montessori grades 3 and 4. my goal: a happy, cooperative colony of workers
TRANSCRIPT
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT2012-2013
Montessori Grades 3 and 4
My Goal: A Happy, Cooperative Colony of Workers
“With FREEDOM comes RESPONSIBILTY!”
Students are free to choose what they work on, who they work with, and
where they work so long as they are working quietly and purposefully.
About me… Background
Licensed in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Reading
Montessori Certificates in Lower (grades 1-3) and Upper Elementary (grades 4-6)
ExperienceTaught in Montessori schools in Springfield,
Haverhill and entering my 7th year in Holliston
What’s new this year? Mimeo projectors and document
cameras in all classrooms! Common Core Curriculum
Both Reading Street and EnVision Math are updated to reflect the changes in the new Common Core Curriculum. (See the handouts)
Scope and Sequence of the Writing will reflect the changes in Common Core (and as a result, in MCAS)
ROSP’s will be updated to reflect new standards in Common Core (and as a result be more meaningful to you the parents)
Schedule
7:55 – Arrival and Morning Work 8:30 – ELA Block (Reading Street, Spelling,
Word Study and Grammar, Writer’s Workshop, and Social Studies)
10:45 – Spanish (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
11:20 – Specials 12:15 – Lunch 12:45 – Agendas 1:00 – Recess 1:20 – Math 2:20 – Classroom jobs and dismissal
Story Launch by grade Spelling words come from the
program and connect to the word study skills.
Choice built into the tasks students can do to demonstrate understanding of the concepts taught (Word Study, Vocabulary and Grammar).
Students can access text on-line both in school and at home.
Multi-level little books provide extended practice to support all learners.
Writing Writer’s Workshop
Writer's Workshop is an interdisciplinary writing technique which can build students' fluency in writing through continuous, repeated exposure to the process of writing.
Initially, we will focus on expression of thought.6 Traits of Writing will guide the instruction, along with
the Common Core and Reading Street Curriculum.Mini-lessons based on literature and models of good
writing will be used to develop writers.Writing focus will be on narratives, expository, and
persuasive writing. Poetry will be taught throughout.
New Common Core edition is reduced to 16 topics to provide deeper understandings (Was 20 last year)
Students can access text and digital tools at school and home
Montessori math materials will be used in conjunction with the text to support and guide this deeper understanding
Regions of the United States· Geographical Map Skills
· Regions of the United States – focus for each region will include states and capitals, land and water forms, natural and agricultural resources, culture and economy.
○ Field trips will reflect the 4th grade curriculum. Lloyd Center in Dartmouth, MA
September 24th Lowell National Historic Park, June
2013
Use of technology and project-based learning will be a part of both grades.
The Learning ContractThis represents the
independent work that
your child will complete in
the week. There is choice
built in to the tasks and
into the order the work is
completed. The skills
reinforce what the students
will learn or have learned
in lessons.
Open Circle• Self-awareness: Recognizing one’s emotions and
values as well as one’s strengths and limitations • Self-management: Managing emotions and
behaviors to achieve one’s goal • Social awareness: Showing and understanding
empathy for others • Relationship skills: Forming positive relationships,
working in teams, dealing effectively with conflict • Responsible decision-making: Making ethical,
constructive choices about personal and social behavior
Homework· Homework will be assigned Monday through
Thursday.· Combination of paper packets with some
computer-based work.· Reinforces what has been taught in class.· Students are also expected to read 20
minutes a night and practice math facts for 10 minutes a few times a week.
· TOW (Thinking of the Week) for math and ROW (Reading of the Week) will be utilized later in the year to prepare for MCAS.
Communication
· I can be reached by note, phone, or e-mail.
· My phone extension is 3113.· My e-mail is [email protected].· I respond to e-mail and voicemail before
and after school.· Please send notes with child if there
is a change in dismissal routine.
Birthdays and Holidays· We are FOOD-FREE for birthday
celebrations.· In lieu of goodies, we will be doing a
birthday t-shirt to be signed by classmates.· Continuing this year – ALL
CLASSROOMS ARE NUT FREE for all snacks.
· Please send in $2to cover my costsfor the shirts
Class Web Page· The goal is to have monthly updates to the
webpage for homework and Learning Contracts (Please be patient with me)
· Students will be blogging about our week at school on the Ask me About My Week page
· Sign up for Newsflashes on the webpage
· Wish List and Supply items are posted there
Some reminders…
Please send in a white t-shirt
for tie-dyeing We will use Time for Kids
in the classroom, so please
send $5 to cover the
year’s subscription.
Before you leave tonight…· Please sign up for a conference. If none
of the times are possible, please call me.· Please leave the note for your child in
his or her file drawer so he or she will see it in the morning.
· CORI forms are required for classroom volunteers and field trip chaperones. Please send in photo of license with completed form.
With lots of hard work and cooperation, I am hoping to have a bountiful harvest of learning by the end of this school year!