Curriculum
Reading/Language Arts – SUPERKIDS- Rowland Reading Foundation
(Superkids Reading Program is a core reading program designed for kindergarten through second grade that looks like no other and works like no other, with a cast of characters that children love. Based on a proven pedagogy and compelling brain research, it combines rigor and fun to deliver on its promise: Every child will learn to read.)
-Whole group instruction
-Small group instruction
*Vocabulary Words
-Guided Reading (flexible small groups based on individual needs of each child)
-Independent reading (free time)
-Spelling ( Pattern and Memory words provided in each unit)
Pattern words - focus on a phonics or sound pattern
Memory words- simple sight words intended for students to memorize and use in their everyday speech
- Dictation sentences are given to focus on capital letters and correct punctuation
-Test days will vary; please look at your child's home-folder or this website under news and updates for test dates. Most of the times they are on a Friday unless it is a short week, holiday, etc.
Writing (Superkids and supplimental materials)
-Main writing pieces (short paragraph writing)
Focus on:
-Content (providing supportive details)
-Organization (logical order – beginning, middle, end)
-Conventions (grammar, complete sentences, correct punctuation, spelling, and capitalization)
Handwriting (forming upper and lowercase letters properly)
**Three types of writing texts (Narrative, Opinion, and Informational)
-Journals
-Inventive spelling (Kid Writing)
-Daily Editing
- One on one conferencing
Math (Go Math)
-Assessments (fact and written)
-Facts (addition, subtraction)
-Spiral Curriculum
-The students typically get daily homework (one sheet, two-sided)
-Parents should assist and go over homework with child each night to check for corrections.
**Please circle all problems that your child has difficulty completing.
-In-school practice in math workbook (please review these pages when they come home to help assist with homework sheets)
-Starts out easy and progressively gets harder throughout the year
-Use of real/play money
Science (Mystery Science)
-Use of computer, smartboard, handouts ,and packets
-Hands-on experiments/Projects
-Literature connections
-Quizzes given occasionally (will be notified in advance)
Social Studies (TCI)
-Use of textbook and educational packets
-Real life connections (Constitution Day, Fire Prevention, Our Country, History,
Holiday Traditions,etc.)
-Quizzes given occasionally (will be notified in advance)
Health
- Use of textbook and educational packets
- Hands-on projects/experiments
-Real-life connections (changes in seasons, healthy food choices, proper hygiene, etc.)
SEL (Social/Emotional Learning)
-Second Step Program
-Use of computer, smartboard, handouts ,and packets
-Role playing and real-life connections
-Student led discussions
-Think pair/share
CLASSROOM ROUTINES AND PROCEDURES
*HOMEWORK – Typically given Monday through Thursday and some Fridays
-Spelling is given in the beginning of the week (typically Monday) in the form of a Tic Tac Toe board and it is due at the end of the week (Friday)
- Math is given daily unless specified otherwiese.
- 10 minutes of reading is required each night. Bags of books will be sent home or your child can choose a book on their own that is level and age appropriate.
**It is also encouraged and recommended to practice math facts and read on a daily basis (will not be written in homwork packet each week)
-Later in the school year small reading bags will be sent home with stories to read and sometimes a story builder sheet will be assigned to go with the book
*TESTS/ASSESSMENTS
-Will be sent home as they are completed and graded.
-It is encouraged to review the graded items with your child as well as go over any mistakes.
-Please feel free to notify me if you see any grading errors or have any questions ( I make mistakes too).
*DISCIPLINE/BEHAVIOR SYSTEM AND REWARDS FOR POSITIVE BEHAVIOR
-PAWS program
-Whole class (pom-pom jar)
-Individual (color cube system)
• Discipline/behavior
-Progressive warning system with loss of privileges (three strike system)
*Please refer to Student Handbook for school discipline/behavior code.
*SHARING
-Every child will get a chance to share (Star Student of the Week)
*FIELD TRIPS
-Spring field trip – undecided
-CHAPERONES WILL BE NEEDED AND SELECTED IN SPRING AS WELL
*BOOK CLUBS (handed out monthly)
*NO CASH PLEASE
**Please make checks payable to Scholastic Book Clubs. You can also purchase online. If you do make an online order, please let me know as I am not always notified. Thank you!
*CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS
-Classroom helpers (work with students and/or complete clerical tasks)
-Parties and special events
*SNACK
-Students may bring in a healthy, individual snack or snacks (1-2) on a daily basis. Examples of healthy snacks are: cut fruit/vegetables, pretzels, crackers, and granola bars. Please no cookies, chips, cheese curls, candy, etc. Snacks cannot be left in the classroom. Please do not send in any sticky or wet snacks for we usually work while we snack and they tend to be messy. Also, if possible, please make sure snack is in a container that your child can open and/or close on their own.
**PLEASE SEND IN A WATER BOTTLE WITH YOUR CHILD EACH DAY AS OUR WATER FOUNTAINS ARE NOT BEING USED AT THIS TIME FOR INDIVIDUAL DRINKS.
*LUNCH
-Please send lunch money to school with your child when needed. Money can be added to student account online or in school. The money provided will be added to your child’s account. If you do not have an envelope, please put it in a baggy with your child's name on it.
- Money will be added to a ticket and I will hold on to the tickets in the classroom and hand them out daily.
-When ticket running low, you will get a notice sent home in your child's home-folder.
-Lunch price is $3.50.
**Please note on early dismissal days there will be no school lunches served, however first grade allows students to eat snacks or a packed lunch in the classroom on these days. You may send in extra snacks or a bagged lunch to school with your child on early dismissal days.
*NEWSLETTER – weekly (*not sent out on a designated day)
The first few months will be in a paper form. These can also be found on my webpage. After the first few months, they will only be found on the webpage. I will send a reminder home during this time along with the link if needed. ( Hoping to save some trees)
*ABSENCES
-If your child is absent from school, please contact the school by 8:45 to report the absence.
-*School phone number
908-689-0681
*CAR PICK-UPS
-If your child is going to be a car pick-up, please send a note to school with your child or notify the office by 9:30 a.m. If you send me an email, I may not always get the chance to check it before the end of the day, therefore calling the school office would be better. On the note please provide student's full name, date and time of pick up and whom will be picking the child up. Thank you.
*HEALTH INFORMATION
-*Please be sure to return the Health Services card as soon as possible.
-All medication goes to the school nurse.