ELA
Math
Classroom Management
Miscellaneous
Mr. Brennen
100

What is a DRA?

It is a reading assessment I do 3 times a year to see how much your child has grown in reading!

100

What is Envision?

Envision is our math program we use!  Students will learn many different strategies to solve problems with a hands on approach.  

100

What is class dojo?

Class dojo is the app I use to communicate to you all.  I also use it to give out positive reinforcement to students!  Whether they are being kind, working hard, or being ninjas they can earn a dojo point!  If they get 100 dojo points, they can pick out of my prize box!

100

What is Star of the Week?

Star of the week is when we highlight a student for a whole week!  Every student will get a chance to be the star and they get to do some very cool things when they are the star!  I will start this at the end of September! 

100

What is my favorite restaurant? (Hint:  It is a chain restaurant, but not as popular in New Jersey)

Texas Roadhouse!

200

What are sight words?

Sight Words are words that are most likely to appear in early level texts!  Some words can be tapped out and others need to be memorized!  (Because they break our phonic rules...)

200

What are centers?

Centers are when I send students into small groups to work independently on something that they learned about!  I do this both in ELA and Math.  This is also where I pull students into small groups to work with them on anything we are learning about!

200

What is bucket filling?

It is another way I use positive reinforcement to highlight students being kind, working hard, and for following our rules!  Once, their buckets are filled, they can to vote on a class Reward (like shaving my hair or having a water balloon fight!)

200
What do we do in science/social studies?

Good question.... I don't know.... Just kidding!  We have 2 programs that we use. Mystery Science and Scholastic news!  Both programs align to the New Jersey State Learning Standards and take a hands on approach when we are learning!  (Just wait till we do the animal research project!) 

200

True or False:  I have 2 kids and a cat?

True!  I have 2 sons named Rowen and Lincoln!  I also have a cat named Randal!

300
What is a take home reading folder?

It is a folder I send home with 3 books in it!  2 of the books are on your child's reading level and the other one is a choice book!  I will send them home after I finish the first reading assessment.

300

Do I send home tests or assessments after they are finished?  Yes or No?

No.  I do not send home any tests or assessments that we do.  Instead, I will email you or call you about their progress after we finish an assessment!

300

What are our 3 rules in the classroom?

1.  Be Safe

2.  Be respectful and responsible

3. Give your best effort!

300

How long is my child on their Chromebook?

30 to 45 minutes a day!  It all depends on what center they are working at!  We have tons of fun websites that the students use to help them learn what concepts/skills we are teaching! 

300

What sport did I play in college?

Soccer!  I was a defender at Centenary University!

400
What is Fundations?

It is our phonics program!  Students learn about individual sounds and how to blend sounds together to make a word!  This helps with their reading and their writing!

400

What is a brain break and where can I get one?

A brain break is when we take a pause in learning and either do a game or watch a fun video that gets us moving!  (Gonoodles, Just Dance, Danny Go, or the game Woosha)  We are going to play Woosha now!

400

Who is this guy?

This is Naruto!  I have action figures in my classroom that watch the students learn.  If a student is working hard, sitting like a peaceful ninja, or is being awesome, they can have an action figure watch them learn.  This is another positive reinforcement I use in the class.

400

Do I give homework?

NO!  Other than some sight word practice and reading some books, I do not give homework!  This is your time to spend with your kids and they need a break! 

400

What is my favorite TV show?

I hate to admit this...... It is Bluey!