September 24, 2015
 Michelle
White – ELA/Social Studies
 Kara Bartkus – Math/Science
 Lynne
Tousek – ELA/Social Studies
 Shannaedi ElFadili – Math/Science
 Amanda
McGlothlin – ELA/Social Studies
 Laura Parker – Math/Science
 Aishah
El Akkari – Self Contained
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Alvin Website www.alvinisd.net
* Please visit this website for important information (student handbook, calendar and dress code).
* Please visit school and teacher webpages for current events.
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Alvin ISD Technology Connect
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*Download free Mobile APP for quick district communication http://www.alvinisd.net/Page/15236
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*Follow the District and Marek Elementary on Twitter and Facebook
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Marlin Messenger (e-news)
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Please visit this website to enroll. http://alvinisd.schoolwires.net/Page/4569
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Teacher Email
* (first initial, full last name@alvinisd.net)
* Limited information pertaining to child as teacher’s respect student confidentiality
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Mary Marek Phone: 281-245-3232
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Tuesday folders:
Conference time: 12:45-1:35pm
* Used to send important information home
* Used as “one-way” communication
* Send home on Tuesday and returned to school on Wednesday
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Student daily binder and academic planner
 Change of Transportation must be received by 2:30pm.
Please call the office, email me and/or send in a written note.
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All students will be expected to behave in a manner which does not prevent me
from teaching and/or other students from learning.
If a student makes poor choices, behaviors will be documented using the
academic planner. Examples of consequences are verbal warnings, think time,
Behavior Reflections, walking at recess, and office referral.
Capturing Kids’ Hearts
* Good Things/Affirmations
* Social Contract
* Hand Signs
* Home and School
* Flip Flippen – The Flippen Group
http://www.flippengroup.com/education/ckh.html
Mindset Moments
*learning ways to fulfill our potential through
growth-mindset instead of fixed-mindset
*mindset The New Psychology of Success
by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
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Grades and attendance are posted on the TEAMs Parent Self Serve. This website is a resource
for parents/guardians to view their child's grades, attendance and discipline information.
Email notifications can also be set to receive notifications whenever an absence is posted or
for low grades or missing assignments.
Register to activate your portal through the Alvin ISD website or by going to
https://teamsapp.alvinisd.net/selfserve/EntryPointHomeAction.do?parent=true
 Teams Mobile
 Email Notification
http://www.alvinisd.net/cms/lib03/TX01001897/Centricity/Domain/2092/Email%20Not
ifications.pdf
Alvin ISD Elementary Grading Guidelines:
 With the Reading/Language Arts K-2 report card being based on a continuum of learning
rather than based on a 0-100 grading scale, multiple opportunities should be given for a
student to master skill prior to documentation on the report card. This documentation will be
noted as 3, 2, 1. Math/Science/Social Studies is based on a 0-100 grading scale.
Evaluation Key for Reading and Language Arts
3 - Proficient
2 - Working on
1- Not Proficient
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Homework is a reinforcement of skills learned in class.
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Math
ASTROS stands for Alvin Students Training Rigorously on Skills.
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Homework assigned Tuesday and Wednesday
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Grades 1 - 5 have 2 ASTROS assignments per week.
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The front 4 problems on ASTROS are a spiral review.
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The back 4 problems are based on a focus student expectation. For example the ASTROS will be titled with Focus SE:
1.2E
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Math reviews will be sent home to prepare for CBA Tests
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Science/Social Studies
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Assignment over topic for the week – Wednesday-Friday -Social Studies, Thursday-Science
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Science reviews will be sent home to prepare for CBA Tests
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Reading
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Minimum of 20 minutes daily
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Homework/Reading Log is checked daily for parent signature, information about book correctly written, and assignment
complete.
Students will be expected to do the written work on their own and ask for help only after they have given it their best
effort.
Reading passages and comprehension questions will be sent home to prepare for CBA Tests.
***It is YOUR CHILD’S responsibility to complete daily homework assignments and
get their planner and reading log signed daily. ***
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Spiraling Curriculum-Each grading period students will revisit concepts learned from the
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Concepts Include
previous grading periods and build on those concepts.
◦ Represent, compare, and recognize relationships related to place value – to 999 Determine
whether a number up to 40 is odd or even
◦ Open number line/numbers positioned on a number line
◦ Add/Subtract up to 20
◦ Word problems
◦ Time - hour, half hour, to the minute, am, pm (analog and digital clocks)
◦ Length – nonstandard units, standard units
◦ Use concrete models of square units to find the area of a rectangle
◦ Graphing – interpreting and solving problems
◦ Fractions beyond one whole
◦ Addition/Subtraction (2 digit addends)
◦ Money and Financial Literacy
◦ Addition/Subtraction (within 1,000)
◦ Multiplication and division
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Working with your child at home
◦ Keep your child’s ASTROS homework that is sent in Tuesday Folders to review for CBA Tests.
◦ Encourage your child to show their work using the Problem Solving Process on their
homework, not just their answers. (Underline questions, circle important data, write if they
are adding or subtracting, draw pictures to check their answers).
 Concepts Include
* Intro. to Science Unit – What a scientist is and does, safe practices
* Objects in the Sky – Sun, Moon, Constellations
* Force and Motion
* Magnets
* Matter – physical properties
* Weather – types of weather, weather patterns, water cycle, seasons
* Organisms & Environments – animals(needs, physical characteristics
behaviors, life cycle) plants (basic needs of plants & animals, physical
characteristics of plant to meet needs), environments (environmental
factors, interdependency, food chains)
* Natural Resources – rocks, fresh water vs. saltwater, natural vs. manmade
resources, use, conservation, & disposal of natural resources
* Energy Unit - effects of increasing or decreasing the amount of light, heat,
and sound energy
* Science Careers Exploration Unit
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Working independently and building stamina
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Learning mouse control
Enhancing fine motor skills
Practicing basic computer functions
Learning how to manipulate and operate various computer programs and devices
Enhancing reading, math and phonemic awareness skills
 Each week students will be visiting the computer lab as well as using the
classroom computers to continue education.
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Some of the technology integration used in the classroom includes
Promethean Board
SMART Promethean Activslate
Promethean Activote
PC Computer/laptop computer
Flip Video camera
Samsung Galaxy Note, Apple iPad, and Kindle Fire devices
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Your child will be interacting with several of the websites listed below. Please
feel free to use the following online website resources at home. Click on the
link and it will take you directly to the webpage.
Book Adventure - http://www.bookadventure.com
Starfall - http://www.starfall.com
Kids Spell - http://www.kidsspell.com
Storyline Online - http://www.storylineonline.net
Tumble Books – http://www.tumblebooks.com
Seussville - http://www.seussville.com/
Online Story time http://www.barnesandnoble.com
National Geographic for Kids - http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/
NASA for Kids - http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html
ABCya - http://www.abcya.com/
PBS Kids - http://pbskids.org/
Dance Mat Typing - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/
Internet Safety - http://www.netsmartz.org/Safety/SafetyTips
Thank you for attending tonight.
Please email any questions,
comments and concerns to your
child’s teacher.