Back to School Power Point Presentation

1. Back to School Power Point Presentation Mrs. Kahrer’s Class Room 25

2. Welcome • Welcome to the 2012-2o13 school year at RVS! • This power point presentation will familiarize you with our classroom academic structure, our social goals, and the rationale for the approaches used in instruction. • I have been teaching in Hazlet Township for 12 years and have lived in Hazlet for almost 30 years. • I am a certified Special Education and General Education teacher and am currently completing a graduate degree as a Certified Reading Specialist.

3. Classroom Policies • Academic Goals • Homework • Students will have homework most nights, with the exception of Fridays. Students are expected to complete all homework and return it to school the next day. • Please sign the student planner nightly, indicating that homework has been completed. • Attendance • If students are absent, they will have two days in which to make up work for each school day missed. • Effort • Students are expected to put forth their best effort at all times. I do not expect students to complete each and every assignment by the time the period ends, however, I do expect that they will be working toward that goal. • Unfinished classwork will be sent home for homework if it is determined that the student was not making good use of class time.

4. Classroom Policies • Social goals • Respect • Respect for ourselves and others is the central theme of our classroom guidelines for social interaction. If we follow this one simple guideline, there will be very few social issues in our room. • Friendship • We brainstormed and created our Friendship Contract together. We agreed to treat each other kindly with words and actions. • Rewards • There are three different reward systems currently in place: our school-wide “Bucket” and “Thoroughbred Bucks” programs, as well as our classroom “Marbles” program. • Natural Consequences of Actions • It is my firm belief that children want to make wise choices. However, in the event of an unwise choice, students will always be given one reminder that they need to change direction. If they do not do so, we will discuss the reason behind their unwise choicesduring “Free Time”.

5. Reading Program • SLIP – Special Literacy and Intervention Program • Phonics • Our phonics program is based on the Wilson Reading System. Students learn the decoding and word attack process through a pattern of letter/sound association and syllable rules. • Comprehension • Our comprehension program utilizes Project Read strategies and Reading A-Z leveled libraries to assist students in learning and applying comprehension skills and strategies. • Read-Alouds • During a Read-Aloud, the teacher models fluency in reading and how students should be thinking about their reading as they read. • Guided Group Reading • Guided reading is undertaken in small groups where students can work together to practice similar skills. • Independent Reading • Independent reading allows students to practice decoding and comprehension skills and self-monitor their usage. • Rationale • Each component of our reading program is researched based and conducted on a daily basis.

6. Spelling Program • Wilson Reading Systems Based • The WADE assessment is administered to determine the level of the Wilson program on which students need to begin. • Students are placed in groups with peers who will be working on similar word patterns and syllabication. • The Wilson Reading System is research based and utilized on a daily basis. • Classwork • Students will write sentences utilizing their spelling words . • Students will also engage in word play with their word patterns and multi-sensory activities. • Homework • Monday – Write words 3 times each • Tuesday - Draw and label spelling words • Wednesday – Write words in alphabetical order • Thursday – Correct spelling sentences and study for Test • Assessment • A weekly spelling test will be given on each Friday.

7. Writing Program • Writer’s Workshop • Writer’s Workshop is a program that encourages students to start with an idea that results in a published written work sample. We combine the practices outlined by Lucy Calkins and Ralph Fletcher to achieve desired results. • Prewriting – Brainstorming and graphic organizers • Rough Draft – Use of organizer to put our thoughts on paper • Revision – Read draft and clarify or add thoughts • Editing – Make corrections for grammar and spelling • Final Published Work – Present to class, place in portfolio • Framing Your Thoughts • Framing Your Thoughts is a component of Project Read that instructs students on how to get the most out of the sentences they write. It focuses on sentence structure and complexity. • Writer’s Workshop and Project Read are research based and conducted on a daily basis.

8. Math Program • Two math programs are used in tandem as needed in the classroom. • Everyday Math • Everyday Math is the basis of our mathematics curriculum. • It is a spiraling program that presents information without expecting students to master it immediately as they will “spiral” back to it and revisit their learning within a few days. • Touch Math • Touch Math offers an excellent supplement to the Everyday Math program for students who need reinforcement in the areas of computation. • Touch Math builds counters into the numbers so students can learn to add, subtract, multiply and divide without reliance upon fingers, number lines, or charts. • Homework • Students will have math homework every night, Monday through Thursday, unless I have presented new material and do not feel that they have a strong enough understanding to practice the strategy for homework.

9. Science, Health, Social Studies • Science • Our science program is a hands-on program that relies on student participation and discovery that is guideded by the teacher as the basis for their learning. • Students work in groups with the vast array of materials that accompany this highly structured, but engaging program. • Health • Our health program utilizes a textbook and various activities to assist students in learning about health, safety, and the need to care for our bodies. • Social Studies • 3rd Grade students will be learning about what comprises a community and about various communities throughout the world. • 4th Grade students will utilize the knowledge they have learned from grades 1 through 3 and apply it to their home state of New Jersey. We will explore history, geography, and government.

10. Technology • Classroom Resources • Smart Board • Classroom Computers • Ipad • Internet Access • Building Resources • Netbooks • Computer Lab • Library Computers • Ipads • Internet Access • Large Screen TV in Library • Thank You • Thanks to Mr. Verderosa , the Board of Education, the voters of Hazlet, and our PTO for bringing the following technological resources to our building: Smart Boards in every classrooms, Ipads, Netbooks, Updated computers in Computer Lab and Library, and Large Screen TV in Library. These resources are allowing us to grow in tandem with the world.

11. Thank You • As we close, I would like to thank you in advance for the following: • For your attention during this presentation; • For your support in ensuring that homework is completed on a timely basis; • For contacting me directly and immediately if you have any questions or concerns regarding the classroom or your child’s education; and, most importantly, • For trusting me to care for and instruct your children throughout their day here. I am looking forward to sharing a wonderful year with you and your children!