Welcome to CTA Kindergarten

Curriculum Night August 3rd, 2011

Outline for this evening

Welcome

School Information

Philosophy: The Chandler Traditional School program was founded on the principle that parents and staff work together as partners to provide an education that encourages students to pursue academic excellence to the best of their abilities. The back to basics curriculum, pace of studies, and specific expectations for academic achievement, behavior, and dress require a firm commitment from every parent student, and teacher. By selecting CTA Liberty, parents, students, and staff are responsible for and committed to supporting CTA Programs, upholding standards, and following the rules and policies of the school.

Office (480) 883-4900 Nurse (480) 883-4902 Attendance (480) 883-4903 Ms. Miller’s voicemail (480) 883-4933 [email protected]

Newsletter & Calendar School Thursday Notice bimonthly - (Liberty Ledger) Second Grade Newsletter weekly **Please check my website on a weekly basis for the most current newsletter. **You can register for my website to receive an E-Alert when the newsletter has been updated. Homework Second graders are assigned homework Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It is due back the following day. There will be no homework assignment on Friday, although students are always encouraged to continue at-home reading. Homework will consist of review and practice skills in math, handwriting, language, writing, spelling, and reading. Additional assignments may occasionally be given. Homework should not take longer than 30 minutes to complete. If it is taking your child longer or the work is too difficult and causes frustration for you or your child, please use your discretion and make adjustments, such as selecting only certain problems or questions to complete. If this is happening consistently, please contact me so we can make adjustments. Please verify at-home reading time as well as other accurately completed homework by signing the yellow homework cover sheets and returning them daily along with the completed homework. The yellow cover sheet will serve as a parent/teacher means of communication.

Reading 20 minutes = 1 point Spelling = 1 point Math = 1 point Language = 1 point Parent Signature = 1 point

Reading Log – See attached Our goal is to encourage independent, life-long readers. Students can be read to or read with someone at home if they need assistance. Students are encouraged to read a variety of books – fiction, non-fiction, tall tales, biographies, mysteries, poems, and even comic books. Each quarter your student will be required to turn in a reading log. The number of books required for a student to read each quarter depends on the student’s current ZPD reading range and the number of points required to meet their reading goal, which is determined by the AR goal-setting chart, teacher, and student. The students will be required to take AR quizzes in order to receive points to meet their reading goal for the quarter. There will be a limited amount of time set aside during the school day for students to take AR quizzes, such as class time, lunch recess, and during computer lab. CTA-Liberty participates in the Accelerated Reader Program (AR). AR is a program where the students read leveled books, then take comprehension quizzes on them. The results of the quizzes can be seen at Renaissance Home Connect – https://hosted153.renlearn.com/254902/Homeconnect/Login.aspx. You can also find this link under the CTA reading corner too! We also encourage you to visit the Chandler Public Library often.

Curriculum – Check standards online

The CTA traditional program develops a solid foundation of fundamental and higher level thinking skills through a structured curriculum that is consistent within each grade level and sequential throughout the grades. The kindergarten through sixth grade curriculum is taught using direct teaching techniques, whole class instruction and approved teaching methods and is not interrupted for non-curricular programs or activities. The phonics based Spalding program is the basis of the CTA Language Arts curriculum. Also included in the curriculum will be special area classes such as, Library, Music, and Physical Education. Technology will be incorporated throughout the curriculum as appropriate in accordance with Arizona State Standards and within district guidelines. With the exception of Special Education classes, pull out programs are not provided at CTA; however many of these programs such as Orchestra, Band, Chorus, Foreign Languages, Student Council, and Sports, will be available either before or after the regular school day. Math – Saxon - 3rd Grade Standards Spalding Spelling – Students will be given a phonogram quiz, sentence dictation test, and spelling test every Thursday Writing – Sentences daily, paragraphs, stories, or reports weekly Reading– Weekly comprehension test on Fridays and comprehension quiz every Wednesday on a story students read on their own

GradeSpeed Information -ParentConnection Sign-Up (see attached) -Progress Reports -Report Cards

Miscellaneous

Behavior and Classroom Management Class Rules 1. Follow all directions the first time given. 2. Keep hands, feet, and objects to self. 3. Use kind, respectful words. 4. Be quiet when someone else is talking. 5. Always Do Your Very Best!

Consequences 1. Verbal warning/redirection 2. Five minutes loss of recess 3. 10 minutes loss of recess 4. 15 minutes loss of recess and parent phone call 5. Office referral and parent phone call

Earnings for Good Behavior 1. Verbal praise 2. Stickers or other prizes 3. Recognition awards at monthly assemblies 4. Positive notes sent home/phone calls Specials Schedule Day 1 – P.E. @ 1:30 – 2:00 Day 2 – Music @ 1:30 – 2:00 Day 3 – Computers @ 1:30 – 2:00 Day 4 – P.E. @ 1:30 – 2:00 Day 5 – Music @ 1:30 – 2:00 Day 6 – Library @ 1:30 – 2:00

Other Things Homework binders travel to and from school and home daily (even weekends) Lunch Money (www.mylunchmoney.com) Pop-up Water Bottles – Please!!! Toys, etc. – Please leave at home. Star of the Week – see sample letter attached Book Orders - Forms will be sent home monthly Birthdays

Below is CTA Liberty’s policy for celebrating birthdays:

Birthdays are special and fun to celebrate. Last year, C.T.A. Liberty implemented a new Birthday Celebration routine. We are asking all families to please not send in any birthday treats.

Instead, the class will help the birthday child celebrate and the teacher will present the birthday child with a special ‘birthday gift’.

C.T.A. Liberty feels that this will help keep the focus on learning and will help make birthday celebrations more consistent and fair for all students.

If you have concerns about this school policy, please contact the front office.

Questions “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land amongst the stars.” -Les Brown

Congratulations!!

You are next week's Star of the Week!

You will get to make a "Star Student" poster to share with the class. This will give us an opportunity to get to know you better. Please bring your poster in by Monday.

I will display your poster for the class on our “Star

Student” bulletin board all week long. You will also be able to share a favorite book on Wednesday. If it is a short book, I will read it to the class. If it is a chapter book,

I will read a chapter. Then once a month, all "Star

Students" for that month will get to eat lunch with me.

You may bring a lunch from home or buy from the cafeteria and we will eat in the classroom!

Monday - Bring Star Student Poster

Wednesday - Share a favorite book End of the month - Eat lunch with Ms. Miller

We look forward to getting to know you!! ~~ Ms. Miller ~~