I would like to formally welcome both you and your students into my classroom for the2015-2016 School year at Seven Bar Elementary School. Your child's education is of the utmost importance to me, as I know it is to you. In order to keep you informed of what is happening in the classroom and to also provide further resources and reminders that can be used at home; I have developed a classroom website. The website is located at mrsnunez.weebly.com (If you are here, welcome). I will be using the website throughout the school year to post on-going information about classroom and school events, information pertaining to lessons and classroom content, as well as links to helpful websites and additional resources that will help to reinforce the content we will cover in the classroom.
There are three different pages that can be navigated from the website, I will include information about the classroom in this initial email; but the information is always accessible on the website.
The HOMEPAGE will have school-wide events and classroom information including the classroom discipline policy and links. The links include the scholastic book orders and Class Dojo website (a student behavior website that can be accessed by parents). There will also be a link to “signupgenius,” an online invitation system for parent teacher conferences, field trips and any extra classroom supplies we may need.
Teacher Contact- One of the best ways to contact me is via email. My email address is [email protected]. I usually check my email at school every day and I typically try to reply within 24 hours. Sometimes it will take two days if there were a lot of meetings before and after school. If you forget my email or if you are unable to log into outlook there is a contact section on the classroom website that links directly to my email.
Class Schedule – The class schedule is on the homepage with "specials" (PE, Art, Library) and with subject times if you are ever wondering what your student will miss if they have to leave class early.
Class Dojo and Classroom Discipline- Students have their names written down on cards. All students start their names on green everyday. Green is for students who are on task and working well in teams. This system is based on the 1, 2, 3 magic system. When student are off task for any inappropriate behaviors (excessive talking, disrespectful attitude etc.) they need to move their name down to the next color. Each color has a specific consequence.
BLUE- is a warning. The consequence is just a reminder to behave.
YELLOW- Student receives a warning and the behavior is documented in my notes and on the Class Dojo Site.
ORANGE- Student needs to sit out for 5 minutes and write down their behavior to be signed in their student agendas by parents and on Dojo.
RED- Student is sent to another teacher or to the office depending on severity of the action. Parents are called, students lose 2 dojo points and will sit out all of Friday Fun.
I keep track of student behaviors in teams and individually using a program called Class Dojo. Each student has an individual account and a log in number that will be sent home. Students receive 1 individual point for every 5 team points they earn in class. These points are accrued by each student and can be used by students for Friday Fun activities. Students can also lose points for behavioral issues and missing homework assignments. I keep a written log of all the times student has moved to blue, yellow, orange or red. I make a copy of this sheet to hand out with progress reports and report cards. The Class Dojo Codes will be going home soon so that you can login to track your child’s behavior in the classroom.
Popcorn and a Movie Parties- Along with the individual class dojo points I award team points in the class for cooperative learning. As an entire class if each team get more than 25 points each in one day, the students are a "cooperative learning class” letter on the popcorn and a movie sign. I move the little film strip to a new letter each time and when the class completely spells out popcorn and a movie, the entire class gets to watch a movie. I try to tie the movie into curriculum instruction and a use movies that are based on books I have read aloud to the class. A parent letter and permission slip will be sent home that allows students to see PG movies in the class. Please read over the possible list of movies and sign the permission form so we can watch a movie at the end of the trimester if they have earned one.
Student Data Binders- I send home some graded pages home with the student. Most of the graded pages in the classroom are kept in a data binder by the students and are graphed on charts that match the different sections on the Standards Based Progress Report. Each section of the binder is a section on the report card; in the correct order. Reading, Writing, Study Skills, Social Studies, Science, and Math. At the end of the trimester students fill out a goal sheet. They analyze their data from the trimester and look for weaknesses and strengths, and use that information to create new goals for the next trimester. The format of the data binders is designed so students can show parents their growth quickly over time and also share their assessments. Students are able to explain what areas they need to work on the most and how people at home can help them. I use these data binders at parent teacher conferences, but students can take home their data binders to show parents at any time. This allows students to better understand that their data binder is a direct reflection of their report card. This also allows students to see progress throughout the year.
