Meet the Teacher Night

1. While you are waiting for us to being, please fill out the forms on your child’s desk. Please use the index card at your child’s desk to write them a note and leave it in their desk for tomorrow morning! Meet the Teacher Night

2. All About Mrs. Vernon • This is my 8th year teaching. I taught fifth grade for one year, and second grade for the past six years. • I have my bachelor's degree from Kutztown University and my masters degree in classroom technology from Wilkes University. • I have 2 boys, Evan (3) and Owen (5 months) • My favorite thing to do is spend time with my boys. I also love to read and watch football with my family. • Please refer to my website often for updates and upcoming events. Mrs. Vernon’s Website

3. East Penn School District Mission Statement The East Penn School District will provide a learning environment in which students become problem solvers, collaborators and critical thinkers.

4. Willow Lane Motto • Be Kind: Use kind words and actions. • Be Careful: Walk and wait quietly during school time. • Be your best self: Be prepared and ready to learn. • Always show respect: Demonstrate an attitude of respect toward self, others, and environment.

5. Morning Routine • Read the interactive white board and follow the morning message • Be prepared and ready to learn • Sharpen pencils • Love notes (correspondence from home) • Responsibility and organization

6. Incentives • Incredible Hawk Tickets - given by an adult in the building for incredible behavior. Students can win a lunch with Mrs. Barr. • Warm Fuzzies (individual and class) • Warm Fuzzy Tickets - If a child keeps all 5 of their fuzzies they earn a ticket for that day. They can also earn tickets for warm fuzzy behavior.

7. IN the Land of warm fuzzies….. FRIENDLY, KIND, RESPECTFUL • Each student has 5 fuzzies in a cup to start each day! These represent the warm good feelings they will give and keep throughout the day. They have 1 giant special fuzzy on their desk as a reminder of the importance of showing warm fuzzy behavior by following the rules each day. • When students portray the character traits of a warm fuzzy student, they may also receive a warm fuzzy ticket or an Incredible Hawk ticket. A special reward is given to students that are chosen on a weekly basis

8. IN THE LAND OF COLD PRICKLIES... CONSEQUENCES! • When a rule is broken, a verbal warning takes place. • The second time, the student will lose 1 fuzzy in return for a cold prickly fuzzy. He/she needs to reflect on the incident and will write on a oops slip (which will then appear stapled to their assignment book page for a parent signature). • The third time, another fuzzy is lost and so is a portion of their recess. A phone call home will take place and students will need to fill out a school wide reflection form called a “Think Sheet”

9. Think Sheet

10. IN THE LAND OF COLD PRICKLIES... CONSEQUENCES! • If the 3rd fuzzy is lost, ALL of recess is taken away. A phone call home will take place. • If the 4th fuzzy is lost, 2 days of no recess. A phone call will take place, a possible talk with Dr. Moyer or Mrs. Barr will occur. • If the 5th and final fuzzy is lost, there will be an infraction form filled out which goes directly to Dr. Moyer as a detention notice. He will contact the parent or guardian. • When signing the assignment book nightly, please look at the number of warm fuzzies kept throughout the day. Praise should be given to students that come home with a group of 5 tally marks each day!

11. Room 207’s Rules • Keep your hands and feet to yourself. • One person talks at a time while everyone is listening. • No bullying! • Quiet, straight line in the hallways while walking. • Respect others! • Always try your best! • Raise your hand and wait to be called on. • No talking when the teacher is talking. • Use your indoor voices. • Treat others the way you want to be treated. • Sit criss-cross applesauce while on the carpet. • HAVE FUN!!!

12. Homework • A moderate amount of homework is given. • Due four days a week. • Usually math and language arts. • An “unwritten” assignment is to have your child read 5-10 minutes on a daily basis. • Homework is not graded and only spot checked and reviewed. Please contact me if your child seems to be struggling with specific homework assignments or it is consistently taking more than 15 minutes per assignment. • Language arts homework given in their practice book will REMAIN in their practice books.

13. Assignment Book • Assignment books are filled out daily. • Please check your child’s assignment book nightly. (don’t forget to check for the warm fuzzy tallies) • Homework and test dates will be written in your child’s assignment book. • Students will rip out two pages (front/back) each Monday and keep it in their binder.

14. Communication • Love notes (parent notes) • News posted on website - refer to calendar for upcoming events in our classroom as well as posted test dates. • Voicemail • Email • eNewsletter - Please sign up if you have not done so already. :) This will be my primary source of communication with the families of Room 207.

15. Calendar

16. Helpful Websites East Penn School District Willow Lane Elementary School You can also refer to any of the other third grade teacher’s websites.

17. Absences • Homework Buddies - Please use the provided contact sheet to let me know who your child’s homework buddy will be for this school year. • Excuse Blanks - On each child’s desk is a stack of excuse blanks. Please take them with you tonight and use them accordingly.

18. Snacks • Afternoon: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday • NO SNACK WEDNESDAY! • Nut-Free • Water Bottles • Allowed • Bring home each night

19. Differentiated Instruction •No two children are alike •An enriched environment for one student is not necessarily enriched for another •In the classroom we should teach children to think for themselves •DI is a guiding principle that suggests ways curriculum and instruction can be adapted or modified to reach different learners

20. Common Core Mission statement • The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy. http://www.corestandards.org/

21. Common Core • This is the first year East Penn will be implementing the common core standards. • The StoryTown reading series will continue to be used, however, more as a resources than a guide. • Tests will be from teacher made materials as well as portions of the “weekly” tests. • As this is our first year, it will be a continuous learning progress for all. :)

22. Reading & Language Arts •Robust Vocabulary •Spelling Words •Practice Book •Writing Journal •Spiral Notebook –Daily 5: –Read to Self –Read to Someone –Listen to Reading –Word Work –Writing •Cursive Handwriting

23. Spelling/Vocabulary Homework • Students will be given regular spelling/vocabulary homework. • Due dates will be written on the top of the homework assignment. • Please have them turn EVERYTHING in on the due date so that it all stays together. :) • You can find the robust vocabulary definitions on my website under the page Room 207 Weekly.

24. Room 207 Weekly Page • Please refer to this page for “weekly” robust words, spelling words, and skills being worked on in the classroom. • I will keep due dates on that site as well.

25. Math

26. Rotations Social Studies • Pennsylvania and US History • Lehigh County • Geography and World History •Civics and Government •Economics Science •Exploring Energy and Forces •The Earth’s Land (minerals, rocks, soil, resources, forces) •Cycles on Earth and in Space (water cycle and weather) •Animals (ecosystems, food chains, life cycles)

27. Parental Clearances • All parents wishing to volunteer, in the classroom, are required to sign an affidavit, which must be notarized. • All parents wishing to volunteer on a regular basis, or chaperone for a field trip, must have state clearance for: –Child Abuse History –Criminal Record Check

28. Class Captain This year our classroom captains will be…. Barbara Kirkopoulos and Kim Solari

29. Final few things. • Family Bingo Night is November 1st. Each class is responsible for a basket prize. • If you have not signed up for the classroom newsletter, please do that. You can always send me the information and I can sign you up. • Parent/teacher conference Sign up Genius link will be posted on the Willow Lane website tomorrow morning.

30. Thank you! —I am very pleased to be your child’s teacher and I am looking forward to an exciting year together! Thank you for your assistance in making third grade a wonderful experience for your child! If you are willing and able, please take a donation apple from the giving tree on the door on your way out. Thank you in advance for your donation.