August 26, 2015 6:00-7:30 PM • • • • • • I am a wife and mother – my son, Braeden, is a first-grader at Kyffin. I have two dogs, two cats, & one gecko. I have five siblings – three sisters & two brothers. I like to read, watch movies, be outdoors, and spend time with my family. This is my second year teaching at Kyffin. I was also a Kyffin Cougar and am a proud Jeffco graduate. • As a class, we have established a set of classroom rules and expectations that align with Kyffin’s systemic set of classroom & school wide values – PRRS. • We will... • D • D • D • D • D • Failure to adhere to class rules may result in warnings, behavior reflections, calls/emails home, and/or referrals to administration. 8:10-8:30 – Morning Meeting 8:30-9:30 – Writing 9:30 – Snack 9:30-11:00 – Reading 11:05-11:50 – AMP 11:50-12:30 – Lunch/Recess 12:30-2:00 – Math 2:00-2:45 – Science/Soc. Studies 2:45-2:55 – Stack & Pack Writing • Kyffin systemically and systematically uses the Writing Alive curriculum implemented last year. • This allows for a common language used school wide and the ability to effectively build on skills learned in previous grades. • Skills are taught in a strategic manner to build upon one another. • We will use this curriculum to explore the use of figurative language, narrative storytelling, writing to explain, opinion writing and nonfiction writing. • We will also be learning cursive. Reading • We will be using the Daily 5 (4) model during our literacy block, during which time students will practice the following: • Read to Self • Read to Someone • Work on Writing • Word Work • During this time, students will also be meeting with teacher either individually or in small groups to work on reading comprehension, accuracy, and fluency. • Specific units will focus on exploring characters, nonfiction texts, uncovering main ideas & details and examining the human experience through literature. Math • Kyffin systemically uses the Math Expressions curriculum implemented last year. • This allows for a common language used school wide and the ability to effectively build on skills learned in previous grades. • We will use this curriculum to explore place value and multi-digit addition & subtraction, multiplication & division with whole numbers, equations with word problems, fraction concepts & operations, fractions & decimals, measurement and geometry. • We will also be using Moby Max as a tool for evaluating our understanding and identifying any potential gaps. • Students that have a Body of Evidence (BOE) that demonstrates mastery & in-depth understanding of grade-level math standards may be recommended for acceleration by one year. This BOE may include: • 80% or above on current grade level EOY assessment • Advanced scoring in math on TCAP, TOMAGS, or quantitative reasoning on CogAT • Continuously scoring 90% or higher on gradelevel unit tests • Additional assessments including Acuity, Moby Max, etc. • Students receiving math instruction at a grade level above will receive a progress report, created by the classroom teacher, at the end of each unit. This will need to be signed by a parent and returned. • Students in the accelerated math program are expected to receive 70% or above for an overall unit grade. Social Studies • 3rd graders tackle four social studies concepts throughout the school year: • Roles, Rights & Responsibilities • The Big City • Living & Working in the City • The Cultural Regions & Interactions of First Americans • Two of our grade-level field trips will focus on our social studies units: • Day in Denver • Native Americans Science • 3rd graders tackle three science concepts throughout the school year: • Life Cycles • Earth’s Materials • Matter • The central focus of each of these concepts is change. • One of our grade-level field trips will focus on our science units: • Butterfly Pavilion • Monthly Science Experiments • We plan to have a monthly wholeclass science experiment that will reinforce critical thinking skills while integrating literacy skills. • Magic Science • At the end of the school year, each student will need to identify and practice a magic trick that can be performed for his/her classmates. • Students will be expected to discuss and explain the science behind his/her chosen magic trick. • More details to come... • GT Tech Challenge • The Tech Challenge is an opportunity for students to create a 5-minute digital presentation through which they address an essential question of their choosing. • i.e., How does music influence mood? • We collaborate with our teacher librarian, the GT resource teacher, and peers from the GT vertical team. • Presentations in February • Passion Projects • Passion Projects allow students to participate in an in-depth investigation of a topic of their choosing. • Presentations in April • Field Trips • We will be taking three field trips this year with our grade-level team. • We also plan to take a field trip or two with a class (or classes) from our vertical GT team. • Junior Achievement • Volunteers from a nonprofit organization come to teach about economics, local businesses and career opportunities. • ELF • Monthly science taught by parents. • If you have any ideas and/or connections for other field trips or in-class enrichment opportunities, please share! • Each week, one student will be selected to create and share an “All About Me” poster. • This is benefits our learning environment in multiple ways: • Students are given the opportunity to feel acknowledged and important • Our classroom community is strengthened • I get to learn things about students that I may not otherwise get to know • We will gladly be inviting volunteers into our classroom to share in our learning experiences beginning in October. • Volunteer opportunities include: • Coordinating classroom parties & celebrations • Helping with ELF • Providing content-specific resources from the public library • Stuffing Friday Folders (?) • Leading field trip groups • And more... • Students can expect daily math homework. This serves to reinforce new and previously learned concepts. • Students can also expect a weekly Brain Buster to be downloaded from the classroom website and turned in every Friday. • Additionally, students are expected to read nightly. • All 3rd graders are responsible for turning in homework on assigned due date. Missed homework that is unexcused can result in the loss of extra recess. • 4 – Advanced • 93% and above • Exceeding the standard • 3 – Proficient • 75-92% • Meeting the standard • 2 – Partially Proficient • 65-74% • Making progress toward the standard • 1 – Unsatisfactory • 64% and below • Lacking adequate progress toward the standard • Open and frequent communication is integral to our success in the classroom. • Expect an update sent via email at the end of each month. • Emails will be responded to within 48 hours (excluding weekends) • Our classroom website will be updated regularly with the following information: • Monthly communications • Major due dates & deadlines • Volunteer opportunities • Important documents and links • Etc. • Important communications will also be sent via Friday Folders • Our FLEX testing days will be held on Friday, September 11 and Monday, September 14. • We tentatively expect our reading assessment to take 30 minutes, but are awaiting further instruction from administration before scheduling. • A Sign-Up Genius link will be sent out. • Please feel free to email me with any questions you have from tonight or at any point in time throughout the school year. • jlmorris@jeffco.k12.co.us Thank you for your time and support!