Welcome Parents!As you come in: • Sign up for a conference time (located on my desk).
•Find your child’s desk and read the paper they wrote you.• Fill out your side of the paper and then
look at what your child wrote
Agenda· Teacher Introduction· Classroom Expectations· Schedule· Nine Week Plans· Math Grouping· Homework· 40 Book Challenge· Retakes· Vacations· General Classroom Information· Contact Information· Questions
A Little Bit About Me…● This is my 3rd year at Pinebrook but I'm starting my 17th year of
teaching
● I have a Master's Degree in Reading because that is my passion
● I am originally from Herndon VA when it was a small town
● I now live in the Shenandoah Valley and love to trail ride my horse
● I have a daughter and a son and 4 grandchildren. One grandson and
● 3 granddaughters
● I love to travel ( I have been all around the world), and spend time at the beach.
● I now have 2 dachshunds and a horse
Classroom Expectations
· Students arrive promptly, unpack, and begin morning work.
· Students are to stay on task and not disrupt the learning process.
· Students are to be respectful, responsible, and ready.
• Students will copy their homework in their agenda at the end of the day and hand in completed homework in a timely manner• Incomplete
homework will be done during recess.
• Bingo Points (Whole Class)
• P.A.W.S Think Sheet--filled out in class and sent home for parent signature.
Class Schedule
Our class schedule can be found on Ms. Baxter’s Pinebrook class
page and in your packet
The First Nine WeeksMATH
· Geometry· Place Value· Rounding Numbers· Addition & Subtraction (inverse relationships)
SCIENCE· Scientific Investigation· Matter· Natural Cycles (Sun,
Earth, Moon)
The First Nine Weeks (cont’d.)
SOCIAL STUDIES
· Government· Famous Americans
ENGLISHLANGUAGE
ARTS· Effective
Communication Skills· Word Analysis Skills· Reading Strategies
(fiction/non-fiction)· Demonstrate
Comprehension of Fiction
· Descriptive Paragraphs (Personal Narratives)
Math Grouping· Differentiated—classes
switch· ALL students’ are taught
the same content, but activities/content are delivered according to individual needs.
· Meets needs of all students.
· Meeting increased demands of SOL test.
· Fall and Spring pre-assessments for re-placement
Homework· Students will receive
approximately 30 minutes of homework every night.· Word Study and Math
will be every night. · In addition students
are expected to read 15-20 minutes every night.
· Students are expected to use their agendas daily.
· Parental supervision of agenda use is strongly encouraged.
40 Book Challenge
-Students will be reading from a variety of genres
in order to explore books that you might not ordinarily
read and to develop an understanding of literary elements,
text features, and text structures.-Students will record the books they are reading at school or at home. -Any book that a student reads that has more than 350 pages counts as 2 books.-Students may only use 2 book from a particular series. Ex. They cannot count more than 2 A-Z Mystery books as 2 of their fiction books.
GradingTeachers will use the following grading scale for student work:
4– Consistently goes beyond established goals for achievement/contributions or explains & justifies reasoning behind an answer
· -Consistently transfers, applies, and expands skills· -Routinely applies problem-solving and critical-thinking skills across areas of the
curriculum · -Consistently shows originality, creativity, and intuitive thinking beyond standard
expectations
3– Meets established goal for achievement· -Demonstrates all required knowledge of content area· -Frequently transfers, applies and expands skills· -Periodically demonstrates originality, creativity, and intuitive thinking· 3 + : applies some of the “4” expectations
Grading2– Demonstrates partial knowledge of established goal for achievement, but is
progressing toward complete knowledge of standard· -Infrequently transfers, applies and expands skills· -Progressing toward expressing original, creative and intuitive thinking· -Rarely applies problem-solving and critical-thinking skills across areas of the
curriculum· 2+ : applies some of the “3” expectations
1-Has difficulty/does not meet established grade-level goals for achievement and expectations
· -Requires support to meet established goal for achievement · -Seldom or never understands, transfers, or applies skills· -Does not apply problem-solving and critical-thinking skills across areas of the
curriculum· -Rarely shows originality, creativity, or intuitive-thinking skills in completing
assignments· 1+ : applies some of the “2” expectations
How I Grade· Formative
Assessments:- Ongoing - Check for
understanding- Highest score is a 3
· Summative Assessments
- Quizzes and Tests- 2 level 4 questions
- Getting all questions right earns a score of 4
- Getting one of level 4 questions earns a 3+
Retakes on Summative Tests
· Students will be permitted to retake a summative assessment if they received a score lower than a “2”
· The highest score a student can earn on a retake is a 2+
VacationsIf you are planning on taking a vacation
that will be more than 3 days, you mustemail Mr. Thiessen to have them approved.
Early Dismissal be sure to contact the office Before 2:15 by filling out form on the web
page
Contact Information· Please feel free to
contact me via:· Phone 703-957-4325· Letters sent in with your child· Emails
· baxter3a.blogspot.com