Welcome- Keep up to date
I would like to formally welcome both you and your child to my classroom for the 2018-19 school year at Seven Bar Elementary School. Your child's education is of the utmost importance to me, as I know it is to you. In order to keep you informed of what is happening in the classroom and to also provide further resources and reminders that can be used at home; I have developed a classroom website. The website is located at mrsnunez.weebly.com (If you are already here, welcome). I will be using the website throughout the school year to post on-going information about classroom and school events, information pertaining to lessons and classroom content, as well as links to helpful websites and additional resources that will help to reinforce the content we will cover in the classroom. I will also contact parents through the online App Class Dojo.
The HOMEPAGE will have school-wide events and classroom information including the classroom discipline policy and links. The links include the scholastic book orders, Typing Web and Class Dojo. Parent teacher conferences will be set up on Sign-Up genius. On Class Dojo parents can instant message me, receive reminders for events and check student behaviors.
Teacher Contact- One of the best ways to contact me is via email. My email address is [email protected]. If you forget my email or if you are unable to log into outlook there is a contact section on the homepage that links directly to my email. Please also consider getting class Dojo app with instant messaging capabilities.
Class Schedule – The class schedule is on the homepage with "Pull-Outs" (PE, Art, Library) and with subject times if you are ever wondering what your student will miss if they have to leave class early.
Classroom Newsletter/Information- There is a tab on my webpage labeled NEWS/BLOG which will be set up in a blog comment/response fashion. I will try to update the newsletter every other week, depending on lesson changes. The Math, Reading, Grammar and Social Studies/Science links will be updated when classroom content and lessons change. These tabs will have student links and information. If a research project is assigned I try to describe the project on the webpage with visual examples and pictures. I try to send out copies of the news blog in an email format, as well as on the Class Dojo webpage.
The HOMEPAGE will have school-wide events and classroom information including the classroom discipline policy and links. The links include the scholastic book orders, Typing Web and Class Dojo. Parent teacher conferences will be set up on Sign-Up genius. On Class Dojo parents can instant message me, receive reminders for events and check student behaviors.
Teacher Contact- One of the best ways to contact me is via email. My email address is [email protected]. If you forget my email or if you are unable to log into outlook there is a contact section on the homepage that links directly to my email. Please also consider getting class Dojo app with instant messaging capabilities.
Class Schedule – The class schedule is on the homepage with "Pull-Outs" (PE, Art, Library) and with subject times if you are ever wondering what your student will miss if they have to leave class early.
Classroom Newsletter/Information- There is a tab on my webpage labeled NEWS/BLOG which will be set up in a blog comment/response fashion. I will try to update the newsletter every other week, depending on lesson changes. The Math, Reading, Grammar and Social Studies/Science links will be updated when classroom content and lessons change. These tabs will have student links and information. If a research project is assigned I try to describe the project on the webpage with visual examples and pictures. I try to send out copies of the news blog in an email format, as well as on the Class Dojo webpage.
Classroom Discipline
Class Dojo and Classroom Discipline- Students have their names written down on cards. All students start their name on green everyday. Green is for students who are on task and working well in teams. This system is based on the 1, 2, 3 magic system. When a student is off task for any inappropriate behaviors (excessive talking, disrespectful attitude etc.) he or she needs to move their name down to the next color. Each color has a specific consequence.
BLUE- is a warning. The consequence is just a reminder to behave.
YELLOW- The student receives a warning and the behavior is documented in my notes and on the Class Dojo Site.
ORANGE- Student needs to sit out for 5 minutes and write down their behavior to be signed in their student agendas by parents and on Dojo and may miss part of Friday Fun on Friday.
RED- Student is sent to another teacher or to the office depending on severity of the action. Parents are called, student loses 2 behavior points and will sit out all of Friday Fun on Friday. Administration may be calling parents.
Keeping Track of Behaviors- I keep track of student behaviors in teams and individually using the program Bloomz. To log into bloomz, please use the classroom code. Students receive 1 individual point for every 5 team points they earn in class. These points are accrued by each student and can be used by students for Friday Fun activities. Students can also lose points for behavioral issues and missing homework assignments including agendas, reading homework, spelling and math. I keep a written log of all the times a student has moved to blue, yellow, orange or red. I have students graph their behaviors daily by coloring in the month section of their student agendas.
Popcorn and a Movie Parties- Along with the individual points, I award team points in the class for cooperative learning skills. Each time every team receives 25 points at the end of the day, they receive a letter until it spells out popcorn and a movie. The entire class then gets to watch a movie. I try to watch movies that are based on books I am reading aloud to the class. Most parents have already signed a preliminary permission slip to watch PG movies and I will be sending home an individual slip each time we earn a movie.
BLUE- is a warning. The consequence is just a reminder to behave.
YELLOW- The student receives a warning and the behavior is documented in my notes and on the Class Dojo Site.
