Mrs. Naples, Mrs. DeRosa, Mrs. Verrone2015-2016

To Third Grade

http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/ANaples/

OverviewEssential QuestionsClassroom Policies/ExpectationsCurriculum OverviewRTIMCASQuestions

Who is teaching my child?

• Mrs. Naples ,Mrs. DeRosa ,and Mrs. Veronne in an inclusion model classroom

• Mrs. Naples- mother, teacher with 13 years of experience, Master in Education, aunt of 11

• I can be described as consistent, fair, organized, compassionate, silly

Who is teaching my child?

• Mrs. DeRosa- New Yorker at heart, has worked in education for the past 9 years, Masters in Special Education, mother, enjoy traveling, and music lover.

• I can be described as positive, understanding, fair, flexible, and goofy.

• Mrs. Verrone- has been at Clough for 5 years, 17 and 14 year old sons are graduates of Clough, switched careers from banking to follow passion of working with children

• I can be described as caring, nice, serious, and helpful

What is an inclusion classroom?• Our classroom is a community of diverse students. We have students who are

on all different levels and have all different learning styles. We set up our classroom to make learning accessible for all students.

• We do this through lots of groupings. We teach in whole group(24 students), in split groups (12 students), in small groups 4-6 students, in peer groups, and sometimes 1 on 1! We modify groups as needed so can help every student succeed to their fullest ability!

• We make accommodations for any student who needs them( noise canceling headphones, preferential seating, repeating directions, visual checklists, manipulatives etc.

• Some of our students have Individual Education Plans or IEPs and need certain modifications to help them have success with the general curriculum( such as reduced work on a page, calculating with smaller numbers, math reference sheets).

• With this model we are able to give each student a more tailored education!

How do we make students responsible for their learning?

• Students are told “I can” statements at the start of each lesson so they know what they are expected to learn at the end of the lesson.

• Example : 4.OA.3 “I can use mathematical operations and variables to solve word problems with and without remainders.”

• Students are not given all the answers; we let them make discoveries from their mistakes

• Students need more peer collaboration; students are teachers; teachers are guiding not leading

• Students are asked to redo work that shows they do not fully understand the concept( reteaching)

Classroom Policies

Class Rules:1. Respect Everyone Listen when others are talking

2. Raise Your Hand3.Keep Bodies in Control No running, hitting, shouting

4. Do Your Best5. Have Fun!

Classroom Management:• Class Dojo: This is a digital classroom management system where

students are rewarded for their behaviors with a point system. Students can get points for doing positive behaviors such as raising their hand, being respectful, being on tasks, participating, following directions, etc. Students can also lose a point for being disrespectful, being off task, talking out of turn.

• Students hear the points bleep as they are rewarded and it in turn motivates other students to follow their positive lead.

• • We show students their points throughout the day as well as sometimes

verbally say, “John is doing a great job being on task.” We do not keep the points screen up all day so it doesn’t become a distraction.

• The points are reported to you daily so you can have an idea of what your child is doing in class. It also helps lead discussion with your child about what they did well or need to work on.

• Physical altercations or instances of bullying type behavior will be sent directly to the principal

• Occasionally I do keep students in for recess to complete class work that they did not finish in the allotted time

Homework• Students will have homework 4 nights a week (Monday- Thursday)

• I do not assign homework on the weekends unless a student has a late or missing assignment

• Most assignments will be due the following day. We always review it that day in class so we know what students are struggling with.

• All homework will be written daily in the student’s agenda by the student and checked by a teacher

• Please check over the agenda each night with your child to ensure the homework is done or to look for overdue/missing work that may have been added

• Homework will take an average of an 30 minutes a night.

• Homework is your child’s responsibility. Notes saying the homework couldn’t get done due to soccer practice etc. will not be accepted.

Late/ Missing Homework:• I will not be accepting late homework this year. If a student doesn’t have their homework it

will be recorded on their Dojo points. (absences are an exception)

• Students are graded on the report card for homework, so if they are consistently not turning in homework it will be reflected on their report card. Students will also lose recess time if it is a persistent problem.

Bathrooms • Students are given multiple opportunities to use the

bathrooms throughout the day. When students work on morning work 9:00-9:30, snack time 10:30-10:45, during independent work time, on the way to and from specials, during lunch, during end of day/dismissals. I encourage students to use the bathrooms during these times.

• Students are asked not to use the bathroom during large group instruction, tests. or when getting directions. If there is an urgent case I do make exceptions. If it becomes a daily occurrence or an avoidance technique students are told they are unable to go during instruction time.

