Language Arts: We use the state adopted text from Houghton Mifflin along with a variety of fiction and non-fiction materials for literature groups and individual research. We also use the Accelerated Reading program on computer.
§ Reading: comprehension, decoding strategies, fluency
§ Writing: topic, audience, purpose, format of developing a paragraph, mechanics
§ Listening: active listening, vocabulary development, developing questions
§ Speaking: to each other, small groups and whole class to articulate ideas
§ Spelling: We use Rebecca Sitton Spelling program. This program focuses on high-use words. The Core list of words are those that are required to be spelled correctly all the time. Students have a list of words at school and on e will come home that will be used for all writing activities. You will see the current week’s spelling words in the daily homework. Heavy emphasis on mastery of core words, base words, changing base words when prefixes and suffixes are added.
My goal is that your children have fun with and truly enjoy reading and its related activities. Please help them grow by having them read a minimum of 20 minutes each evening; having them read aloud to you is best (for at least part of the time). Please include time to read aloud to you children as well – choose books that are 2 years above their current reading level. This helps children learn new vocabulary and strengthens listening comprehension.
Math: Envision is the text we use school wide and will be one of several tools used in the classroom throughout the year. I teach strands of the state standards and emphasize critical thinking and proving your work. We develop strategies to solve word problems and prove solutions. I supplement instruction with manipulatives, Marcy Cook and accelerated Math. Strands are:
*addition/subtraction while deepening grasp of place value to 100,000
*money/time *geometry
*multiplication/division concepts *measurement
*beginning algebra *statistics and probability
*estimation *rounding
Social Studies: Central to our studies is the town of Petaluma and its river as we learn about the local community. Units include Petaluma History, Native Americans, architecture, watershed and geography. Our field trips take us to Kule Loklo in Pt. Reyes to visit the Miwok village, a walking trip to downtown and a bus ride to Shollenberger Park.
Science: Foss is the adopted science program, which is a hands-on approach for many of the units. We explore physical (matter), earth science (solar system) and life science (living systems of plants and animal adaptation). We use investigation, observation and experimentation. We take related field trips and bring the exciting Star Lab to McNear.
P.E.: We average 100 minutes each week of physical education. Please be sure your child wears appropriate tennis shoes and clothes every day as our P.E. day will vary. We are also pleased to welcome back Chris Bell as our student advisor. He will be planning visits into our classroom throughout the year to show students how to participate in appropriate healthy play activities.
Library/Computer: We visit the library with Mrs. Bussey each Wednesday morning for 30 minutes. Students must return their books form the prior we in order to check out a new book. For computer lab we are lucky to have Mary Noel instructing. As a class we will be visiting the computer lab for 30 minutes once a week where the experiences there will support our teaching units in various subject areas.
Art: Many of our art experiences are integrated with other subject areas of the curriculum. I will also be taking advantage of the district Art Docent Program, on average once a month. Volunteers are needed and you get to just do lesson in Room 18 if you prefer! Ask me about training.
Homework:
§ Homework comes home daily Monday thought Thursday in the clear plastic folder.
§ It is critical that parents are consistent with checking the homework for accuracy, basic spelling, punctuation, and neat legible handwriting. Students are expected to do each assignment to the best of their ability and put it in their folder and backpack themselves, ready for the next morning.
§ The Reading Log is turned in each Friday—titles correctly written (by your child) and a parent’s signature to confirm that it has been filled out correctly.
Parent Conferences/Report Cards: Parent conferences are held at the end of the first trimester, in early November. All parents are invited in for a conference. You will receive a report card at that conference. Report cards come out again in the spring and at the end of the school year. Parent conferences can be requested at any time, and may also be requested by a teacher.
Birthdays; It is a pleasure to honor your child’s birthday! You are not obligated to provide a treat, but if you do, please bring 23. At this time I know one student has a dairy allergy, let me know if your child has any food allergies so we can accommodate them. Please keep in mind that party invitations cannot be passed out at school; please mail them to avoid hurt feelings.
