Welcome to the Terrapin Team Open House!

1. Welcome to the Terrapin TeamOpen House! Mill Pond School

2. Welcome! Before we begin, please take a moment to find your child’s desk and read through the materials we have provided for you. In addition, your child has left you a brief note that you may respond to. Students love seeing your comments in the morning when they arrive. We will begin shortly. Thank you so much for coming this evening. Sincerely, Mrs. Pittorino

3. This Evening’s Agenda 6:30 – 7:00 Parent arrival Homeroom presentation, class routines, curriculum review and information session. Explore your child’s classroom work and respond to his/her postcard. 7:00 – 7:15 Meet other classroom teachers on the team (Mrs. Mercer-Math and Ms. Gowen-Social Studies)

4. TerrapinsTeamMembers • Karen Gowen • Angela Mercer • Joan Doherty • Rebecca Pittorino • Kristen Kilpatrick (self-contained)

5. Mrs. Pittorino’s Homeroom Schedule Monday: P.ETuesday: MusicWednesday: ArtThursday: P.E. Friday: Tech/Library Note: Orchestra, Band and Chorus are during Activity Period. Lessons are throughout the week and can be during class time. Your child must follow up with classroom teacher for missing work and assignments.

6. Science • Units of Study: • Plant Structures/Ecosystems • Rocks and Minerals • Simple Machines • Motion and Design

7. Science Continued • Inquiry-based Approach • Hands-on Experiments • Cooperative Learning • Science Showcase is scheduled for early spring

8. Social Studies Social Studies Alive! America’s Past TCI Online Program Topics Covered: • History and Geography of U.S. • Age of Discovery • Colonial Period (1607-1775) • American Revolution • Constitution & Early Republic

9. Social Studies Continued • Text/Online Text • On-line Challenges/Review • Interactive Student Notebook • Group Discussion • Study Guides • Projects and Research • Nonfiction Reading Strategies • Daily Geography

10. Reading • Guided Reading whole group, small group, partner • Independent “Just Right” Reading • Responding to Text • Comprehension Strategy Instruction • Fiction and Nonfiction Texts

11. Language Arts • Writing – Using and understanding the writing process • Grammar • Vocabulary Building • Spelling-Word Theirs Way

12. Math • Everyday Mathematics/On Core • Cooperative Learning • Family Letters • Math Facts Practice • Student Reference Books

13. Team Communication Open Communication = Success Means of Communication: • Assignment Book Notes • Website – www.mrspittorinosclassroom.com • Notes • Phone • Email • Virtual Backpack

14. Assignment Book: Don't leave school or home without it! • Parents should check assignment books to help build responsibility and organization. • Students are responsible for writing assignments into their assignment book. • Assignments are written on the board and updated daily. • Look for both short and long term assignments.

15. Miscellaneous • Homework expectations – 45- 75 minutes- Math daily- Independent reading (20 min. guideline)- Various short and long term projects • Daily Geography – Assigned weekly • Spelling –High Frequency Words • Literacy-Reading/Writing • TCI Social Studies reading/interactive notebook • Read and Relax • 4th Friday of every month beginning September 27th • Mugs • Donations welcome • Conferences Priority will be given to those students whom we feel would benefit from early intervention and contact between home and school. You may request a conference with the team at any time and we will do our best to accommodate you promptly. • Dates:. October 17 (evening), Oct 30 and Nov 1 (half day)

16. We look forward to working with you and your child this school year.