Mrs. Mariani’sClassroom Handbook

Indian Prairie

2015-2016Room 19

Indian Prairie Elementary School651 Village Rd., Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Voice Mail Only (815) 356-3300 E-Mail: camariani@d47.org

http://home.d47.org/ips/camariani

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Table of ContentsIntroduction Letter………………………………………………3Schedule …………………………………………………………4Curriculum Overview……………………………….…………5-6Classroom Management ……………………………,…………..7Folders……………………………………………………………8Reminders………………………………………………………..9

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Dear Parents,

Welcome to Crystal Lake School District 47’s self-contained cross-categorical classroom (AKA Cross-Cat or CCP). This means that currently, other than Fine Arts, lunch, and related services, your child will be spending his/her entire school day in my classroom. Our classroom currently consists of 11 students in grades 3rd-5th. In addition to myself, there are also three paraprofessionals and one interpreter in our classroom. Mrs. DeJeus, Mrs. Sundberg, Mrs. Starr, and Mrs. Simons.

In addition to teaching the required academic curriculum, my goal is to help inspire your children to become good citizens, lifelong learners, and caring, ethical individuals. In order to achieve this, we must consistently communicate with each other to assist the students along this challenging path. I invite you to get involved in your child’s learning in any way you deem appropriate. I look forward to collaborating with you regarding your child’s development. The following information should answer any questions you have regarding the educational and social climate of the classroom. If any questions or concerns should arise, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Sincerely,

Mrs. Mariani

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The daily schedule is listed below.

Please note that there are days in which related service specialists come into our classroom to work with small groups or specific individuals. If you have specific questions regarding your child’s related service minutes, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Daily Schedule:

9:00……………………..Writing10:10……………...…… Fine Arts11:10……………..……. Language Arts12:45……………..……..Lunch1:35……………...…….. Math2:30……………...…….. Science/Social Studies3:00…………..……….. Assignment Notebooks

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Curriculum Overview-Elementary Cross-Categorical

Program

The overall goal of the District 47 Elementary Cross-Categorical Program is to provide eligible

students with the least restrictive program option available to accelerate their academic progress. The program objective is to follow the Illinois State Standards. Regular district curriculum would be introduced and used as appropriate, but would be considered supplementary to the individualized curriculum targeted at the skill deficits. The program has an academic focus in the areas of reading, writing, and math with instruction delivered within a small group setting. Science and Social Studies themes would be woven into the language arts and math instruction. Speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social work services are provided as indicated on the students’ IEPs. Students are mainstreamed for lunch and Fine Arts, as appropriate, with paraprofessional support as needed.

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Below is a brief overview of concepts your students may be working on throughout the school year.

WRITING Choosing and expressing their own ideas Using descriptive and detailed word choice Using organization in writing (beginning, middle, end) Using the writing process Types of writing

a. Narrative, Expository, Persuasive, Story, Poetry

READING1. Phonics2. Guided Reading

Understanding and responding to text

Using reading strategies to decode text (pictures, meaning, letter-sound cues)

Looking for information in text Reading a variety of text (fiction, non-fiction,

poetry, etc.) Using word skills (rhyming, word families, word

chunks, beginning/middle/ending sounds)3. Comprehension Skills

inferring asking/answering questions determining importance (non-fiction)

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synthesizing information

MATHEMATICS- Excel Mathematics Math computations Fractions Time Money Word Problems Measurement

Classroom Management

I set high behavioral and academic standards for all students, because I know that they are extremely capable of meeting my expectations. My expectations include: demonstrating personal responsibility

through quality work in and out of school, speaking with respect to teachers and students, and exhibiting 100% effort by participating and staying focused in class. We will work each day to develop strong character traits and academic habits.

As an incentive and motivator to meeting my expectations, I run a token economy in my classroom. Throughout the day, the students have the opportunity to earn Mariani Money. If students are demonstrating outstanding behaviors, acts of kindness, helping a friend, immediately following directions, etc., then they may earn Mariani Money. On Friday, if he/she has earned a pre-determined money amount, he/she will be able to ‘buy’ a

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prize. Students may save their Mariani Money for bigger purchase items.

Folders- There are 2 important folders that your child will bring home each day. Please make sure they are sent back to school the next day.

1. Communication NotebookIn order to keep us on the same page, please use your child’s

communication notebook daily. This folder must come back to school everyday!

Notes- If you have important notes, please write/send them in the YELLOW COMMUNICATION NOTEBOOK. You may also receive News Letters, or other important school notes through this folder.

Weekly Reflection (behavior log) – Everyday students will fill out their behavior log. If he/she did not have any behavior issues, there will be a positive note/ stamp in the box for the day. If there were behavior issues, those behaviors will be noted in the box to make you aware of what is occurring at school. Please initial the box everyday, so I know that you have seen the reflection sheet and send the sheet back to school in the take home folder.

2. HOMEWORK Folder

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If a student has homework it will be found in their homework folder. Please be sure to check their assignment book daily and encourage students to complete homework to reinforce new skills.

Helpful Reminders

AttendanceIf your child is going to be absent, please

call the school by 9:00 am the day of the absence at 815-459-2124. If your child is late for school, you need to sign him/her in at the office.

It is VERY important that you also call transportation at 815-455-0558 to let them know they do not need to pick up your child.

OfficeThe Indian Prairie School office is open

from 7:30 am until 4:30 pm. If you have any questions regarding events or activities, please do not hesitate to call the school office at 815-459-2124.

VolunteersI’d love if you’d volunteer to help in our

classroom or at a classroom party. I will need a parent willing to be in charge of organizing and helping out at our three holiday parties. If

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you are interested in volunteering, please let me know. Thanks in advance for your time!

Contact MeVoice Mail Only (815) 356-3300Email: camariani@d47.orgWebsite: http://home.d47.org/ips/camariani/

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