A Whole New World
Robin Dishkin - May Whitney School
Guaranteed & Viable Curriculum - Literacy
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Literacy Instruction connected to the CCSS
 Regular practice with complex texts and their academic language
 Reading, writing, and speaking grounded in evidence from texts,
both literary and informational
 Building knowledge through content-rich nonfiction
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We will use a workshop model
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Read alouds
Direct instruction mini-lessons
Small group instruction
Time for independent practice
Writing about reading
Conferring with the teacher
Time for collaborative conversations
Reading
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We use Reading Fundamentals
Used to guide reading instruction
Each unity of study includes:
 Mentor texts
 A variety of books for guided reading and independent
reading
 A selection of digital shared teaching resources that
systematically integrate reading skill/strategy instruction
with the study of genre
 For more information visit www.schoolwide.com
Writing
We use Handwriting Without Tears to learn proper letter
formation. Starting the letters at the top is VERY important
(tall letters start at the top line, small letters start at the middle
line- NONE start at the bottom).
Writing Fundamentals will be used as a resource in
teaching the students to write. Students will recognize
the important role that pictures play when developing
or telling a story. They will also use techniques they
have learned from the mentor texts in their own
writing.
Phonics
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Jolly Phonics
We will study 3 letters a week:
1. Every letter has an action
2. Every letter has a storyline
3. Every letter has a flashcard
4. Letter forming is correlated
5. Homework on Friday: Review the sounds (return
the folder on Monday)
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Math
Math instruction connected to the CCSS
 Greater focus on fewer topics
 Coherence: Linking topics and thinking across grades
 Rigor: Pursue conceptual understanding, procedural skills and
fluency, and application with equal intensity
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Stepping Stones is an online teaching resource
Students will have print journals.
Students will use manipulatives, visual representations,
traditional computation, number sense and fact fluency
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Science
National Geographic Science is the material used
Each grade studies units on earth, life and physical
science
 The science curriculum offers a broad range of
print and digital resources as students engage in
science study and inquiry
Social Studies
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We use TCI as a resource to teach our concepts.
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K-1 teachers introduce students to concepts of
family and community life
Newsletter
What we’ve been
learning
 Jolly Phonics
 School Wide Reading
skills
 What to look forward to
 Books that we read
 Don’t forget!
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Take-home folders
My communication
 Notes from District 95
 Notes from May
Whitney
 Class assignments
 Homework
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Homework
 Name
writing
papers
 Jolly Phonics
 Math worksheets
 “Needs help”
(a paper that is sent
home for extra help)
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Extra clothes
1
extra set
 Zip lock bag
 Labeled with
name
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Specials
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Library
 Story-time
 Book checkout
 Computer lab
AM: Monday
PM: Friday
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Physical Education
 Wear rubbersoled gym shoes
AM: Wednesday
PM: Tuesday
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Snack time
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Drink
 Milk purchase
 Juice from home
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Snacks
 Healthy
 Peanut-free
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Birthday celebrations
Send me a note and I will reply with:
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Date
Day
Time
# of children
Appropriate treats
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Goody bags
NO FOOD
If you do not plan on passing out something, I
would still like to recognize the special day- just
send me a note and remind me of the day!
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Discipline Procedures
In my classroom I expect my students to show appropriate behavior
at all times and my goal is to help my students learn the difference
between appropriate and inappropriate. Little children make little
mistakes and I try to speak with them and help improve their behavior
with positive and constructive conversation. We talk about the
mistake, see if there could have been a better choice and then we
apologize to our friends. I talk to my students all the time. I also
believe in ‘time out’. My students are moved away from their
classmates and instructed to thing about their inappropriate
behavior. If my little talks do not work and a student is still distracting
others or not making good choices, then you will receive a note
home from me.
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1. Email:
Robin.Dishkin@lz95.org
2. Phone call: (847) 438-2351
3. Note in folder
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