Parent Information NightParent Information Night

• Welcome

Achieving our dreams…Achieving our dreams…

• My dream is to become a teacher. I want to teach kids about everything. I want to give kids ideas. I want to be able to tell kids how they are doing. I am going to do that by going to college and watching my teachers to get ideas.

• My dream for my future is to make a book series like J.K.Rowling.• I want to play on a soccer team like the Rapids or the U.S.A.

soccer team.• I want to sell crafts in a craft store. I will make pot holders and

sell them to help people cook.• I want to work at the Children’s Hospital because I want to help

kids.• My dream is to be a policeman and to be super smart and have

nice handwriting.• I really want to become a vet. I can already identify worms! I

will enjoy the smiles when I tell people that their pet is okay.• I want to live in a beautiful house and be a nurse and have a

good life.

8:36-9:10 Morning Routine8:36-9:10 Morning Routine

• Attendance

• Journal Writing

• Morning Meeting

• Everyday Counts Calendar

9:00-10:20 Reading9:00-10:20 Reading

• We will start with a whole class lesson where I will read a book and model a reading strategy or thinking strategy.• Your children will use these strategies

through the lenses of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

9:10-10:30 Reading9:10-10:30 Reading

• Your child will be able to choose a book to read and practice using the thinking strategy. I welcome books from home.

• While some children are reading, I will meet with small groups of children and confer individually providing guided instruction.

• Your child will write about their reading, either reflecting on their use of a strategy or explaining their thinking about their reading.

10:30-10:45 Snack/Read Aloud10:30-10:45 Snack/Read Aloud

• The highlight of many a child’s morning!

• Unless they don’t like their snack.

• I always choose a read aloud book with a purpose in mind.

10:45-11:15 Word Work OR Integrated Studies

10:45-11:15 Word Work OR Integrated Studies

• Words Their Way: differentiated program which teaches word specific knowledge through sorting words by pattern, morpheme, or root.

• Students are grouped according to developmental spelling levels based on an initial assessment and teacher observation.

• Each study proceeds for a two week cycle. Students are assessed on their progress at the end of two weeks.

10:45-11:15 Science/Social Studies

10:45-11:15 Science/Social Studies

• Most science and social studies units will have a writing component.

• For example, as we learn about biomes, we are studying the desert. As we learn about this particular biome, we are creating an informational text which teaches readers about elements of this biome.

Essential Learnings: Social Studies

Essential Learnings: Social Studies

• Examine contemporary and international issues

• Understand local history

• Understand the relationships between physical and political geography

• Relate immigration patterns to the Denver area

• Explore colonial America and immigration patterns to understand past, present, and future

• Understand the structure of our government and its influence on citizens and the economic environment

Essential Learnings: ScienceEssential Learnings: Science

• Properties of Matter

• Plants: systems and cycles

• Weather systems

• Water Cycle

• Solar System

• Habitats and biomes

• Simple Machines

For Example: Integrated UnitFor Example: Integrated Unit

• Desert biome: Define habitat, ecosystem, biome Plants (life cycle of plant, phototsynthesis,

interdepence) Native American tribes: cultural

understanding, tribes of the southwest and Colorado

Weather: patterns, precipitation cycle, climate

11:15-12:00 Specials11:15-12:00 Specials

• We are on a three day rotation with A Days are P.E. B Days are Music C Days are Art

Technology is not a part of the rotation. We have time for technology set aside each Monday morning at 10:15. We will also have three stations in our classroom and are using the laptops and lab time frequently as we integrate tech tools into our learning.

12:00-12:45 Lunch12:00-12:45 Lunch

• Finally• Trying out a new system: recess first.

How is this going?

12:45-1:00 Vocabulary12:45-1:00 Vocabulary

• Explicit instruction in “tier two” words purposefully selected for their utility and portability.

• Integrating new vocabulary into writing and speaking is necessary.

• “Text Talk” materials sequence vocabulary instruction and revisit words throughout the year.

1:00-2:15 Math1:00-2:15 Math

• Everyday Math• Spiraling curriculum based on learning

goals• Here is an example of what you will see as

the first page of a math test.• Homework sheets will come home daily

from Monday through Thursday. At the beginning of each unit, I will send home a family letter. It gives the answers to all the home links and explains what your child is learning.

12:15-1:30 Math12:15-1:30 Math

• I want to give you and your family as much flexibility as possible.

• Home Links are for review and your information. They are usually short and fun activity you can do with your child.

• Your child can learn responsibility by returning with the home link the next day.

• We will use the home link to discuss what we did and answer any questions.

• I will collect and mark the home links and return them.

2:15-3:00 Writing2:15-3:00 Writing

• Workshop format: Whole group lesson Application of concept in own work Independent writing/conferring Sharing

•Materials: Units of StudyDistrict Rubrics/curriculum matchExemplars

Standardized AssessmentStandardized Assessment

• Criterion Based CSAP February and March

• Norm Referenced MAP testing in Reading and Math, three times

per year.

• School Assessments DRA II Writing Prompt Spelling Goal setting/tracking

What are my responsibilities?

What are my responsibilities?

• Seven, eight and nine year olds need at least ten hours of sleep a night.

• A diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables is brain food. Research has linked a healthy diet to improved behavior

and learning.• Homework. I would like to try to change our thinking from

homework to study time. Even if students don’t have any assigned work, they can have study time. Having a consistent time and place with all possible materials needed helps children stay focused on learning.

• Study time activities include 20 minutes of reading at least four times per week as well as:

• Everyday Math Home Links.• Letter writing to family and friends• Math or logic games• Spelling games or word sorts• Writing

What are my responsibilities?

What are my responsibilities?

Volunteers

• Field trips, filing, and photocopies • Guest Reader!!!• If you have the opportunity to come regularly, working with

students is helpful, too.• If you want to work with students, I can work with you on a

time and curricular area you would like to do. Making Words Editing Writing Math Games

• Art Start• Party Planner

How does classroom management work?How does classroom management work?

• We learn best from mistakes. Mistakes give us an opportunity to learn. So…

• You might see a Learning Opportunity Notice come home. It is very similar to the school wide Think It Over with one difference. The student completes the form at school. I found that there tended to be a disconnect on an important issue for me. What will you do next time so this doesn’t happen again. If we complete it at school I and really focus in on that issue.

• I will write what happened and what the school consequences were so you can decide what to do at home.

• I try to use natural consequences as much as possible.• Positive Reinforcement• Whole class and individually.• Whole school and class rules are linked to Keys to Success.

How can we communicate?

How can we communicate?

• E-mail is the best way to communicate with me.• tmccandless@lps.k12.co.us• I check my voicemail at the end of each day. So if you need to get

a message to me during the day call the office at 303-347-4500.• My voicemail number is 303-734-3221.• I have an open door policy. This is your room too. I might not

always have time to talk to you when you first arrive.• Conferences are twice a year but we can meet any time you or I

see a need.

Final Thoughts…Final Thoughts…

• Effective Schools Research Clear School Mission Instructional Leadership Frequent monitoring of student progress Opportunity to learn and student time on task Safe and orderly environment Home-School Relationship

Thank you!