1. Phoenix Room Parent Survival Guide

2. Welcome!!!
I am so happy to be your student’s teacher!!!!!!!! I look forward to getting to know both you and your student in the following year (2 years/3 years).
If your student is new to my classroom, you may be wondering what my classroom style is, what the procedures are, etc. This can get confusing, especially for the parents of fourth graders as they were use to the previous teacher’s policies.
Good news….I’m here to help you! I firmly believe that we are a team, and we need to work together. Whenever you need anything, I am available by , phone call, or Remind App (more about that later).
And despite the scary title of this powerpoint….this year is going to be great, and you and your student will be fine!

3. A little about me I LOVE teaching!
I have a Secondary and Elementary Education Certification from Wayne State University.
I am married and have a dog named Bear.
I love to run, and am the Cross Country coach, and the Run Club coach.
I love to travel! I have been to many places in the United States, and to Mexico, Poland, Denmark, and Scotland!
My favorite subject is History….specifically American History 

4. About my methods…
This classroom is a Montessori classroom, and thus requires the students to do a lot of hands on learning, and independent work. Many of the assignments are shelf work and cannot be taken home.
This means that students need to be independent and responsible. Obviously I have the goal to make sure your students are on track academically, but I also have the goal to help your students be well rounded, independent people. They will need to prioritize their work and time to make sure they are successful. This will be hard at first, but the students will get the hang of it in no time!
This is where the parent/teacher team comes in. I send home planners twice a week, and work plans on Friday with the highlighted missing work. Please check these each week, so we are all on the same page, and so the students can be responsible and get their work done.

5. Classwork/homework/tests
Classwork: A work plan is given every Monday that lists the classwork (to be done in class) for the week. All work on the work plan is due Friday before lunch, unless listed. If it is not done, it is highlighted and sent home on Friday for homework. It can be turned in first thing Monday morning for full credit, or Tuesday for half credit.
Homework: Homework is given occasionally (and if students don’t finish their classwork). This is usually done as book reports, or Lit Circle assignments. Lit circle assignments are due on Wednesday and Friday.
Tests: Math and Spelling quizzes are given every Friday. The math quiz will be what was covered in the math follow up for the week. Spelling words are given on Monday. All other tests will be announced at least three days in advance, however, usually a weeks notice is given. If students are absent before the test, but they are there for the test, they must take the test. If there are excessive absent days the week of the test, arrangements can be made.

6. Projects
Projects are given throughout the year. These may include book reports, research papers, and science projects.
Projects are usually given with a two week-month notice. Projects are mostly done fully at home.
I will send home instructions for all projects. I will post on the Remind App when I send these home.

7. Communication
You may always reach me at my call during school hours (7:30-3:30) at ext 203, or contact me via the Remind app.
I do most of my announcements via the Remind App/website. I highly encourage that you sign up for this. The classroom link is I do not do newsletters, and this is how I send out all my announcements. You can download it on your phone or use the website on your computer.
In addition, I keep a website that I try to keep updated with what we are doing in class. This website will have important dates, curriculum, and even links to the assignments we are doing. The website is:
Every Friday students will also take home a Friday Folder.

8. Being Here….
We do a lot of announcements for the students in the morning. In addition, many of out standardized tests are in the morning as well.
Please try to have your student here before 7:50. If they are here after that they will be marked late.
And..if you are late now and then..don’t stress! Just send me a message via Remind or if you can. I know that things pop up that we can’t control and I understand.

9. Concerns
If you ever have any concerns…..PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE talk to me! You are not bothering me, or bugging me. Many times parents tell me after their concerns get worse, and they tell me they didn’t contact me before because they did not want to bother me. We are a team, and I encourage open communication.
If you need to speak to me in person (for more than 5 minutes), I would be happy to arrange a meeting with you! Sometimes the time around drop off/pick up is not enough time and I want to make sure that concerns are taken care of! This may mean a before or after school meeting, as I am tied up teaching during the day. If I can fit you in during the day, I will 

10. Questions…
If there is something I did not cover during in the Powerpoint….please ask! I want everyone to feel welcome and at ease in my classroom…and that goes for students and parents.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A FANTASTIC YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!