I usually keep homework in a filing cabinet in the classroom in case a student says they turned in homework but I had not added the homework page to my gradebook. This way I can go back and see what homework was missing. I usually do not put a grade on homework because I am grading homework pages so fast. I use homework to help me create my intervention groupings in math and sometimes in reading. I look at the students work and take notes for students who are not understanding the content. For students who are understanding the content I file their pages. Please make sure your child is turning in their homework! I know that a specific grade may not be evident on the math pages, but I really consider math homework valuable information to me as a teacher to determine who needs help and if a child is chronically missing homework I am chronically missing out on the opportunity to help.
Scholastic Book Orders- Orders are placed every two weeks. I would appreciate a parent volunteer coming in to help place orders.
Classroom Newsletter/Information- The second tab on the webpage is my NEWS/BLOG tab which will be set up in a blog comment/response fashion. I will try to update the newsletter every other week or possibly weekly depending on lesson changes. The Math, Reading, Grammar and Social Studies/Science links will be updated when classroom content and lessons change. These tabs will have student links and information. If a research project is assigned I try to describe the project on the webpage with visual examples and pictures. The content of this letter will be uploaded to that page as well in case it is lost. I try to remember to copy all the information into an email that is sent out to the parent email list.
Agendas- This year each child should have already purchased an agenda as part of his or her fourth grade supplies. It is your child's responsibility to write down his/her assignments each day, take the agenda home, and then bring it back signed by a parent or guardian. The agendas are routinely used to help students prepare for middle school. Help your child develop an independent and responsible attitude toward homework by providing a set time and a quiet place for students to complete homework.
Homework- Please help monitor your child's homework assignments by making sure they are completed neatly and turned in on time.
READING- Students should be reading every night Monday through Thursday and writing a brief summary each night. There is a separate reading homework log that the student completes after he or she reads a 4th grade level book. They are expected to read 40 books by the end of 4th grade. Students should have at least 15 books read at the end of every trimester to be able to attend the end of the trimester party.
MATH- This year APS has purchased a new math program called Stepping Stones. The distribution center is still in the process of distributing materials to the schools. Homework will be assigned depending on the completion of math lessons during the day. Once we get out new Stepping Stones Common Core Math materials I will let you know how the homework will be implemented.
Math Facts should also be practiced often. Students need to know them mentally and quickly.
SOCIAL STUDIES- Students will be memorizing the 50 states and capitals using a song that is available on the classroom webpage. Students only need to practice 1 line per week and they need to know the states and their capitals, not the locations.
SPELLING- The Spelling list for the week will be handed out on Mondays. The page is due back on Friday and the spelling test will also take place on Fridays.
SPECIAL PROJECTS- Each trimester I try to give the students a larger research project that needs to be presented to the class. These projects help teach the students how to research and how to manage time for larger projects. These qualities are very important in order to prepare students for the 5th grade and middle school.
Classroom Wishlist- There are some items that I am asking for parents to donate to the classroom.
1. Small Prizes for our prize box. Party favors that are found in the Walmart aisle are good for our prize box.
2. Black Expo Dry Erase Markers! Each students has an individual dry erase board. The workroom markers last only about 2-3 weeks at the most. If your child wants their own set of dry erase markers I would suggest getting 1 or 2. Some students choose to get a package of dry erase markers and share them throughout the year in their groups.
3. Paper Towels- The paper towels provided by the school are a little bit more like brown construction paper than absorbent paper towels.
Parent Volunteers-
· Class Field Trip Chaperones- please make sure you have a current background check on file with the school office. If you are interested please go to www.aps.edu or the link on the homepage of the class website to get your volunteer background check.
· Classroom parties- I will email the date of each party and I would appreciate parent help in organizing the party supplies. Last year a parent created a “sign-up genius” account for party supply sign-up.
· Fluency Assessments on Friday- a parent volunteer on Fridays is always helpful to give fluency assessments to students. Each child reads the same passage for 1 minute and the words correct in 1 minute are recorded.
· Classroom Bulletin Board- I try to redo the classroom bulletin board out in the hallway with student work once per month. I appreciate parents coming in to hang up student work and to decorate the bulletin board.
· Occasional Classroom Copies- If you can commit to coming in on some Fridays throughout the year to help make copies, please let me know.
