Mrs. Nieratka Room 2 12 knieratka @carteretschools

1. Mrs. Nieratka Room 212 knieratka@carteretschools.org

2. Language Arts/ Reading • Focus is on reading comprehension • Answers must be supported with evidence from the text • Building reading stamina is key- Mandatory 20 minutes of independent reading each night • Reading logs require a signed note to ensure reading has been done • We are working on increasing reading levels and the love of reading.

3. Language Arts/ Writing • All students will be required to write 3 paragraph essays • Writing skills will include: writing good topic and closing sentences, sentence variety, transition words, word choice, figurative language, dialogue, and sensory adjectives • Spelling, grammar, and mechanics are addressed through the LA program and assessed through the child’s writing • We will be focusing on Narrative, Informative, Descriptive and Persuasive essays.

4. Math • Multiplication and division is the main focus- mastery of facts is essential for math success • Other topics to be covered include: addition and subtraction, fractions, quadrilaterals, place value, elapsed time, measuring to the nearest ¼ inch, data and graphs, area, perimeter, and problem solving • Students will be required to show all of their work and be able to explain HOW they arrived at their answers

5. Science/ Social Studies • Science topics to be covered include: Story Skies: Earth and Space; Power of Flower; Animals Through Time; Invisible Forces. Science will be taught and graded in marking periods 2 and 4. • Social studies topics to be covered include: understanding communities, American communities in history, communities and their geography, earning a living, celebrations and festivals, and governing ourselves. Social studies will be taught in marking periods 1 and 3. • Many non-fiction articles will be read throughout the year, both in the classroom as well as for homework, covering many scienceand social studies topics.

6. Homework • All homework is review and will be given Monday-Friday • All homework assignments will be copied into the student’s agenda book • Please initial the agenda book each night after you have seen that the work has been completed • Send in a brief note if, for some reason, your child was unable to complete their homework • Lunch detention and/or after school detention will be assigned to those who miss homework assignments • Neglect in completing homework will result in lower report card grades

7. Parent Envelopes • Please sign and return the envelope each time it is sent home • Papers with Ds or Fs need to be signed and returned. Please don’t return any other papers.

8. Friday Journals Each Friday, your child will write to you in his or her Friday journal telling you about their week. Please read, sign, and respond. Please make sure your child returns it to school each Monday.

9. Behavior Expectations All students are expected to: • Pay attention • Follow directions • Try their best • Keep their hands and feet to themselves • Respect others’ ideas and opinions Rudeness, disrespect, inconsideration of others, and disregard of classroom and school rules will not be tolerated. Detention will be assigned, the office will be notified, and classroom privileges will be taken away.

10. Important Information • Please be sure your child comes to school on time - Students enter the classroom at 8:30 and first period begins at 8:46. • Keep phone numbers current • Grades and current averages can be accessed through the Parent Portal at www.carteretschools.org • Remember- your child will only be released to the names indicated on the dismissal list. If you want someone else to pick up your child please send in a note indicating their name. • Sending in food for birthday or holiday celebrations is prohibited. You may send in a pencil, eraser, etc. if you wish. • Breakfast will be available in the classroom from 8:30 to 8:40 with permission from the parent or guardian.