School and Classroom Philosphy:
My hope is that we can all live and learn in a respectful community - showing respect for
ourselves, others, and our environment. I believe it’s important for children to grow
academically and socially. I also believe that how they learn is as important as what they
learn. Children will have many opportunities in their work and play to develop their skills.
I look forward to knowing both children and parents.
Expectations:
I have high expectations for all children with regard to behavior and academics. These are
communicated on a daily basis in written, verbal, and nonverbal forms.
Behavior:
Children are encouraged to make positive choices about their behaviors. Praise is given to
support those choices. We also use logical consequences to help children take responsibility
for their actions. We’ll discuss and practice how expected behavior varies in different
places – home/school, classroom/playground, etc. by using the “Looks Like-Sounds Like”
strategy. We will learn and practice many social thinking and self-regulation skills to help us
all have a happy, healthy year together.
Academics:
Simply . . . try to do your very best!
Children should always give their best effort to listen, follow directions, participate, and ask
for help when unsure. All written work should be neat and checked for accuracy.
One question I often ask is . . .
Does that make sense?
Specialists:
Monday Media
Wednesday Media Research
Thursday Music & Art
Friday Phys. Ed. (Socks and sneakers required)
Lunch/Recess:
Our lunch is scheduled for 11:30-11:50. Children will have a 15-minute recess following
lunch from 11:50-12:05. Another 10 minute recess is scheduled for the afternoon. Recesses
will be outside as weather permits.
Snacks:
We will be having a scheduled snack time in the morning.
Due to food allergies, no foods with any nuts are allowed in the classroom and children may
not share their snacks.
Morning Meeting:
This is a very positive and popular way to start our day. We sit in a circle to greet each other,
share news, read our Morning Message, and participate in a song, game, or activity. It’s also
a time to review the calendar, talk about the day’s events, and share the adventures of our
class mascot, Smiley. ☺
Language Arts - (Reading, writing, speaking, listening):
Your child will be participating in whole class, small group, and independent reading
experiences for reading and writing. Through the Daily 5 and CAFÉ
(http://www.thedailycafe.com/), children will have the
opportunity to improve their skills in Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency and Expanding
vocabulary. During our instructional writing time, children will practice various styles:
narratives, informative writing, and opinion pieces. Children will also have time and the
choice to explore other forms of writing, like poetry or skits.
Math:
Our program, "Math in Focus", provides an authentic Singapore math curriculum—
with problem solving as the focus of mathematical learning. This program
teaches concepts using a concrete–pictorial–abstract learning progression to anchor
learning in real-world, hands-on experiences, supported by Interactive Whiteboard
activities, as well as in-class and online manipulatives.
Science/Social Studies:
Hands-on and computer activities, as well as literature, provide varied experiences on the
following topics:
* Frogs and Toads
* Nocturnal Animals
* Weather
* Properties of Matter
* Geography, Community Economics, Citizens & Leaders, and Timelines
Super Reader - Starting in January:
Super Reader is a child-centered activity that helps promote reading, listening, and
comprehension skills. Each day in a 15 minute time period, 4-5 children read aloud to a
small group of their peers. Super Readers will have practiced
reading their selections at home and have prepared 3-5 questions to ask their groups.
Listeners practice their auditory comprehension skills in a fun and interactive way. The
students’ roles alternate throughout the week and everyone has the opportunity to
participate in this literacy-developing activity.
Homework:
Homework assignments are designed to keep in line with the homework policy adopted by
the Shrewsbury Public Schools - 20 minutes a night, Monday –Thursday. The emphasis is on
math facts & skills, reading at an independent level, and spelling.
A packet will go home on Mondays, detailing the homework expectations for
each night of the week. Included is a space for an adult at home to sign off
that all the work has been done to the best of the child's ability. The packet
should be returned on Friday. A "Comments and/or Questions" section is also included for
you to share your concerns. Please let me know if your child is having any difficulty. Success
stories are welcome, too!
Quick Quiz:
On most Fridays, there will be a “quick quiz” of the math facts and/or spelling words your
child is practicing for the week. More information to come on this topic.
Birthdays:
Snacks are no longer allowed to share but we like to celebrate with the birthday song.
Student of the Week:
Each child will have a turn to be Student of the Week. The Friday before your child’s turn, a
small packet will go home that asks your child to write about some of the important things
about him/herself. Your child should cut out the shapes before returning to school. He/she
may bring in some favorite photos. Other benefits include being Line Leader for the week,
illustrating the class newsletter, and having a special sharing time on Friday when he/she
may bring in a special object to show to the class. (No pets, please.)
Making Mistakes:
A positive way to look at mistakes is to know 1 - we all make them and 2 - that we can learn from them. We also remember more when we correct our own mistakes. Some of your child’s written mistakes will be self-corrected in school. For others, it's expected your child will correct them at home.
Practice:
I often tell the children, “practice makes permanent”. Practice at home is helpful but try not
to overdo it. Building a confident, good-natured child is most important. Many things are
developmental and come in time.
Attendance:
*Absences MUST be called directly into the office (508-841-8720) prior to the start of the
school day. You are welcome to communicate attendance/dismissal information to me as
well but please be sure to inform the office first.
*Early Dismissal or Parent Pick-Up notes should be sent directly to me and must state the
dismissal time AND name of the person who is picking up your child.
Volunteers:
Your time and effort are greatly appreciated and contribute to the learning that takes place
in our classroom. Volunteer sign-ups will be posted through the online site, Sign Up Genius
– more info to come. If you are unable to assist us during the school day but would like to
help out in some way, please let me know.
Communication:
There are many ways for you to know what’s going in our class. . .
Weekly News -
The children contribute all the information in our weekly newsletter, sent home on Friday.
Monthly News -
Each month, I upload a newsletter to our website that includes general information and an
overview of the curriculum your child is learning.
Class Web Site -
Feel free to contact me questions and concerns by . . .
> e-mail - ecaforio@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
> phonemail – 508-841-8300 x4904
> sending a note.
Thank you in advance for your support.
I look forward to working with you this year!
Respectfully,
Betsy Caforio : )