Welcome to Open House 2012

Welcome to Open House

2012 Mrs. Mathusek

Agenda· Teacher

Information· Goals· Curriculum· Grading &

Behavior Policies· Daily Schedule· Tidbits

Educational Background· Graduate of Downingtown

High School· Graduate of West Chester

University with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education

· Graduate of PSU with a Masters and Certification in Special Education

My Credentials· Student Teacher, 4th Grade, General

Wayne with Mr. Wilkey· Classroom Teacher in 5th Grade at

GWES since 2004 · 5th grade mentor· Cooperating teacher · Member of the Reading, Writing, and

Core Extension Committees

My FamilyWe met in junior high

and we have been married for eleven

years. Bowzer

My FamilyEmilie and Michael Meghan

My Goals· To prepare your children for

middle school and life beyond· To ensure that your children

have a safe, fun, and exciting year

· To assist and encourage your children as they mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially grow into young adults

Language Arts· Components:

· Reader’s Workshop · Writer’s Workshop · Word Study

·vocabulary, spelling & grammar

· Interactive Read Aloud· Reinforcement of cursive

writing

Reader’s Workshop· Components:

· Mini-lesson· Independent reading with Post-

its· Partner reading and book clubs· Reading logs used daily in

workshop and at home · Teacher and peer conferences· Reader’s Notebook

· Every child assessed for their reading level

Writer’s Workshop· Components:

· Mini-lesson· Independent writing· Teacher and peer conferences

· Writer’s Notebook·Currently working on Personal Narratives

Word Study· Spelling:

· Word sorts and weekly activities· Students have their own spelling lists· Work in small groups on specific skills· Bi-weekly assessments

· Vocabulary:· LINCS strategy for 5 words· Bi-weekly assessments

· Grammar:· Parts of speech

How can you help?· Read with with your child and

ask them questions· Share the books you’re

reading· Sign their reading log · Mystery Reader· Donate books· Order Scholastic books

(volunteer)· Read their written responses· Practice sorts and quiz

spelling words

Social Studies· Readers

· Age of Invention· Immigration· Progressive Era· WWI· Roaring 20s· Great

Depression· WWII· Cold War· Civil Rights

Movement· Modern

Decades

· Integrated library research lessons

· Readers must be kept in plastic bags!

Math(5th grade)

· Text· Scott Foresman: D.I. and

Investigations· Numbers and Number Systems· Fractions, Decimals and

Percents· Geometry· Data Analysis· Measurement· Algebra

*Practice math facts*

Math(6th grade)

· Text· Prentice

Hall· Emphasis on

Algebraic concepts

· First In Math for all students

All math texts available

online!

***Math groups created by a

math committee

based on previous test

scores. GWES practices a

“flexible grouping” policy.***

Science(Kits supported by Harcourt Text and readers)

· Marking Pd #1:· Environments Kit

· Marking Pd #2:· Astronomy Kit

· Marking Pd #3:· Rocks and

Minerals Kit

Integrated library research lessons

Science· Science

Notebooks· Primary study

guide· Teacher-guided set

up· Students are

responsible for copying missed notes

· Graded

Grading Policy(Posted on Skyward)

· Standards-Based Report Card· 4=Advanced· 3=Proficient · 2=Basic· 1=Below Basic

· Averaged composite score for tests, quizzes, homework, and projects · A, B, C, D, or E

· Effort grade for each subject· E=Excellent,

C=Consistent, I=Inconsistent, L=Little Effort

· Scores for Characteristics of the Learner· CO=Commendable

S=SatisfactoryI=Inconsistent, U=Unsatisfactory

Behavior Policy for Room 002

· Character Counts (school-wide policy)

· Cooperative Learning· Class rewards

· Individual HW charts

· Consequences for poor choices include loss of recess, note, Stop and Think, phone call by student or teacher or conference

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program· Researched based program involving classroom,

and school-wide efforts regarding the prevention and intervention of bullying

· Core team is working at GWES to refine the program

· Class meetings held every Wednesday from 8:55-9:15 to work on problem solving current issues and how to prevent future ones

· Mini-lessons to discuss bullying, bystander, target, and instigator

· Attend PTO meetings for school updates· Olweus pamphlets are available

Homework· On average, homework will take

approximately 60 minutes each night. · Homework is to be completed neatly,

according to the directions and handed in on time.

· Please help, but do not do! · Please sign your child’s assignment

book AFTER you’ve looked at your child’s work.

Classroom Celebrations · Students are permitted to bring in

non-edible items to share with the class for birthdays. (pencils or stickers)

· Class parties need to have some healthy food in addition to all of the yummy treats.

· Students are permitted to have a healthy snack throughout the day.

Field Trips & Important Dates

· October:· GVNC 10/5

· November:· Conferences

· December:· PL&TC 12/4

· February:· Field test of

new PSSA 2/4*Chaperones selected via

lottery*

· March-April:· PSSA Testing

(reading, writing, and math)

· Conferences · May:

· GVMS visit · Washington

D.C. 5/31· June:

· Human Growth and Development

5th Grade Perks· October:

· Halloween 10/31· Following the parade

· December:· Winter

concert· Holiday party

· February:· Exchange of

valentines—no party

· June:· End of the

Year celebration

· Yearbooks · T-shirts

Daily Schedule · School starts at 8:50 A.M. sharp!

· I posted our schedule on my webpage.

· If possible, please schedule appointments at the beginning or the end of the school day.

Contact Information:[email protected]

610-647-6651 ext. 1002Please visit my webpage for

classroom updates and curriculum news!

Let’s Have a Great Year!