Welcome to Upper Elementary Parent Night 2014- 2015

1. Welcome to Upper Elementary Parent Night 2014- 2015 Mrs. Melanie’s Class Room 4

2. Parent Information – 5th Grade

3. Parent Information Lunch Visits: • Sign up for visit in the office and must have a sticker. Student Observations: • Sign up in the office at least 24 hours in advance. • Courtesy email to the teacher in order to ensure students are there and a space is available for you. • No interactions with students or teachers. Communication: • Expect emails, newsletters, conference, etc. • Open communication and reinforcement and support of school expectations. Volunteering: • Be aware of room parent in order to get involved in gardening, practical life skills, field trips, etc. • Must have Level 4 status for working with students.

4. Expectations of the student

5. Homework Expectations • “What does Montessori homework look like? Homework runs a gamut of “real life” activities including chores, and using everyday activities as opportunities for learning skills and stimulating curiosity. Dr. Maria Montessori believed that children should be so inspired and enthused by school activity and presentations and that their interest will naturally carry over to after school hours.” (“Montessori Homework” AMI Publication 2006) Reading: • Should be reading a minimum of 20-30 minutes each night. • Students should be filling out their reading log nightly. • Parents – please sign this weekly. Family and Community Time: • Spending time in the community doing service projects, doing independent work, and chores of the home (Practical Life).

6. In-Class Work Expectations • Challenging • Consistent • Best effort and quality • Organization • Follow directions • Completed in a timely manner/Time Management • Regular participation • Reflects a child’s passions • Work independently • " This is the treasure we need today - helping the child become independent of us and make his way by himself…” • Maria Montessori • " A child needs freedom within limits. " • Maria Montessori

7. Quizzes • Students will have short quizzes weekly • Every other week: Vocabulary (in sentences) and math word problems • Students will practice vocabulary at school, but should also discuss challenging words with you so they can practice using them. – The goal is use of the words, not rote memorization • Every other week: Reading passages and comprehension questions

8. Conferencing Rubric

9. Behavior Expectations • Respect (self, peers, teachers, environment) • Works consistently during MWC • Exhibits peace • Models leadership • Follows directions • Has faith in self and others • Works for continued growth and excellence • " Social grace, inner discipline and joy. These are the birthright of the human being who has been allowed to develop essential human qualities. “ • Maria Montessori

10. Behavior Matrix

11. Math and Literacy

12. Math 5th Grade • Timeline of Mathematics • Operations and Algebraic Thinking • Checkerboard, Racks and Tubes (x and ÷) • Number and Operations - Base Ten • Decimal Board and Checkerboard • Number and Operations – Fractions • Fraction Insets, box, and skittles • Measurement and Data • Geometry • Quadrilaterals Work

13. Literacy • What students will learn and refine their study of: • Story Structure and Genre Study • Theme/Main Idea • Inferencing • Compare/contrast themes w/in a topic • Timeline of Writing • This is accomplished through: • Interactive Read Alouds • Overarching concepts and standards are introduced and modeled through whole group, interactive read alouds. • Guided Reading Groups • Students will explore and expand their reading skills. • Students will learn new ways to read and interpret a story. • Literature Circles • Students will work in a small group with a common text. • They will each have a role within the group. • They will dissect and discuss the novel they have been given to study.

14. Writing • Advanced Grammar Materials • Sentence Analysis Materials • Timeline of Writing • Students will develop their skills in writing workshop: • Opinion Pieces (Standard W-1) • Informative/Explanatory Texts (Standard W-2) • Narrative Pieces (Standard W-3) • This is accomplished through: • Writers Workshop • Brainstorm • Research • Outline • Rough Draft • Edit • Final Copy • Students will be using a Research Paper Check List for all research based papers.

15. Social Studies and Science

16. Social Studies Curriculum • US History • Timeline of Humans • Characteristics and development of civilizations • Timelines and Matrices • US Geography and Economy • Economic Geography Materials • Exploration • Research • US History through the Reconstruction • Timeline of US History • Math, science, literacy and practical life connections will be made throughout the curriculum.

17. Science Curriculum • Science as inquiry is reached through an understanding of the Scientific Method being applied within the following scientific disciplines: • Force and Motion • Matter: Properties and Change • Energy: Conservation and Transfer • Earth Systems, Processes and Structures • Structures and Functions of Living Organisms • Ecosystems • Evolution and Genetics

18. Specials and Intramurals

19. Specials

20. Orchestra • Requires two hours during work cycle. • Does not exempt a student from completing all works on a work plan. • Must maintain a high level of work and effort in the classroom. • Requires regular at-home practice.

21. Intramurals • Intramurals will be held on Mondays and Fridays. • Prior to intramurals beginning students will be given the chance to rank which activity they would like to participate in during this time. • All activities will led by an adult and will teach good sportsmanship as well as teach the students a new activity they may not have otherwise tried. • Examples: Track and Field, Floopball, Beats and Feets and Soccer

22. Middle School Info and Child Development

23. Middle School • Start looking at Middle Schools early and often • Visit schools and attend open houses. Speak with other students at that school as well as your own child • Learn what is expected at those schools as far as homework, prerequisites, etc. Chantilly Upper El is designed as a conduit to Sedgefield Montessori • Options for Middle Schools • Sedgefield Grades 7 – 8 • A different magnet program (NWSA, Piedmont, etc.) Grades 6 – 8 • Your neighborhood School (Grades 6 – 8)

24. Child Development • Upper Elementary – Age of transition • Montessori Planes of Development [2nd Plane, Elementary] Ages 9 – 12 period of regression • Areas of growth: Abstraction; Mathematical and Science minds; Social Interaction • Areas of regression: Expression, Organization; Mood Moderation • Social “rollercoaster”

