Welcome To Nicole's Classroom!
|
Read Nicole Bronson's profile |
Parent Handbook for
Nicoles
Second/Third Grade Class
Classroom Promise
We
believe in the unique strengths, talents and gifts that each of us bring along
on our journey of learning together. We come to
Management
Philosophy
The key to a well-managed classroom is a well-planned,
developmentally appropriate, engaging and challenging curriculum. I aim to
facilitate optimal learning by responding to the needs of individual students
and the classroom as a whole. Children deserve a measure of freedom and choice
in their education with guidelines. Together we are building a caring,
structured and inviting atmosphere in which children feel supported in taking
risks. I am not only trying to model an enthusiasm for learning, but also the
characteristics of perseverance, cooperation, humility, respect and
graciousness. I recognize and rejoice in the best effort of each child and
encourage them to continue reaching for their greatest self.
Student Responsibility
The student must take responsibility for his or her own
decisions and the consequences these choices elicit. When students make
counterproductive choices, they need to receive consistent consequences that
help them understand their actions, develop new skills, and make more
productive choices. Most often a poor choice is recognized and redirected
without a problem. If one continues to indulge in their bad choice, the
individual will be sent to time out. In time out, one must acknowledge their
behavior, explain why they were engaging in it, and devise a solution.
Developing a sense of self-discipline is the goal.
If a child has more than five breaches of the classroom
principles within a weeks time, parents will be notified. Depending on the severity and
underlying causes of the behaviors, parents and the teacher will decide how to
alter any external forces that may be contributing to the poor choice of
behavior. Once these have been taken into consideration, a specific plan with
input from the student on how to change the behavior will be drawn up. Incentives
will be provided for
improved behavior, and
the student, parents, and teacher will commit to the
plan.
CLASS RULES!
- Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
- One person talks at a time.
- Keep your hands to yourself.
- Walk.
- Work quietly.
- Be Your BEST!
Academics
Entry Task School starts at 8:30am. I expect students to be punctual, and
begin working right away. The entry task will be an individual activity that
relates to something we will explore in more depth later that day in math,
language and/or the topic study. This time will also be used to finish up
anything that was left over from yesterday. This time of morning sets the
scholarly tone for the day. Your finished entry task is your ticket to recess.
Opening - Opening will be a series of small
chores that children complete as they arrive. These include putting your things
away, turning in work, and tending to individually assigned duties. Opening
will include calendar time. Each week, a new Calendar Keeper will be assigned
the job of keeping us up to date. The Calendar Keeper also teaches us
"Good Morning" in a new language, give a weather report, total up our
daily deposit in compounding interest, and make announcements.
Mathematics The
adopted math curriculum, Everyday Mathematics, is a comprehensive curriculum that follows
the National council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards. This
curriculum encourages children to solve problems, think about their numbers in
divergent ways and
share their thought
process through speaking, demonstration and writing. Everyday math balances
understanding concepts with mastering algorithms and basic facts. Major
concepts are revisited frequently as a child progresses from kindergarten to
sixth grade. We will work on varied lessons in Everyday Math workbooks as well
as math journals that address topic math, ongoing math labs and challenges.
In addition, calendar time
involves practicing skills such as patterning and sequence, number lines,
multiples, time, money, measurement, and mental math.
On alternate days during the week we reinforce basic facts with timed tests or practice makes better. Students race against themselves and move to the next problem set during one-minute fact tests on Mondays and Wednesdays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays the whole class works to earn as many flashcards as they can as a group in 5 minutes. If they improve their score every day for five rounds in a row, they earn a popcorn party. If they "break the bank" (go through a whole deck of cards), they earn an ice cream cone from the principal! As you can imagine, practice makes better is a HUGE hit!
Language Arts Specific lessons and activities in
literacy are supplemented by reading, writing, and speaking in all other areas
of the school day.
However, the following components are the backbone of our language arts
program:
- Writers
Workshop a mini lesson in any writing form (expository, narrative,
correspondence, procedural, poetry, jounalistic,
etc.) followed by time for authors to develop their ideas and write! Quality, finished pieces of
writing are the emphasis here and students will utilize the writing
process to achieve their best work. There is always time set aside at the
end of workshop for authors to read their finished, polished pieces aloud
to their peers and receive compliments, questions and feedback.
- Readers
Workshop I demonstrate reading comprehension strategies in mini-lessons
and shared activities during short, whole-group lessons. Readers then have an
opportunity to try the strategies as part of their reading process in a
book at their level. Children may be reading individually or in small
groups during this time. These strategies include making connections,
asking questions, comparing, inferring, predicting, making mental images
and synthesizing new information and ideas into our lives. Readers follow
up by creating responses that help them make meaning from their reading.
- Journal Writing
a time to ponder ideas and free write on many
topics.
- DEAR
drop everything and read!
Students choose their own books or magazines and record their responses
in a reading journal.
- McCracken Spelling and Phonics
small group instruction in the alphabetic code.
- Literature Circles
book clubs for kids.
Allows children to orally share and derive meaning from quality
literature in small groups. Students also make group response projects
that reflect their learning.
