University Orientation: Texas Longhorns

1. University Orientation: Texas Longhorns Ms. Brandi Miller September 12, 2013

2. Welcome!!! • About Ms. Miller: • Born and raised in Diamond Bar • Earned a softball scholarship to UMASS—Amherst • Studied elementary education at Boston College • Mom to (almost) 5year old Lauryn

3. Tonight’s Agenda: Class handbook and procedures Behavior Management Curriculum and Standards Specialist Classes/Schedule Homework Grading Special events & Celebrations Communication Volunteers

4. Class Handbook and Procedures • Sent home tonight with Longhorns • To be kept in STAR Book • Attached on class website • Procedures ensure smooth running of the classroom

5. Behavior Management • Rules: • Listen when your teacher is talking • Follow directions quickly • Raise your hand to speak or leave your seat • Make smart choices • Keep your dear teacher happy!

6. Behavior Management • Rewards: • Class Dojo points • Reward coupons • Scratch off tickets • The joy of learning • Class Dojo: • Individual behavior management • Real time, on-line tool • Earn points for following rules/making good choices • Earn rewards for every 10 points

7. Behavior Management • Consequences: • First infraction: Verbal warning. Student will receive a verbal warning stamp in the agenda. • Second infraction: Lose a point on Class Dojo. Fill out a “Making Better Choices” slip. Student will receive a making better choices stamp in the agenda. • Third infraction: Lose a second point on Class Dojo. Parents notified. • Fourth infraction: Lose a third point on Class Dojo. Written referral and student sent to the office. Better Choices: __ Warning __ Red Slip

8. Behavior Management • How is behavior calculated? • Each Longhorn begins each trimester with a 100% in classroom behavior. • Each warning lowers the students’ behavior grade 2%. • Each “Making Better Choices” slip lowers the behavior grade by another 3%. • If parents are notified for behavior purposes, the behavior grade will be lowered an additional 5%. • An office referral automatically lowers the behavior grade to 60%. • Please remember that students need to stay above 90% in classroom behavior in order to earn an “A” for the trimester.

9. Curriculum • Standards based • Language arts: organizational patterns of text, Greek and Latin root words, understanding and utilizing various reference resources • Math: Multi digit multiplication, long division, understanding fractions and decimals • Writing: personal narrative, summary, report writing, and response to literature • Social Studies: California History • Science: rock cycle, geological changes, electricity, ecosystems, and the food web

10. Standards • Language Arts • Word Analysis, Fluency, & Vocabulary=24% • Reading Comprehension=20% • Literary Response & Analysis=12% • Written Conventions=24% • Writing Strategies=20% • Mathematics • Number Sense=48% • Algebra & Functions=28% • Measurement & Geometry=18% • Statistics, Data Analysis, & Probability=6% See the handouts of the 4th grade blueprints for further information on the STAR test

11. JiJi Math • 4thgraders will use continue to use JiJi Math to help prepare them for the STAR test, as well as review important concepts in different ways. • JiJi will be assigned for homework throughout the week. It is important that students login regularly in order to continue to progress through all the levels. • By the time we take the STAR test in May, we need students to have completed 75% of the program.

12. Specialists Classes • Computer lab • Band • Jiji cart • P.E. • Science lab • Music • Foreign Language Specialist classes begin this week

13. WORLD LANGUAGES A NEW FOCUS ON

14. OPA World Language Objective: Students will Acquire Fluency In at Least One Foreign Language

15. 2013 World Language ModelIncreasing Fluency One Year at a Time To achieve this objective, instruction time must increase, effective teachers must be employed, as well as continuation of target language. MANDARIN REQUIRES 3X INSTRUCTION TIME AS WESTERN LANGUAGES Introduce Mandarin to young learners – gradually increase instructionGive option in 5th grade to continue or focus on Western Language of Choice TK-4 MANDARIN INSTRUCTION: (3 TIMES/WK X 30 MIN) 5-7* MANDARIN OR WESTERN INSTRUCTION (3 TIMES/WK X 45 MIN) 2013 - 8TH FRENCH INSTRUCTION 2014 - 5-8* WILL MAKE LANGUAGE CHOICE

16. Homework • Assigned Monday-Thursday • Due at the start of the next day • Please review at home and ensure it is turned in clean and neat • 60-90 minutes of homework and 15-20 minutes of reading

17. Homework Deficency

18. Grading • A: Advanced 90-100% • B: Proficient 80-89%% • C: Basic 70-79% % • D: Below Basic 60-69%% • F: Far-Below Basic 0-59%% • Tests from the previous week will be sent home for you to review on Mondays. Please make sure your Longhorn returns his/her test folder with the signed test notice each Tuesday.

19. Special Events • Sacramento Trip • SCRIPS for trips • Participating families purchase gift cards though www.shopwithscrip.com and profits are recorded in a family “account” for use for reimbursement when you wish to apply the funds to student travel. • Visit the Fundraising Page on our school website for complete details! • Click: For ParentsFundraisingSCRIP for Trips

20. Celebrations • 4 classroom parties • Pre-approve all foods • Birthdays • We love birthdays and your child will be acknowledge on his/her special day! Summer birthdays will be acknowledged on your child’s “half birthday”. • Please respect OPA policy and do not send in treats or goodie bags. If you would like to, birthday book donations are always accepted!

21. Communication • Agenda: will note behavior or homework issues • Grades: Login to Jupiter Grades to check grades (login info and passwords will be handed out soon!) • Website: please check often for important updates and current information • Email: Brandi.Miller@oxfordchampions.com

22. Volunteers • Sign up for days, times, in class, or at home help • Specific ways to volunteer: • MI Recess parent • Game Room proctors • Picture parent • Science lab • Computer lab • P.E. • Majors • Art Masters • Pencil Sharpener • Volunteer Organizer All classroom volunteers will need to attend the annual parent volunteer meeting which will be scheduled soon!

23. Questions and Comments