Classwork• Students are given a checklist on the front board for

every independent work time to help them visually keep track of what is expected.

• • They also have pending assignments and reminders

of what to do when they finish assigned work on the “Things to Finish” board

• If students do not finish assigned work by the due date they will have to work on it at recess or sometimes be given additional homework.

MATH• We use the Investigations and Engage NY programs along with supplementing other

skills to meet all Common Core standards

• We follow a 4 station rotation 4 days a week: 1 station is lesson, 1 station is computer practice, 1 station is reteach or enrichment, 1 station is worksheet practice of the day’s lesson. Groups are changed based on what reteach/enrichment skill is being taught

• There are parent hardcover handbooks that can be signed out as a reference to assist in lessons that have been taught using the Investigations method and the Engage NY lessons are all online

• All state standards are on the school website. Report cards have been redone to align to the Common Core

• Homework will consist of Investigations & Engage NY lessons and review of other skills( addition practice, rounding, multiplication facts etc.) as well as IXL lessons

English Language Arts(Reading, Writing, Spelling)

• We are using the Wonders by McGraw Hill reading program again this year

• It is entirely aligned to the Common Core• Weekly themes centered around an Essential

Question, vocabulary words used in all materials, reading strategies are embedded in weekly mini lesson, every other week genre focus switches from fiction to non fiction related to the same topic, leveled readers

• Spelling is leveled based on a inventory of spelling stages and there is a weekly spelling packet

Spelling

• Each student was given a placement test, word lists are differentiated as well as weekly homework

• Pretest will be Monday, Final test will be Friday. • Lists will be sent home Monday. Student word

cards and a menu will be sent home starting next week. Students should pick 4 of the 7 activities to practicing words nightly. Signature sheet gets returned Friday.

Writing

• Students will be participating in a writing workshop model 4 times a week. They will be taught a 10 min. mini lesson, then either work independently, with a peer or in a small group, finally they will meet with a share group at the end of the period

• Students will be given quick 10 minute writes 2-3 times a week to practice their prompt style writing

• Students are also writing about their reading, and about science and/or social studies topics

• Our expectations are students will be able to write 1 cohesive paragraph independently by the end of term 1 and build to 3 independent paragraphs by term 3

Science and Social Studies

• Science:• Rocks and Minerals• Space/Solar System• Weather• However, the standards are changing and may adjust in

January•

• Social Studies:• American Revolution• New England Geography• The major focus is the state of Massachusetts: MA Geography,

Wampanoags, Pilgrims, Puritans, Local History, Famous People

Massachusetts Project

• A scrapbook of Massachusetts• A menu of activities worth a variety of points

needing to total 100 points (20 bonus points for creativity and neatness)

• Will be due June 10th- packet and parent signature sheet that you are aware of project will be sent home tomorrow

• Often there is an enrichment program offered after school called “Massachusetts Project” to assist students who battle their parents at home

How do we Respond to Intervention?

• Once a week students will have a character education class on Wednesday. During this time we will be working with students on targeted skills.

• The groups will change as the targeted skills change

• We also work in class to create re-teaching and skill targeted instruction as part of our day

•

MCAS

• Welcome to State testing!!!!!!!• This is the first year your child will take state

testing. We will walk them(and you) through this as we get closer

• Dates: end of March -2 days of Reading, middle of May-2 days of Math

• Look for updates on the class website for dates, helpful hints and classroom preparation

Frequently Asked Questions• How can I best reach you to talk about my child?• The fastest way is email. However, I am available to meet before school most mornings if you would like to

meet in person. Please do not leave a voicemail, I do not check it.

• How do I help with my child’s math?• Review corrected papers that go home. Use the parent handbook to help guide as needed. Have them work

on IXL skills nightly.

• Can I bring in a special treat for my child’s birthday?• Yes, there should be enough for 24 students, and no nuts. Also, paper napkins or plates are appreciated!

• Can I send in invitations for a birthday party?• No, I emphatically enforce this rule. The worst feeling for a child is to see others getting an invitation and

not being included. These must be mailed from home. The students addresses are given to you for this purpose on our class contact list.

• I am going on vacation for a week, can my child have the work they will miss?• No, it does not make sense to give students work they have not learned or we may not actually get to while

you are gone. There is a strong chance they will have to do work when they return after they have been caught up and since there is no way to make it all up your child will just miss some skills that were taught. You can always have your child read nightly, write about their adventures and do IXL skills!

• Reminder: I also need a room parent!