Descriptions of Academic Areas
MORNING MEETING-Each day will begin at 7:45 with morning meeting. Morning meeting begins by reading the morning message at the rug as a group followed by a chosen activity. A glass greeting or game always follows the message. Morning meeting is a time when classroom compliments are given and problems are discussed. It allows the class to grow as a community so that all of the students feel comfortable sharing and working together during the school year. Morning meeting is always open to parents and friends to come as guests.
MATH-The math program that will be used this year is published by Investigations and Houghton Mifflin. The topics that will be taught are multiplication, division, perimeter, area, geometry, measurement, finding unknown amounts (algebra), fractions, estimation, data and statistics, decimals, percents, probability, and problem solving. There will also be ongoing math portfolio problems completed and scored throughout the year. The portfolio problems focus on using skills to accomplish problem solving. The Expressions program will be used as a supplement for Investigations. The primary focus of this program is computation.
WRITING-Specific writing genres that are required by the state of Vermont will be taught and completed this year. The writing genres include response to literature, report writing, procedural writing, narrative writing, and persuasive writing. These writing pieces will be scored and kept in a writing binder in the classroom. Poetry will also be written. Several pieces of writing will be integrated into the other academic areas.
SPECIALS-Monday-Music
Tuesday-Art
Wednesday-Music
Thursday-P.E.
Friday-P.E.
*Students needs to have sneakers every Thursday and Friday for P.E.
SNACK-An ongoing chapter book will be read out loud to the class while they eat their snack. The youth librarian Meagan will also be reading the read-a-loud throughout the year. Please do not send candy or soda as a snack with your child. A water bottle with your child’s name on it should remain at the school with your child for them to use throughout the day.
SOCIAL STUDIES-The topics that will be covered in social Studies this year are American people and the land we live on, early life, the east and west, connections across the continents, Colonial life, North America, the American Revolution, and Immigration. Several of the social studies topics will also be integrated into literature circles.
SCIENCE-The focus in science regardless of the topic, will always use the scientific method. The scientific method is the main focus of the VT Standards for grades 3-8. The topics that will be addressed this year are water conservation, geology, simple machines, force and motion, flight, ecology, and the human body.
READING-The reading block will last for over an hour everyday, but keep in mind students are reading in every academic area. During the reading time, students will be working in literature groups and completing specific phonetics-based assignments based on their need in this area. There will also be social studies and science incorporated into reading this year. There will be several assignments that your child will be responsible for completing while the instructor(s) works with literature groups throughout the year. Literature groups will consist of 2-6 students and change throughout the year. These groups allow for small group instruction and foster discussion among peers about literature that is read in class.
SPELLING-Spelling will be taught using a program called “Making Words.” There will be a spelling list coming home every Tuesday and a spelling test on every Monday. The word list will also include content words. Grammar is also taught during this time.
COMPUTER-Computer lab time is built into the schedule twice a week. During this time students will be using the Smartboard for math lessons and using the computers to complete research and writing assignments. The class will also be working with Dr. McKillop on a mapping and human body project during science.
HOMEWORK-Homework is written on the board everyday for your child to copy into their provided homework book. The provided homework book is to be brought to school everyday. Parents will need to sign the homework book each night and return it to school with your child so that I know you have checked the assignment for completion. This book also serves as your child’s reading log. In order to complete the monthly book requirement toward the 25 book reading requirement for the year, your child will need to be reading a minimum of 30 minutes a night. The reading is on top of any written assignments. Keep in mind that reading is “pleasure,” not homework.
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