This document provides information for parents about the goals and schedule for an elementary classroom. It outlines the classroom's schedule, which includes subjects like Spanish, art, music, and technology on different days. It also details what students will bring home each day including homework, and encourages parents to check folders daily. Homework usually includes reading, math, and other assignments. The document provides information about various reading, math, and writing programs the classroom uses. It encourages family involvement and lists the teachers' email addresses for scheduling appointments.

1. September 2014
Ms. Schacht and Ms. Rollings

2. Our Goals
• Instill a love of learning, wondering,
and figuring out!
• Develop independence and self-regulation
skills, while nurturing each
child’s self esteem.
• Create happy memories
• Form strong school/home partnership

3. ABCDEF Schedule
Room 207:
A - Spanish
B- Art
C- PE
D- PE, Art/Music
E –Music
F- Technology
Room 209:
A - Technology
B- PE
C- PE
D- Music and Art
E – Spanish
F- Art

4. •Absent Notes
• Email
• Send in folder
• Check Parent Portal for unexcused
absences for Honor Rolls
•Tardies
• Attendance is entered by 8:40
• Any tardies = no perfect attendance

5. •Every child starts the day on green
•A yellow note = child received a warning, but
behavior continued
•Red notes are VERY rare.
• Note home, meeting
•Red, yellow, and green slips may be sent home
by specialist teachers

6. What will my child bring home
from school?
Red Folder
Daily Homework, Graded Daily Homework, Tests,
Communication/notes
Book Baggie
Just right books, Guided Reading book, Goal
cards
Please check & empty folders daily.

7. Homework
The red homework folder AND Book Baggie will
be sent home each night.
 Nightly homework (unless otherwise noted)
includes:
• Reading for 20 minutes (Reading Log Optional)
• Any Guided Reading homework
• Math worksheet
• Fundations practice- Due every 1-2 weeks; Work at your
own pace.
 Allow students to attempt homework
independently. Then, go over it with them and
revise as needed.
 Not meant to be challenging! Contact teacher

8. Reading
Reader’s Workshop- Each student reads books at their
independent reading level (Just Right books)
 Our goal for students is not just reading the words;
 Making meaning
 Slowing down to become thoughtful, active
readers.
 Growing a love of reading
 Preparing students for future academic life of
interacting with many different texts.
 Independent Reading, Partner Reading, Book Clubs,
Guided Reading, Read Alouds

9. Read Aloud
The National Reading Panel found that “The single most
important activity for building the background knowledge
required for success in reading is reading aloud to children.” This
applies at home and at school. (Jim Trelease, The Read Aloud
Handbook)
Benefits:
• Equates reading with pleasure
• Expands vocabulary
• Strengthens reading comprehension
• Models fluent reading
• Exposes students to a variety of subjects and
genres that helps build literary knowledge.
• Instills identity of a reader in a child

10. Small Group Reading
Instruction
Guided Reading Groups
• Approx 3 x a week
• Your child is given books at a level higher than the
one they can read by themselves
• Meant to bump kids up to more complex texts
• Strategy Groups
• Your child uses just right books to practice
reading strategies. (e.g. Think about how the
character is feeling.)
• Meant to help kids go deeper

11. •Phonics/spelling program. Focus is to
learn word patterns- not memorize.
•Packet sent home at start of unit. Due by
date on packet (2-3 weeks).
•DO memorize how to spell Trick Words!

12. •Everyday Math – spiral curriculum,
conceptual knowledge
•Family letters are a great source of Info.
•HomeLink- homework page
•Enrichment packet for a challenge on Web
page
•Grades- Worksheets, Unit Test, Open
Response

13. Writer’s Workshop
Daily writing time, 20-30 minutes
Units- narrative, informational, opinion, poetry.
Revising & editing = important parts of the writing
process
Some invented spelling is encouraged.
Fundations words are expected to be spelled
correctly.
Writing Celebrations at the end of each unit

14. -

15. •Science & Social Studies alternate each
quarter
•Field Trips!
•Occasional homework for thematic unit-watch
newsletter & family letters.

16. Family Involvement!
 Room Parents: 207-Kristin Gross 209 – Veronica Janus
 Math Explorations on Fridays
 Mystery Readers Fridays
 Field Trip Chaperones
 Guest Speakers
 Home-Links
Pop in and disassemble workbooks for our daily
Math homework.
 Celebrations!
• Writing Celebrations
• Culminating Activities

17. •Weekly e-newsletters
•Class Web page
• Email

18. •Letter Grades
• A=A year or more above grade level
• B= Slightly above grade level
• C=At grade level
• D= Below grade level (You will know!)
•Parent Portal for assignment breakdown
•Progress Reports at mid-quarter
•Report Cards at end of quarter

19. Birthdays!
• On your child’s birthday, a family member is welcome
to come in and read a book to the class to celebrate.
• No food treats, please
• Birthday Party Invitation Policy
• Invitations can be passed out at school ONLY when
a whole class is invited (or all girls/all boys).
• Small group invitations should distributed outside of
school.

20. -Email to schedule an appointment:
jfisher7@cps.edu
- or clrollings@cps.edu
-No drop-ins before or after school
(dismissal)