- SRI (scholastic reading
inventory) and QRI (qualitative reading inventory)
quarterly administered reading assessment that guide
instruction in fluency
and comprehension. These tools also measure reading growth.
- 100 Book Club
for those students who have read 100 appropriately leveled books.
Topic Topics are just one of the
beauties that make Pioneer an amazing school to get a real education at! The topic is what brings our learning
to life and gives experiences their authenticity! The topic is the vehicle that
takes us to other times, places, and peoples. I try to connect all that is
taught to the current topic. Research proves that this connectedness builds
bridges in our brains and improves retention.
Homework
Purpose
The
purpose of homework in grades K-4 is to provide practice, personal interest,
enrichment, and a developing sense of responsibility. The only homework
that is useful is that which enhances the childs
learning in school.
Policy
Younger
elementary student homework should concentrate on reading, spelling, math, and
occasionally science. I will express that this homework is the students
responsibility, and if they are confused, they can ask an adult for help. However, this is the students
homework, nobody elses. I will accept late homework within a
week of its assignment. Students can turn in their finished homework with their
homework folders on Fridays. I will keep a log of homework
turned in by each student. A student will receive feedback on their homework
that will encourage their efforts and help them improve those areas which could
benefit from some extra care. This can come from the teacher, parents, self, or
peers. Homework will be graded in the sense that it will contribute to the
overall picture of the childs growth in these content areas,
responsibility, and neatness.
Math Weekday Workouts (by the week)
should be completed. If
you need more space for a problem, do the work on another sheet of paper. There
will also be a math packet consisting of practice individualized for each
child. In addition to Weekday Workouts and the math packet, I will send home
unfinished or incorrect work to be returned ASAP.
Spelling Pioneer uses McCracken phonics to teach regular spelling, and
we give formal tests to teach sight words (those that do not follow any
spelling rules). Detailed spelling contracts for a weeks
worth of homework are sent out on Monday (or Friday if you need it earlier) and are to be turned in on
Friday in the homework folder. Tests are on Fridays unless we go on an all-day
field trip, in which cas it
will be on Thursday.
Sharing Sharing will be a required,
rotating homework assignment.
Wednesday afternoons, we will receive a 3-5 minute, prepared presentation from
one or two of our classmates on topic-related books, artifacts, pictures,
writings, or collections. After each child has presented, there will be a
two-minute question and answer session. The other options for "SHARE"
are photos, items, and souvenirs from an interesting trip or a student-authored
and illustrated book or other writing form. The more
audio-visuals to spice up the presentation, the
better. Have your child run through their presentation with you. See the
attached SHARE schedule.
Research Symposium
Presentations
Once per topic, children will choose a mini-theme within the study topic to
become an expert on. It
will be their job to glean information on their subject of personal interest from
books, the library, internet, scientists, historians, media, and observation.
In addition to researching their mini-theme, they will compose an interpretive
presentation to teach, inform, and delight their peers with at the end-of-topic
symposium. Specifics about the symposium and mini-themes for each topic will
arrive via letter as we begin each research project in school.
OTHER BITS and PIECES
Snacks Snacks will be brought in by students. These will need to
conform to "brain-friendly" food standards. For example healthy proteins, fresh fruit or veggies, or whole
grain snacks are proven to improve attention, attitude and learning. These foods will also
be talked about in class. Parents are welcome to provide healthy snacks for the
entire class.
Water Cool
Listening Listening will be expected when we are sharing ideas in
class, groups, or partners. We will know you are listening when you are
facing the speaker, have your hands to yourself, and your mouth closed.
Birthdays Birthdays will be celebrated by sharing treats passed out by the
birthday person if their family is interested in holding a celebration with
their class. I encourage birthdays at school because it helps us build
community. Just run the date of the party by me in advance so I can make
arrangements.
Volunteers I hope that you all have an opportunity to come join
our class in some capacity. I am always welcoming of any help, and it is
very beneficial to students to have more supportive adults nearby. If you have
a special skill or talent that would be a gift to Pioneer in any way, we
encourage you to share it!
Communication I am usually at the school any hour normal people would
be awake, and you can contact me there in person or via telephone. Please recognize that
the time before 8:20 is precious to me as a teacher and to your childs education. If you see the need to discuss issues that
arise during the school year in detail, please schedule a mini-conference with
me. Daily student work will be coming home as it is corrected and recorded. Please
check your childs mailbox when you come into the room, even though it is
their responsibility to take the mail out and get it to a parent. Betty and I will be
sending letters and forms home via the mailboxes.
GET AHOLD
OF NICOLE!
Home
Phone: (509) 624-5249
E-mail Address: nicole@pioneerschool.com
Thank you
for your ongoing support of expeditionary education at
Nicoles
Vision for Her Students
My vision is to send each child I teach down
the path of lifelong learning. I aim to inspire a childs greatest self to pursue his or her passion. My
hope is that each child I teach encounters themselves as a result of their
encounter with ideas.
Nicole A.
Bronson
Second/Third
Grade Teacher