With the new common core standards and the new math program I am not sure I will be able to have lessons planned out far enough in advance of the lesson(s) to need help during the reading or math lessons. I will let you know if this is an area where parent volunteers may also be able to contribute.
You are always welcome to email me or give me a call if you have any questions. There is also a contact form on the home page of the website.
Thanks again and I look forward to a great school year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nuñez
There are three different pages that can be navigated from the website, I will include information about the classroom in this initial email; but the information is always accessible on the website.
The HOMEPAGE will have school-wide events and classroom information including the classroom discipline policy and links. The links include the scholastic book orders and Class Dojo website (a student behavior website that can be accessed by parents). There will also be a link to “signupgenius,” an online invitation system for parent teacher conferences, field trips and any extra classroom supplies we may need.
Teacher Contact- One of the best ways to contact me is via email. My email address is [email protected]. I usually check my email at school every day and I typically try to reply within 24 hours. Sometimes it will take two days if there were a lot of meetings before and after school. If you forget my email or if you are unable to log into outlook there is a contact section on the classroom website that links directly to my email.
Class Schedule – The class schedule is on the homepage with "specials" (PE, Art, Library) and with subject times if you are ever wondering what your student will miss if they have to leave class early.
Class Dojo and Classroom Discipline- Students have their names written down on cards. All students start their names on green everyday. Green is for students who are on task and working well in teams. This system is based on the 1, 2, 3 magic system. When student are off task for any inappropriate behaviors (excessive talking, disrespectful attitude etc.) they need to move their name down to the next color. Each color has a specific consequence.
BLUE- is a warning. The consequence is just a reminder to behave.
YELLOW- Student receives a warning and the behavior is documented in my notes and on the Class Dojo Site.
ORANGE- Student needs to sit out for 5 minutes and write down their behavior to be signed in their student agendas by parents and on Dojo.
RED- Student is sent to another teacher or to the office depending on severity of the action. Parents are called, students lose 2 dojo points and will sit out all of Friday Fun.
I keep track of student behaviors in teams and individually using a program called Class Dojo. Each student has an individual account and a log in number that will be sent home. Students receive 1 individual point for every 5 team points they earn in class. These points are accrued by each student and can be used by students for Friday Fun activities. Students can also lose points for behavioral issues and missing homework assignments. I keep a written log of all the times student has moved to blue, yellow, orange or red. I make a copy of this sheet to hand out with progress reports and report cards. The Class Dojo Codes will be going home soon so that you can login to track your child’s behavior in the classroom.
Popcorn and a Movie Parties- Along with the individual class dojo points I award team points in the class for cooperative learning. As an entire class if each team get more than 25 points each in one day, the students are a "cooperative learning class” letter on the popcorn and a movie sign. I move the little film strip to a new letter each time and when the class completely spells out popcorn and a movie, the entire class gets to watch a movie. I try to tie the movie into curriculum instruction and a use movies that are based on books I have read aloud to the class. A parent letter and permission slip will be sent home that allows students to see PG movies in the class. Please read over the possible list of movies and sign the permission form so we can watch a movie at the end of the trimester if they have earned one.
Student Data Binders- I send home some graded pages home with the student. Most of the graded pages in the classroom are kept in a data binder by the students and are graphed on charts that match the different sections on the Standards Based Progress Report. Each section of the binder is a section on the report card; in the correct order. Reading, Writing, Study Skills, Social Studies, Science, and Math. At the end of the trimester students fill out a goal sheet. They analyze their data from the trimester and look for weaknesses and strengths, and use that information to create new goals for the next trimester. The format of the data binders is designed so students can show parents their growth quickly over time and also share their assessments. Students are able to explain what areas they need to work on the most and how people at home can help them. I use these data binders at parent teacher conferences, but students can take home their data binders to show parents at any time. This allows students to better understand that their data binder is a direct reflection of their report card. This also allows students to see progress throughout the year.
I usually keep homework in a filing cabinet in the classroom in case a student says they turned in homework but I had not added the homework page to my gradebook. This way I can go back and see what homework was missing. I usually do not put a grade on homework because I am grading homework pages so fast. I use homework to help me create my intervention groupings in math and sometimes in reading. I look at the students work and take notes for students who are not understanding the content. For students who are understanding the content I file their pages. Please make sure your child is turning in their homework! I know that a specific grade may not be evident on the math pages, but I really consider math homework valuable information to me as a teacher to determine who needs help and if a child is chronically missing homework I am chronically missing out on the opportunity to help.