ORANGE- Student needs to sit out for 5 minutes and write down their behavior to be signed in their student agendas by parents and on Dojo and may miss part of Friday Fun on Friday.
RED- Student is sent to another teacher or to the office depending on severity of the action. Parents are called, student loses 2 behavior points and will sit out all of Friday Fun on Friday. Administration may be calling parents.
Keeping Track of Behaviors- I keep track of student behaviors in teams and individually using the program Bloomz. To log into bloomz, please use the classroom code. Students receive 1 individual point for every 5 team points they earn in class. These points are accrued by each student and can be used by students for Friday Fun activities. Students can also lose points for behavioral issues and missing homework assignments including agendas, reading homework, spelling and math. I keep a written log of all the times a student has moved to blue, yellow, orange or red. I have students graph their behaviors daily by coloring in the month section of their student agendas.
Popcorn and a Movie Parties- Along with the individual points, I award team points in the class for cooperative learning skills. Each time every team receives 25 points at the end of the day, they receive a letter until it spells out popcorn and a movie. The entire class then gets to watch a movie. I try to watch movies that are based on books I am reading aloud to the class. Most parents have already signed a preliminary permission slip to watch PG movies and I will be sending home an individual slip each time we earn a movie.
Classwork & Homework
GRADED CLASSROOM ASSESSMENTS-
Student Data Binders- Most of the graded pages in the classroom are kept in a data binder by the students and are graphed on charts that match the different sections of the student Report Card which include Reading, Writing, Study Skills, Social Studies, Science, and Math. At the end of the trimester students fill out a goal sheet for the next trimester. As a class we analyze their data from the trimester and look for weaknesses and strengths, and use that information to create new goals for the next trimester. The format of the data binders is designed so students can show parents their growth quickly over time and also share their assessments. Students are able to explain what areas they need to work on the most and how people at home can help them. I use these data binders at parent teacher conferences, but students can take home their data binders to show parents at any time. This allows students to better understand that their work is a direct reflection of their report card. This also allows students to see progress throughout the year. Please make sure the student brings the binder back PROMPTLY so we can continue to add work.
HOMEWORK-
Agendas- This year each child should have already received an agenda as part of his or her fourth grade supplies. It is your child's responsibility to write down his/her assignments. I usually have students fill out any important information for the week on Monday. Each day, students take the agenda home, and then bring it back signed by a parent or guardian. The agendas are routinely used to help students prepare for middle school. Help your child develop an independent and responsible attitude toward homework by providing a set time and a quiet place for students to complete homework.
Homework- Please help monitor your child's homework assignments by making sure they are completed neatly and turned in on time.
Reading Homework- Students should be reading every night Monday through Thursday night. In their agendas students need to write the TITLE, AUTHOR and NUMBER OF PAGES READ. Please try to focus on grade-level chapter books. If a student consistently misses reading homework I may require a summary written nightly until they develop the habit of reading each night.
Math Homework - This year APS has purchased the math program called Stepping Homework will be assigned depending on the completion of math lessons during the day. There are no tear out book pages in the math booklets this year, so if students do not finish in class they will need to take home their entire math book and return it finished the very next day.
Math Facts should also be practiced often. Students need to memorize them and be able to recite them quickly. They should no longer be counting on their fingers by the middle of the year!
There are 2 websites for student math homework, in lieu of written pages.
Social Studies Homework- Students will be memorizing the 50 states and capitals using a song that is available on the Social Studies section of the website. Students only need to practice 1 line per week. They only need to know the states and their capitals, not the locations.
Social Studies Homework- The Spelling list for the week will be handed out on Mondays. The page is due back on Friday and the spelling test will also take place on Fridays.
Special Projects- Each trimester I try to give the students a larger research project that needs to be presented to the class. These projects help teach the students how to research and how to manage time for larger projects. These qualities are very important in order to prepare students for the 5th grade and middle school. The main purpose of the projects are to teach students to talk in front of others and to balance their time wisely instead of waiting until the last minute.
Student Data Binders- Most of the graded pages in the classroom are kept in a data binder by the students and are graphed on charts that match the different sections of the student Report Card which include Reading, Writing, Study Skills, Social Studies, Science, and Math. At the end of the trimester students fill out a goal sheet for the next trimester. As a class we analyze their data from the trimester and look for weaknesses and strengths, and use that information to create new goals for the next trimester. The format of the data binders is designed so students can show parents their growth quickly over time and also share their assessments. Students are able to explain what areas they need to work on the most and how people at home can help them. I use these data binders at parent teacher conferences, but students can take home their data binders to show parents at any time. This allows students to better understand that their work is a direct reflection of their report card. This also allows students to see progress throughout the year. Please make sure the student brings the binder back PROMPTLY so we can continue to add work.
HOMEWORK-
Agendas- This year each child should have already received an agenda as part of his or her fourth grade supplies. It is your child's responsibility to write down his/her assignments. I usually have students fill out any important information for the week on Monday. Each day, students take the agenda home, and then bring it back signed by a parent or guardian. The agendas are routinely used to help students prepare for middle school. Help your child develop an independent and responsible attitude toward homework by providing a set time and a quiet place for students to complete homework.