25. Contact Information Ms. Melanie melanie.byam@cms.k12.nc.us Melaniegreely.cmswiki.wikispaces.net

26. Welcome to Upper Elementary Parent Night 2014- 2015 Mrs. Melanie’s Class Room 4

27. Parent Information – 6th Grade

28. Parent Information Lunch Visits: • Sign up for visit in the office and must have a sticker. Student Observations: • Sign up in the office at least 24 hours in advance. • Courtesy email to the teacher in order to ensure students are there and a space is available for you. • No interactions with students or teachers. Communication: • Expect emails, newsletters, conference, etc. • Open communication and reinforcement and support of school expectations. Volunteering: • Be aware of room parent in order to get involved in gardening, practical life skills, field trips, etc. • Must have Level 4 status for working with students.

29. Expectations of the student

30. Homework Expectations • “What does Montessori homework look like? Homework runs a gamut of “real life” activities including chores, and using everyday activities as opportunities for learning skills and stimulating curiosity. Dr. Maria Montessori believed that children should be so inspired and enthused by school activity and presentations and that their interest will naturally carry over to after school hours.” (“Montessori Homework” AMI Publication 2006) Incomplete Work Reading: • Should be reading a minimum of 20-30 minutes each night. • Students should be filling out their reading log nightly. • Parents – please sign this weekly. Family and Community Time: • Spending time in the community doing service projects, doing independent work, and chores of the home (Practical Life).

31. In-Class Work Expectations • Challenging • Consistent • Best effort and quality • Organization • Follow directions • Completed in a timely manner/Time Management • Regular participation • Reflects a child’s passions • Work independently • Students can redo a work to achieve a grade they are happiest with • " This is the treasure we need today - helping the child become independent of us and make his way by himself…” • Maria Montessori • " A child needs freedom within limits. " • Maria Montessori

32. Quizzes • Students will have short quizzes weekly • Every other week: Vocabulary (in sentences) and math word problems • Students will practice vocabulary at school, but should also discuss challenging words with you so they can practice using them. – The goal is use of the words, not rote memorization • Every other week: Reading passages and comprehension questions

33. Work Rubric

34. Power School • Please look at power school bi-weekly to keep up with how your child is doing and works he/she may be missing • You will have passwords and log-ins for this

35. CMS Grading Scale • Tests and Projects must be 60% of grade • Independent Tasks are 40% of grade • A 100 – 93 - Excellent • B 92 – 85 - Good • C 84 – 77 – On Grade Level • D 76 – 70 – Below Grade Level • F Below 70 - Failing

36. Behavior Expectations • Respect (self, peers, teachers, environment) • Works consistently during MWC • Exhibits peace • Models leadership • Follows directions • Has faith in self and others • Works for continued growth and excellence • " Social grace, inner discipline and joy. These are the birthright of the human being who has been allowed to develop essential human qualities. “ • Maria Montessori

37. Behavior Matrix

38. Math 6th Grade • Timeline of Mathematics • Ratios and Proportional Relationships • The Number System • Negative Snake Game • Decimal Stamp game and checkerboard • Fraction Division and Skittles • Expressions and Equations • Snake algebra • Balanced Equations • Geometry • Equivalencies and Area/Surface Area • Statistics

39. Literacy • Advanced Grammar Materials • Sentence Analysis Materials • What students will learn and refine their study of: • Story Structure and Genre Study • Theme/Main Idea • Inferencing • Compare/contrast themes w/in a topic • Timeline of Writing • This is accomplished through: • Interactive Read Alouds • Overarching concepts and standards are introduced and modeled through whole group, interactive read alouds. • Guided Reading Groups • Students will explore and expand their reading skills. • Students will learn new ways to read and interpret a story. • Literature Text Book • This book explores various themes and big ideas through the use of short stories, poetry, and mixed media • Literature Circles • Students will work in a small group with a common text. • They will each have a role within the group. • They will dissect and discuss the novel they have been given to study.

40. Social Studies and Science

41. Social Studies Curriculum • US History • Timeline of Humans • Characteristics and development of civilizations • Timelines and Matrices • US Geography and Economy • Economic Geography Materials • Exploration • Research • US History through the Reconstruction • Timeline of US History • Math, science, literacy and practical life connections will be made throughout the curriculum.

42. Science Curriculum • Science as inquiry is reached through an understanding of the Scientific Method being applied within the following scientific disciplines: • Force and Motion • Matter: Properties and Change • Energy: Conservation and Transfer • Earth Systems, Processes and Structures • Structures and Functions of Living Organisms • Ecosystems • Evolution and Genetics

43. Specials

44. Middle School Info and Child Development

45. Middle School • Start looking at Middle Schools early and often • Visit schools and attend open houses. Speak with other students at that school as well as your own child • Learn what is expected at those schools as far as homework, prerequisites, etc. Chantilly Upper El is designed as a conduit to Sedgefield Montessori • Options for Middle Schools • Sedgefield Grades 7 – 8 • A different magnet program (NWSA, Piedmont, etc.) Grades 6 – 8 • Your neighborhood School (Grades 6 – 8)

46. Child Development • Upper Elementary – Age of transition • Montessori Planes of Development [2nd Plane, Elementary] Ages 9 – 12 period of regression • Areas of growth: Abstraction; Mathematical and Science minds; Social Interaction • Areas of regression: Expression, Organization; Mood Moderation • Social “rollercoaster”

47. Contact Information Ms. Melanie melanie.byam@cms.k12.nc.us Melaniegreely.cmswiki.wikispaces.net