practice typing.

25. Math Facts Practice • Due to a rigorous math curriculum, students need to practice basic fact at home all year long. We recommend 15 minutes per weekday. • Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division • District goals for each grade level; mastery includes speed and getting correct answer. • Use flashcards and fact triangle cards in the car! Keep them by your child’s seat. • Play games from the Student Reference Book. • Online: play free games, free timed tests, print free worksheets. • Apps for smart phones!!

26. Read!

27. Read! Our Favorite! “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” --Emily Buchwald--

28. Fostering Independent Homework Skills • Homework is the student’s job and they should do more work than the parent or the teacher. • Homework is a four step process: take it home, do it, bring it back to school, turn it in • If students have missing assignments, they can work during lunch and recess time in the success center. • If the work cannot be completed in the success center, students will write themselves a reminder in their planner. • If a written reminder does not work, teachers will contact parents if students have missing assignments.

29. Fostering Independent Homework Skills • Doing Homework • Have a regular time and place for homework. • Allow your child to do his or her homework alone. • Encourage kids to put a ? next to problems that confuse them. • Have your child show you completed homework and bring you the planner to be initialed. • Set natural consequences at home if work doesn’t get done. • Getting Homework to and from School • Keep all folders, papers, binders, and other classroom materials in the binder at all times. • Please do NOT “clean out” your child’s binder. • Remind your child to re-pack his or her binder as soon as work is completed, AT NIGHT!

30. Home-SCHool Connection

31. Daily Homework Blog VISIT OUR BLOG DAILY!!! • Add it to your favorites list: www.hmbcs.blogspot.com • Parameters • Read our blog every day! • This is the way to communicate our exciting curriculum with parents! • Check the blog every day for LOADS of helpful information! • If you subscribe via email it will be sent right to you – pictures and all! Daily Blog

32. How to Help • Please make sure that your child is at school by 8:15 – any time after 8:20 is late • Check our blog every day. • Students will complete a planner entry each day. Please Discuss the homework assignments with your child. • Initial your child’s planner EVERY night. • Check the BLUE Take Home folder each night. This contains mail, homework, and other important papers. • Support your child’s homework to foster independence. • Make sure your child is getting enough sleep, has a healthy lunch and snack, and is physically active. • Have your child read daily and you should read daily in front of them. Read together as well. • Read Love and Logic and Conscious Disciplineto get a feel for BCS’ discipline model. • Communicate with your child’s teachers!!

33. Field trips & Parties

34. Field Trips • Friday, December 13, 2013: ROUGE PLANT TOUR • Friday, March 7, 2013: DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM

35. Field Trip Musts • Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothes. • Pack lunches ONLY in disposable bags/baggies/bottles. • Groups may NOT visit Souvenir Shops. Do NOT give your child spending money. Chaperones may NOT purchase anything for the children in their group. • Pack GameBoys, iPods, books, etc. for use on the bus only at your own risk. We are not responsible for lost or damaged items. • Children must carry all of their own belongings. • Chaperones are not sherpas!

36. Class Parties • Halloween Party – Thursday, October 31th • Holiday Party – Friday, December 20th • Valentine’s Day Card Exchange – Friday, February 14th • Reading to Superbowl – Friday, January 31 • End of the Year Party – Thursday, June 12th, all day Please join us! Contact your room parent to volunteer!!

37. Healthy Snacks • Please send in one or two healthy snacks with your child. • We have a snack time in the morning but students often like to have one before choice hour (it is a long day) • Each student should have a “Spill-Free” water bottle. Please do not send in any colored beverages (our carpet thanks you!) • We have Peanut-Free classrooms- please remember this when packing snacks

38. Birthday Treats • You may send in a birthday treat for your child to share with his/her homeroom if you choose. • All treats must be NUT FREE! • We celebrate in the afternoon. • Please email your child’s teacher the day before so we make time for your child’s celebration! • You may drop off your treat when you drop off your child. • There are 27 students in one homeroom. • Please send in treats that are individually portioned for each student. • All 27 treats should be identical. (flavor, size, etc.) Children enjoy “fairness.” • Please provide 27 napkins. • Beverages are not necessary. • Students enjoy passing out treats to other teachers, so you may wish to send in a few extra. • Summer birthdays may want to choose an alternate date to celebrate. (ex. half-birthday)

39. Thank you for coming tonight! Please leave your question cards in the basket and we will respond by email. We are so thankful to work with such supportive parents! Mr. Morawskiand Mrs. Chinn will be beginning their presentation in the Media Center.