Peter Harris 4 th Grade Teacher Sunset View Elementary

1. E-mail: pharris@sandi.net Peter Harris4th Grade TeacherSunset View Elementary

2. Personal • native San Diegan • married 18 years(Mary) • daughter (Maddie; attends 5th grade at Dana) • interests: tennis, swimming at the Cove, alternative music, reading, San Diego sports fan (Go Padres, Chargers)

3. Professional • Beginning my 14th year in education (grades taught: 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th) • taught at inner city schools for first 4 years; 10th year at Sunset View • BA in English from Southern Oregon University • Masters Degree in Education from SDSU

4. Philosophy • It’s easier and more conducive to learning if you build a child up, not tear him/her down • Be positive yet firm with directives • Make sure students understand their role and expectations within the classroom • Attitude, Responsibility and Respect • Education is a journey, not a race! • “I prefer the errors of enthusiasm to the indifference of wisdom” - Anatole France

5. Goals • Build life long readers, writers, scientists, mathematicians, and historians • Instill a sense of security in each child’s own abilities • Build independence • Have fun • Foster risk taking

6. Curriculum Stuff • Math: Read and write whole numbers into the hundred millions. Use concepts of negative numbers (e.g., on a number line, in counting, in temperature, in "owing"). Round two-place decimals to one decimal or the nearest whole number and judge the reasonableness of the rounded answer. Order and compare whole numbers and decimals to two decimal places. • California history: Spanish influence in California (California Missions) Demonstrates understanding of the physical environment (such as climate, water) and the human geographic features of California (brochure). Describes the impact of the Gold Rush on immigration, society, economics, and government, including Statehood (First Person Diary) • Science focus: Knows characteristics of rocks and minerals reflect the processes that made them. Knows waves, wind, water, and ice shape Earth’s land surface. (Science Journal) Understands the unique balance of life within the Kelp Forest (MARE).

7. Daily Schedule • 9:10 Math (daily) • 10:30 Reader’s Workshop (daily) • 11:10 Recess • 11:30 Writer’s Workshop (3 days) • 12:45 Lunch • 1:30 Read Aloud (3 days) • 2:00 Word Study (3-4 days) • 2:35 S.S./Science (3 days) • 3:35 Dismissal

8. Extracurricular Activities • VAPA: Monday, 10:10 – 11:10am (Music, Dance, Drama) • PE: Tuesday, 1:25 – 2:25pm • Music Instrument: Wednesday, 11:45- 12:45pm (flute, violin, percussion) 12 week sessions • Computer Lab: Friday, 11:30 – 12:45pm

9. Field Trips • Scripps Aquarium (adaptations and habitats)- Apr./May • IMAX Movie/Science Museum (related to Social Studies or Science) • Indian Hills (Gold Mining)-Oct. • Live Children’s Play (Spring) • San Diego Mission (either SD or San Juan Capistrano) • Torrey Pines (Rocks and Minerals)-Dec. • *****All drivers must fill out new volunteer forms (at back table)

10. Responsibilities/Expectations • Turn in completed homework each Friday • Name and # are on each assignment • Keep possession of classroom handouts • Classroom chores • Keep desks somewhat clean • Binders are taken to and from school daily and are kept organized • Take pride in one’s work • Work to the best of one’s abilities

11. Homework • Assignments are given out Monday and are due on Friday of that week or alternative • Math sheets (Excel and Homework workbook) • Reading Log (25 minutes daily) • Reading Response (one each week) • Word of the Week (use it in a sentence) • Practice Math Facts (5 minutes daily) • Problem of the Week (may need assistance on a few) • Bigger projects may come home at various times throughout the year for completion • Homework problems skipped

12. Differentiation(How to reach the needs of individual students) • Math (envision program) has imbedded levels for students who need more/less support • Early Finishers (Math games, Marcy Cook Tile Boards) • Open Ended/Project based learning opportunities that allow students to take projects further • Self Selected topics of research • Pretest before new unit of study (95% or higher shows mastery) • Varied Writing Topics • Book Clubs

13. Classroom Management Consequences • First Time: Name on board with check mark; loss of $10 Piggy Bucks • Each additional check will result in a loss of $10 Piggy Bucks • 5 check marks in a one week period results in a loss of Friday Special Rewards • Positive Verbal Praise (daily) • Friday Special (weekly) • Earning of Piggy Bucks (to be used on merchandise from Classroom Store) • Positive Notes Home (random) • Popcorn and Movie Parties (every 10 weeks or so) • The joy of learning (each day of the school year)

14. Friday Special • Friday afternoons (3:10-3:35) • those that earned it (playground) • those that didn’t (study hall) • Behavior (5 checks or more) • Missing or incomplete Homework assignment

15. Communication • Classroom Webpage • Assignments • Field Trips • Special Events • Email (I usually check them before school each day) • Work Envelope (sent home last Friday of every month) • Mail

16. Important Dates • Teacher Conferences (Fall-Nov. 15-17; Spring-March 14-16) • March 1 Jog-a-thon () • March 23: Dinner/Dance Auction • April 24-26; May 1-3 Star Testing Window (If possible, please avoid scheduling vacations during this time • May 17: Open House/Art Show (tentative) • June 13 :4th grade promotion: (12:45 dismissal)

17. Classroom Donations • Disinfectant Wipes • Healthy Recess Snacks • Goodies for Classroom Store (old reading books, $.99 store stuff)

18. Volunteer Sign-up • Room parent • Foundation Dinner basket • Art Project Coordinator • Classroom Photographer • Character Counts • Art Corp (3 per visit) • Classroom Volunteers • Copying/Grading (Friday) • Conference sign ups for Nov. 15 – 17

19. Questions

20. Thank you all for coming!