Mrs. Benzie

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Reading: We use the Houghton Mifflin basal reading series. This series includes comprehension strategies, decoding skills, grammar, speaking, and writing. We also read a novel each quarter to strengthen students’ comprehension and appreciation of literature. Students will be placed in RTI (Response to Instruction) groups to help us to meet their needs and promote their strengths as readers.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Reading</st1:City></st1:place> for pleasure should be a part of each child’s daily life. To encourage reading at home each night, I would like to see your child read at least 50 pages each week. Students will be asked to turn in a weekly Reading Log with parent signatures. They will also complete a book project each quarter. Please set aside a regular time each night (20 to 30 minutes) for quiet reading. Books should be about 100-200 pages in length. 


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Math: This is the second year of a new math adoption for Irvine Unified School District. We will be using Houghton Mifflin’s “Math Expressions” series. This program “balances deep understanding with essential skills and problem solving. Students invent, question, and discover, but also learn and practice important math strategies.” <o:p></o:p>
This series “is organized around five classroom structures that allow the students to develop a deep conceptual understanding, and then practice, apply, and discuss what they know with skill and confidence.” These structures include<o:p></o:p>
· Quick Practice (led by student learners)<o:p></o:p>
· Math Talk (students share strategies and solutions)<o:p></o:p>
· Building Concepts (objects, drawings, real-world situations)<o:p></o:p>
· Helping community (everyone is a teacher)<o:p></o:p>
· Student Leaders (students learn to lead discussion)<o:p></o:p>
It is extremely important that your child memorizes the multiplication tables, since almost all math relates to multiplication this year.


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Written Expression: Writing for various purposes will be an ongoing process. Students will keep a journal and a writing portfolio. They may have several pieces of writing in various stages of completion. They will be editing and adding to their writing with the goal of “publishing” their creations. The computer lab will be used to enhance this process. We will follow the Writing Process steps of planning, composing, revising, proofreading, and presenting. 


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Spelling: The goal of learning to spell is to communicate effectively in writing. Learning to spell is a complex, individual, developmental process. Knowledge of spelling develops through years of directed and purposeful word study in a comprehensive, balanced program connected to writing and reading. Your child’s weekly list will be drawn from high-frequency words lists, basal reading book words, and sentence dictation. In addition, we will study vocabulary drawn from our study of prefixes and suffixes. A weekly test will be given on Friday. After each list of sight words is introduced and tested, students will be held responsible for spelling them correctly in daily work.


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Social Studies: This year we use a text from Harcourt School Publishers called Reflections. Our study will include geography, history, government, economics, and culture. The main themes include “The Land and Early People,” “Early California,” “The Road to Statehood,” “Growth and Development,” “Progress as a State,” and “California Today and Tomorrow.” In addition, students will write two research reports: one on the Missions, and the other on the Gold Rush period. They will be taught the elements of writing a report, including gathering information, using resources, taking notes, summarizing, and organizing the final copy of the report. Most of the work will be done in class.<o:p></o:p>
Current events will be part of our program, as well. Any way that students can link learning into their own lives will make the concepts real for them. Encourage your child to share and relate what they are learning in the classroom to the outside world.


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Science: Students will use the new Macmillan/McGraw-Hill series in the classroom and instruction will teach them how to read and comprehend science text. Units will include "Living Things Need Energy”, “Living Things and Their Environment”, “Rocks and Minerals”, “Changes On Earth”, “Electricity”, and “Magnetism.” Students will also have a science lesson and lab with Miss DeFrank, our science specialist, twice a week for sixty minutes.


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Physical Education: Students will have movement education three times a week. Most lessons will begin with a warm-up, followed by skills instruction, and practice games. The focus will be on over-all physical fitness and sportsmanship. In addition, we will use the “The Great Body Shop” health materials which will be sent home at the end of each unit to encourage family discussions.



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Technology: Our students are extremely fortunate to have their own grade level computer lab. This year they will become familiar with the computer system, and practice basic keyboarding skills. We will use the “Type to Learn” program to develop speed and accuracy in word processing. Students will have the opportunity to explore and do research on the Internet and to create PowerPoint presentations. In addition, they will also practice writing and editing in curricular areas such as Language Arts and Social Studies. 


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P.R.I.D.E.: This is a new school wide program designed to promote the values of Partnership, Respectfulness, Integrity, Determination, and Empathy.<o:p></o:p>
We will be having classroom discussions and activities to examine these ideas. We will strive to learn behaviors and strategies to help make them a part of our daily lives.
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Incentives:
An important part of my classroom is to recognize appropriate school behavior. I feel that this promotes a positive self-image and motivates learning. Incentives can be a significant force in influencing the behavior of children. These are some of the ways children will be recognized:<o:p></o:p>
1. Student Recognition Assemblies<o:p></o:p>
2. Teacher awards<o:p></o:p>
3. Positive notes<o:p></o:p>
4. Positive phone calls<o:p></o:p>
5. Prize drawings<o:p></o:p>
6. Principal PRIDE recognition<o:p></o:p>
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Mrs. Benzie

Class Curriculum