§ Reading: comprehension, decoding strategies, fluency
§ Writing: topic, audience, purpose, format of developing a paragraph, mechanics
§ Listening: active listening, vocabulary development, developing questions
§ Speaking: to each other, small groups and whole class to articulate ideas
§ Spelling: We use Rebecca Sitton Spelling program. This program focuses on high-use words. The Core list of words are those that are required to be spelled correctly all the time. Students have a list of words at school and on e will come home that will be used for all writing activities. You will see the current week’s spelling words in the daily homework. Heavy emphasis on mastery of core words, base words, changing base words when prefixes and suffixes are added.
My goal is that your children have fun with and truly enjoy reading and its related activities. Please help them grow by having them read a minimum of 20 minutes each evening; having them read aloud to you is best (for at least part of the time). Please include time to read aloud to you children as well – choose books that are 2 years above their current reading level. This helps children learn new vocabulary and strengthens listening comprehension.
Math: Envision is the text we use school wide and will be one of several tools used in the classroom throughout the year. I teach strands of the state standards and emphasize critical thinking and proving your work. We develop strategies to solve word problems and prove solutions. I supplement instruction with manipulatives, Marcy Cook and accelerated Math. Strands are:
*addition/subtraction while deepening grasp of place value to 100,000
*money/time *geometry
*multiplication/division concepts *measurement
*beginning algebra *statistics and probability
*estimation *rounding
Social Studies: Central to our studies is the town of Petaluma and its river as we learn about the local community. Units include Petaluma History, Native Americans, architecture, watershed and geography. Our field trips take us to Kule Loklo in Pt. Reyes to visit the Miwok village, a walking trip to downtown and a bus ride to Shollenberger Park.
Science: Foss is the adopted science program, which is a hands-on approach for many of the units. We explore physical (matter), earth science (solar system) and life science (living systems of plants and animal adaptation). We use investigation, observation and experimentation. We take related field trips and bring the exciting Star Lab to McNear.
P.E.: We average 100 minutes each week of physical education. Please be sure your child wears appropriate tennis shoes and clothes every day as our P.E. day will vary. We are also pleased to welcome back Chris Bell as our student advisor. He will be planning visits into our classroom throughout the year to show students how to participate in appropriate healthy play activities.
Library/Computer: We visit the library with Mrs. Bussey each Wednesday morning for 30 minutes. Students must return their books form the prior we in order to check out a new book. For computer lab we are lucky to have Mary Noel instructing. As a class we will be visiting the computer lab for 30 minutes once a week where the experiences there will support our teaching units in various subject areas.
Art: Many of our art experiences are integrated with other subject areas of the curriculum. I will also be taking advantage of the district Art Docent Program, on average once a month. Volunteers are needed and you get to just do lesson in Room 18 if you prefer! Ask me about training.
Homework:
§ Homework comes home daily Monday thought Thursday in the clear plastic folder.
§ It is critical that parents are consistent with checking the homework for accuracy, basic spelling, punctuation, and neat legible handwriting. Students are expected to do each assignment to the best of their ability and put it in their folder and backpack themselves, ready for the next morning.
§ The Reading Log is turned in each Friday—titles correctly written (by your child) and a parent’s signature to confirm that it has been filled out correctly.
Parent Conferences/Report Cards: Parent conferences are held at the end of the first trimester, in early November. All parents are invited in for a conference. You will receive a report card at that conference. Report cards come out again in the spring and at the end of the school year. Parent conferences can be requested at any time, and may also be requested by a teacher.
Birthdays; It is a pleasure to honor your child’s birthday! You are not obligated to provide a treat, but if you do, please bring 23. At this time I know one student has a dairy allergy, let me know if your child has any food allergies so we can accommodate them. Please keep in mind that party invitations cannot be passed out at school; please mail them to avoid hurt feelings.