Back to School Night 2014-2015 Mrs. Brown Room Number B117

1. Back to School Night 2014-2015 Mrs. Brown Room Number B117

2. Aligned to meet the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) • Information is online and was sent home first week of school • http://www.state.nj.us/education/cccs/ • www.corestandards.org

3. (Reading, Writing, Spelling, Vocabulary) • Comprehensive literacy program • Aligned to Common Core State Standards • 5 units; 5 lessons (cycles/weeks) per unit • Each unit focuses on a “Big Idea,” and each lesson in a unit focuses on an “Essential Question” related to the unit’s “Big Idea” • 1 end of year unit (not included in the 5 mentioned above) • Tests every week/cycle on the lesson (whole group story)

4. Assessment • Weekly Tests • Unit Tests (at the end of 5 lessons/weeks) • Weekly Spelling Tests • Benchmark assessments • Running records • Leveled practice • Writing prompts and daily edits • Diagnostic assessment (beginning of year and ongoing) • Comprehensive Screening Analysis (beginning of year) • Fluency assessments • Teacher observation in guided reading groups • Independent literacy related work • Completed writing pieces (long and short)

5. Focus on vocabulary in context • Focus on responding to reading • Focus on using proof from the text • Focus on non-fiction, expository texts • Focus on Close Reading • Guided Reading instruction • Interactive Notebooking and centers • - Online: www.thinkcentral.com • - Online: www.raz-kids.com

6. Spelling • 18 words per week that go along with the whole group texts • 14 basic words, 2, review words, 2 challenge words • Daily whole group spelling lessons • V-C-e spellings; prefixes and suffixes; double consonants, etc. • Daily whole group phonics lessons • EX) long and short vowels; words with “air” “ear” and “are”; double “o”, compound words, etc.

7. New Writing program WRITE STEPS Write Steps works because it weaves writing pedagogy best practicesinto highly teachable daily lessons and focuses entirely on Common Core skills development. Combines Traits Based Writing with the Writing Process

8. GRAMMAR • Taught both in context through the Write Steps program AND in isolation through Journeys

9. Built Around the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) • Organized around Essential Questions for focused content • Sequenced instruction to ensure student success • Written to explicitly address the new CCSS • Focuses on the Standards of Mathematical Practice • Multiple experiences to build conceptual understanding • Modeling, reasoning, and productive disposition activities • Real-world problem-solving examples required for success.

10. Digital Tools • Chapter videos • Virtual tutors – great for “at home” support • Animations • All resources and materials available online under child’s account. • Virtual manipulatives – offer anytime, anywhere access to modeling tools such as base ten blocks, money, counting cubes, attribute blocks, calendar, balance, and more. • Assignments for individuals, group, or whole classes • Downloadable math apps to build fluency in computation skills and strategies • (Games run on iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch) • Multiple ways to ensure success for every student • Hands on lessons – introduces key concepts through concrete modeling with manipulatives. • My Learning Station – Center activities, problem solving cards and game boards offer differentiation and practice. • Real World Problem Solving Readers – fun ways to apply problem solving strategies.

11. Place Value • Addition • Subtraction • Understand Multiplication • Understand Division • Multiplication and Division Patterns • Apply Multiplication and Division • Properties and Equations • Fractions • Measurement • Represent and Interpret Data • Perimeter and Area • Geometry

12. Instruction occurs in classroom and science lab • Units of Study: • Sun, Moon, Stars • Structures of Life • Chemical Tests

13. Social Studies Alive (3 times per cycle) • Teacher’s Curriculum Institute • TCI Approach: • Standards Based Content • Preview Assignment • Multiple Intelligence Teaching Strategies • Considerate Text • Graphically Organized Reading Notes • Processing Assignment • Multiple Intelligences Assessment • Theory Based-Active Instruction

14. Please refer to online Student/Parent Handbook on website. • Attendance Policy • Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy • Food Policy (no food for birthdays) • Behavior Policy

15. My expectations are that students will come to school prepared and ready to learn. They will try their best. I also expect students to treat others with respect and kindness. Brains, Class points, 3 Strikes You’re Out!

16. Our class mission statement outlines the rules we follow in class. We have had several discussions about what the words to the mission statement mean and how it looks in the classroom.

18. Dismissal begins at 3:18 and lasts until 3:25 • New procedures for parent pick up • Try to avoid picking child up between 3:00-3:18 • Always send a note or cc Donna Giampietro if you have any changes to how your child will go home. Please send notes/calls in the morning. No calls/notes regarding dismissal will be accepted after 3pm UNLESS IT’S AN EMERGENCY

19. Grading is based on the following: 90-100 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 63-69 = D 62- below = F Various assignments within each subject area are weighted differently to assure that students’ grades come from more than just tests and participation Check Genesis frequently for grades.

20. MTES: 10 minutes X grade level per night (excluding independent reading) • Students are expected to turn in homework when it is due • Students are responsible for own HW • Not allowed to come back after school hours to get something “left behind” • Encourage independence and responsibility • Students should pack their OWN backpacks • Sign assignment pad each night • Section on report card for HW

21. Number of days absent = number of days to complete work • Work scan be sent home with a neighbor or you can pick it up at school • Policy of vacations during school

22. Picture Day is September 26th PARCC: March and May 2015 Wax Museum (sometime in March/April)

23. Email: sbrown@mansfieldschool.com Phone: 298-2037 ext: 5217 Notes: Please write on a separate sheet of paper so I can place it in child’s file, respond to it, or send to office if needed. VIP Folders Assignment Pads

24. www.parcconline.org PARCC testing www.wordcentral.com Online dictionary and thesarus for children www.drive.google.com Google Drive www.corestandards.org Common Core www.thinkcentral.com Journeys http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com My Math http://www.raz-kids.com/main/Login Online Leveled Reading www.adaptedmind.com Online math practice www.frontrowed.com Online math practice www.xtramath.org Online math practce

25. A great way to stay informed! www.mansfieldschool.com Classrooms; 3rd Grade; 3 Brown Homework Access to: Genesis Gradebook, Think Central (Journeys), My Math (online games, fact practice, assignments, etc. Upcoming Events LinksScholastic ordering info. Special schedule Links to other helpful online “games” Other important information

26. THANK YOU!! Thank you for coming! We look forward to spending the year with you and your children! Don’t Forget To: Write a note to you child, sign up for December Conferences, AND take folder on your child’s desk home with you!