Scholastic Book Orders- Orders are placed every two weeks. I would appreciate a parent volunteer coming in to help place orders.
Classroom Newsletter/Information- The second tab on the webpage is my NEWS/BLOG tab which will be set up in a blog comment/response fashion. I will try to update the newsletter every other week or possibly weekly depending on lesson changes. The Math, Reading, Grammar and Social Studies/Science links will be updated when classroom content and lessons change. These tabs will have student links and information. If a research project is assigned I try to describe the project on the webpage with visual examples and pictures. The content of this letter will be uploaded to that page as well in case it is lost. I try to remember to copy all the information into an email that is sent out to the parent email list.
Agendas- This year each child should have already purchased an agenda as part of his or her fourth grade supplies. It is your child's responsibility to write down his/her assignments each day, take the agenda home, and then bring it back signed by a parent or guardian. The agendas are routinely used to help students prepare for middle school. Help your child develop an independent and responsible attitude toward homework by providing a set time and a quiet place for students to complete homework.
Homework- Please help monitor your child's homework assignments by making sure they are completed neatly and turned in on time.
READING- Students should be reading every night Monday through Thursday and writing a brief summary each night. There is a separate reading homework log that the student completes after he or she reads a 4th grade level book. They are expected to read 40 books by the end of 4th grade. Students should have at least 15 books read at the end of every trimester to be able to attend the end of the trimester party.
MATH- This year APS has purchased a new math program called Stepping Stones. The distribution center is still in the process of distributing materials to the schools. Homework will be assigned depending on the completion of math lessons during the day. Once we get out new Stepping Stones Common Core Math materials I will let you know how the homework will be implemented.
Math Facts should also be practiced often. Students need to know them mentally and quickly.
SOCIAL STUDIES- Students will be memorizing the 50 states and capitals using a song that is available on the classroom webpage. Students only need to practice 1 line per week and they need to know the states and their capitals, not the locations.
SPELLING- The Spelling list for the week will be handed out on Mondays. The page is due back on Friday and the spelling test will also take place on Fridays.
SPECIAL PROJECTS- Each trimester I try to give the students a larger research project that needs to be presented to the class. These projects help teach the students how to research and how to manage time for larger projects. These qualities are very important in order to prepare students for the 5th grade and middle school.
Classroom Wishlist- There are some items that I am asking for parents to donate to the classroom.
1. Small Prizes for our prize box. Party favors that are found in the Walmart aisle are good for our prize box.
2. Black Expo Dry Erase Markers! Each students has an individual dry erase board. The workroom markers last only about 2-3 weeks at the most. If your child wants their own set of dry erase markers I would suggest getting 1 or 2. Some students choose to get a package of dry erase markers and share them throughout the year in their groups.
3. Paper Towels- The paper towels provided by the school are a little bit more like brown construction paper than absorbent paper towels.
Parent Volunteers-
· Class Field Trip Chaperones- please make sure you have a current background check on file with the school office. If you are interested please go to www.aps.edu or the link on the homepage of the class website to get your volunteer background check.
· Classroom parties- I will email the date of each party and I would appreciate parent help in organizing the party supplies. Last year a parent created a “sign-up genius” account for party supply sign-up.
· Fluency Assessments on Friday- a parent volunteer on Fridays is always helpful to give fluency assessments to students. Each child reads the same passage for 1 minute and the words correct in 1 minute are recorded.
· Classroom Bulletin Board- I try to redo the classroom bulletin board out in the hallway with student work once per month. I appreciate parents coming in to hang up student work and to decorate the bulletin board.
· Occasional Classroom Copies- If you can commit to coming in on some Fridays throughout the year to help make copies, please let me know.
With the new common core standards and the new math program I am not sure I will be able to have lessons planned out far enough in advance of the lesson(s) to need help during the reading or math lessons. I will let you know if this is an area where parent volunteers may also be able to contribute.
You are always welcome to email me or give me a call if you have any questions. There is also a contact form on the home page of the website.
Thanks again and I look forward to a great school year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nuñez