ELA
What are "Fundations" and "Heggerty?"
They are our 2 phonics programs that help promote phonemic awareness, decoding, and encoding!
What is "Math In Focus?"
It is our new math program!
What is class dojo?
Positive reinforcement by giving students points for doing amazing things! Also it allows me to communicate with you and share pictures!
What is a "Take Home Reading Folder?"
A folder that will have 3 books in it! Your child will pick 3 books from my library and bring them home once a week to read at home.
Soccer was my sport!
What does a DRA, Sights Words, and this Wind Book have in common?
They are assessments that I do! The DRA tells me your child's reading level. A Sight Word Assessment helps with early level text. The Wind Book tells me how your child is doing in phonics.
Is Math whole group, small group or independent?
All they above! We do whole group to start always and then we move to small groups while students work independently. (Anything independent has already been taught/mastered)
What is "Bucket Filling?"
Do I have parent volunteers?
How many people/animals live in my house?
5! My wife, my 2 sons, my cat, and I!
What is an ELA Center?
ELA centers are when students work in groups or independently by either working on their Chromebook, playing games, or reading in the library. I also pull students at this time to work with them.
What is a math center?
Math centers are when students work in groups or independently by either working on their Chromebook, playing games, or doing an engineering project!
Why do I have a thumbs up, a medal, and action figures on my desk?
More positive reinforcement! My action figures watch students learn and the thumbs up and medals go to friends who are leading by example!
What is star of the week!?
Star of the Week is when your child goes to outer space for the weekend! Just kidding! It is a whole week to make your child feel special!
Where did I grow up?
Butler Pa (North of Pittsburgh)
Is our ELA block whole group, small group, or independent?
It is all they above! We do whole group to start always and then we move to small groups while students work independently. (Anything independent has already been taught/mastered)
Do you send home math assessments?
No... I do not send home any type of assessment. Instead I email you or call you to explain how your child is doing!
What is a brain break and where do I get one?
They are either games, videos, or free time where we just take a break from learning! I am a huge advocate for "unstructured" play throughout the day.
Do we get homework in first grade?
No! (Other than reading) I do send home optional stuff that you can do with your child,but again it is optional!
What made me go into the field of education?