Homework- Please help monitor your child's homework assignments by making sure they are completed neatly and turned in on time.
Reading Homework- Students should be reading every night Monday through Thursday night. In their agendas students need to write the TITLE, AUTHOR and NUMBER OF PAGES READ. Please try to focus on grade-level chapter books. If a student consistently misses reading homework I may require a summary written nightly until they develop the habit of reading each night.
Math Homework - This year APS has purchased the math program called Stepping Homework will be assigned depending on the completion of math lessons during the day. There are no tear out book pages in the math booklets this year, so if students do not finish in class they will need to take home their entire math book and return it finished the very next day.
Math Facts should also be practiced often. Students need to memorize them and be able to recite them quickly. They should no longer be counting on their fingers by the middle of the year!
There are 2 websites for student math homework, in lieu of written pages.
- Xtramath- This website allows students to practice multiplication math facts. The program automatically determines the math facts the child needs the most help with. Students should know their login. Please email me if they forgot.
- Prodigy Math- Students play a quest style game where they practice math from the common core state standards. Students have a login name and password. Please email me for that information.
Social Studies Homework- Students will be memorizing the 50 states and capitals using a song that is available on the Social Studies section of the website. Students only need to practice 1 line per week. They only need to know the states and their capitals, not the locations.
Social Studies Homework- The Spelling list for the week will be handed out on Mondays. The page is due back on Friday and the spelling test will also take place on Fridays.
Special Projects- Each trimester I try to give the students a larger research project that needs to be presented to the class. These projects help teach the students how to research and how to manage time for larger projects. These qualities are very important in order to prepare students for the 5th grade and middle school. The main purpose of the projects are to teach students to talk in front of others and to balance their time wisely instead of waiting until the last minute.
Parent Volunteers & Ways you can help
Scholastic Book Orders- Orders are placed every two weeks.
Classroom Wishlist- There are some items that I am asking for parents to donate to the classroom.
1. Small Prizes for our prize box. Party favors that are found in the Walmart aisle are good for our prize box.
2. Black Expo Dry Erase Markers! Each students has an individual dry erase board. The workroom markers last only about 2-3 weeks at the most. If your child wants their own set of dry erase markers I would suggest getting 1 or 2. Some students choose to get a package of dry erase markers and share them throughout the year in their groups.
4. Old Board Games- We use old board games with different centers in class.
Parent Volunteers-
· Class Field Trip Chaperones- please make sure you have a current background check on file with the school office. If you are interested please go to www.aps.edu or the link on the homepage of the class website to get your volunteer background check.
· Classroom parties- I will email the date of each party and I would appreciate parent help in organizing the party supplies. Last year a parent created a “sign-up genius” account for party supply sign-up.
· Fluency Assessments- a parent volunteer on Wednesdays is always helpful to give fluency assessments to students. Each child reads the same passage for 1 minute and the words said correctly in 1 minute are recorded. This would be every other Wednesday. If Wednesdays do not work for you I can work with you for different days/times.
· Occasional Classroom Copies- If you can commit to coming on day during the week throughout the year to help make copies, please let me know. I usually complete most of the years copies in the first couple months of school so no further copies need to be made.
You are always welcome to email me or give me a call if you have any questions. There is also a contact form on the home page of the website.
Thanks again and I look forward to a great school year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nuñez
Classroom Wishlist- There are some items that I am asking for parents to donate to the classroom.
1. Small Prizes for our prize box. Party favors that are found in the Walmart aisle are good for our prize box.
2. Black Expo Dry Erase Markers! Each students has an individual dry erase board. The workroom markers last only about 2-3 weeks at the most. If your child wants their own set of dry erase markers I would suggest getting 1 or 2. Some students choose to get a package of dry erase markers and share them throughout the year in their groups.
4. Old Board Games- We use old board games with different centers in class.
Parent Volunteers-
· Class Field Trip Chaperones- please make sure you have a current background check on file with the school office. If you are interested please go to www.aps.edu or the link on the homepage of the class website to get your volunteer background check.
· Classroom parties- I will email the date of each party and I would appreciate parent help in organizing the party supplies. Last year a parent created a “sign-up genius” account for party supply sign-up.
· Fluency Assessments- a parent volunteer on Wednesdays is always helpful to give fluency assessments to students. Each child reads the same passage for 1 minute and the words said correctly in 1 minute are recorded. This would be every other Wednesday. If Wednesdays do not work for you I can work with you for different days/times.
· Occasional Classroom Copies- If you can commit to coming on day during the week throughout the year to help make copies, please let me know. I usually complete most of the years copies in the first couple months of school so no further copies need to be made.
You are always welcome to email me or give me a call if you have any questions. There is also a contact form on the home page of the website.
Thanks again and I look forward to a great school year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nuñez