User:Lbrown/Courses

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Courses Taught

Study Skills / Directed Studies
Study Skills / Directed Studies provides intensive instructional support in various academic subjects. Our instructional team members frequently check student grades and attempt to track student assignments.

English Language Arts
Students participate in 50 minutes of SAI English daily. Academic instruction focuses on vocabulary (e.g. affix word roots; definitions; part of speech), reading comprehension (e.g. literature analysis), composition of grammatically correct sentences, as well as active speaking and listening (e.g. presentations, one on one conversations and whole group discussions). Students complete Get to the Root of It vocabulary packets and informal quizzes, which are submitted bi-monthly. Students also complete a variety of writing assignments, through Google Classroom. Students participate in a variety of oral language practice activities, in which students take turns sharing ideas/beliefs with peers using sentence frames, actively listen to peers share relevant ideas/beliefs while taking notes and then reporting back what they learned from the structured conversations. Furthermore, students are learning how to use Notice and Note SignPosts reading comprehension strategies, which supports socio-emotional learning and ongoing deeper level understanding of passages and text.

Instructional Philosophy & Learning Objectives

Students can develop skills and interests which includes self control, curiosity, optimism, perseverance, and effort. Additionally students can develop 21^st century skills, which includes collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, communication and access to technology. 

Instructional Strategies

Equitable Discussions which may include Kagan strategies, talking chips and equity sticks. Additionally students will participate in active speaking and listening with productive partner pair shares

Expectations

Students are expected to arrive to class each day to address individualized goals in academics, socio - emotional, study skills. Also, students will receive guidance in how to effectively organize, plan and access the general education curriculum.  Additionally, students learn how to be resourceful in navigating unpredictable settings such as:

• Periodic seat change assignments
• Experimentation with financial responsibility
• Assigned classroom/campus jobs
• Preparation for emergency practice drills
• Independent problem solving.
• Be responsible, safe and resourceful. 
• Cooperate and collaborate because we are a community of learners. 
• Plan ahead and effectively communicate - Pre-schedule your appointment time at least 24 hours in advance
• Effectively organize their assignments/projects
• Plan assignment completion as well as time to study for tests/exams
• Check their grades daily</ul>
• Self advocate (e.g. asking teachers clarifying questions or for additional assistance outside of instructional time as needed)
• Strengthen individualized skills, which may be based on academics, executive functioning/study skills or socio-emotional.

Classroom Management and Suggested Materials

Classroom Management system may include implementation of a Classroom Economy and Class Dojo classroom management programs, which reward students for appropriate behavior; students loose points and/or money for violating behavior expectations. Classroom Economy program focuses on financial literacy. Students are paid a salary based on following behavior expectations as well as task completion. Also, students learn how to manage their income by:

• Balancing their checkbooks every time they are paid or charged a penalty fine
• Maybe a monthly fee to rent desks - students can earn the deed to their desk by paying it off
• Paying monthly utility bills (e.g. gas, electric and internet)

Organization' Each student will be assigned the following:

• Student Folder for storing scored assignments
• Fast Finisher folder for storing specialized assignments that target individual student IEP goals

Suggested Materials

• A single subject notebook
• 3 ring binder with divider tabs
• Pencils

Online Technology

Students learn how to collaborate, communicate and submit assignments/questions/requests/opinions using online tools such as Google Classroom, Padlet, Google Forms, email, instant messaging and video conferencing.

Class Dojo is a classroom communication platform for teachers, parents and students. It is primarily used to track behavior in the classroom and communicate the results to parents.

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to email the teacher whenever a student either struggles to self-advocate or to request that a student work on a particular assignment.  Students work independently to complete missing assignments (20 minutes) and current assignments (40 minutes

Student Performance & Evaluations

'Participation' and Citizenship

The participation grade is a letter grade according to a student's interactions with their peers, staff, and their environment

Students will receive a Citizenship grade every week. Students who earn an “N” or “U”, will not will participate in the reflective process, and will not be allowed to participate in the weekly Choice Time incentive program. O –Outstanding = 4 S –Satisfactory = 3 N - Needs Improvement = 2 U –Unsatisfactory = 1

Grading

• Parents/Guardians are encouraged to check student grades at home.
• Grading is based upon citizenship, effort, assignment completion and subject mastery.

Grading scale

A       90-100%

B      80-89%

C       70-79%

D       60-69%

F       below 59%

If a student is receiving a D or F in a class, parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified.  The teacher will additionally develop a collaborative plan for both teacher(s) and parent(s)/guardians to support the student's success.

Late Work/Absences

• If a student is absent for any reason, assignments, quizzes and tests must be made up within a pre-agreed upon time. 
• Students must make appointments for these makeups to ensure that materials will be available.  
• Participation in class is required. 
•  Independent Studies fo students with IEP's may require administrator approval and a IEP Amendment meeting to discuss service deliver.  

IEP Progress Reports

Progress reports will be sent home in mid-October, mid-January and at the end of April.  Trimesters end in November, March, and June.  If a parent or student has any questions about a student’s progress or grade, please feel free to contact me.  You can make an appointment, or e-mail about anything, and I will get back to you within 24 hours. I am typically available 30 minutes before school and after school.

• Coloring pencils/markers/crayons
• Access to computer with internet at home. 

(Please let us know if you need assistance with securing these learning materials).

Donations

Our classroom is ALWAYS in immediate need of the following:

• Boxes of Tissue
• Paper Towels
• Post It Notes - 3 x 5 size
• Bottled water - 4 ounces preferred
• Index cards - for study flash cards
• Snacks and drinks - for student 1 on 1 and small study groups that may occur during non-instructional time
• White Copy paper
• Pencils
• 3 Ring Binders
• Headphones
• Manilla 3 tab folders
• Yellow large envelopes
• Gift Cards for Dollar Tree, Teachers Pay Teachers and Amazon
• Any unwanted/excess items - to be added to our monthly Classroom Economy Silent Auction

No worries, if you are unable contribute