Welcome Welcome Back to School!Back to School!

Cory MathenyCory Matheny

3rd Grade Teacher3rd Grade Teacher

Contact InformationContact Information

Cory MathenyCory Matheny Classroom - 841-9257. My cell Classroom - 841-9257. My cell

phone is for play dates only. phone is for play dates only. cory.matheny@austinisd.org www.mathenysclass.wikispaces.com New this year, New this year, Remind 101 Remind 101 app. Our class code is app. Our class code is

@2f63f You can subscribe or ask me to add your @2f63f You can subscribe or ask me to add your email or phone number for texts. email or phone number for texts.

Student ExpectationsStudent Expectations

Clayton Cardinals are Clayton Cardinals are – Respectful, Responsible, Motivated, Kind, HonestRespectful, Responsible, Motivated, Kind, Honest– Responsibility also means if we forget something, it is there waiting Responsibility also means if we forget something, it is there waiting

for us next time. (Lunch boxes, water bottles, agendas)for us next time. (Lunch boxes, water bottles, agendas) HomeworkHomework

– Goes home on Monday, due on FridayGoes home on Monday, due on Friday

– Reading weekly; spelling and math every other week, Reading weekly; spelling and math every other week, kids may also do kids may also do www.adaptedmind.com or or www.tenmarks.com

– Class workClass work– We focus on the process of learning not the product created. Many We focus on the process of learning not the product created. Many

items we learn involve in-depth discussion, group collaboration, items we learn involve in-depth discussion, group collaboration, and writing about what we did and how we did it. and writing about what we did and how we did it.

Parent ExpectationsParent Expectations

Homework procedures- parents should oversee and provide Homework procedures- parents should oversee and provide guidance, but work should be done by the students. guidance, but work should be done by the students.

Conferences- Let me know if you want to meetConferences- Let me know if you want to meet Attendance- Please be on time. We leave the gym promptly at Attendance- Please be on time. We leave the gym promptly at

7:35. All absences need a note in writing or email to Joanna 7:35. All absences need a note in writing or email to Joanna Willard in the officeWillard in the office

Request Volunteers – PTA will be sending out a survey Request Volunteers – PTA will be sending out a survey monkey. I will reach out for jobs via an email after I get the monkey. I will reach out for jobs via an email after I get the results of the survey monkey. Thank you for your willingness to results of the survey monkey. Thank you for your willingness to help! help!

Chub Chubs – please indicate on the form if you are interested Chub Chubs – please indicate on the form if you are interested in bringing our guinea pig home for a weekend. Please indicate in bringing our guinea pig home for a weekend. Please indicate if your child should not touch him due to allergies. if your child should not touch him due to allergies.

Teacher ExpectationsTeacher Expectations

I will keep them safe and love them!I will keep them safe and love them! Individualized instruction- I will meet the various Individualized instruction- I will meet the various

needs of the students by modifying questions, needs of the students by modifying questions, lessons, group activities to account for the variety lessons, group activities to account for the variety of learners in the class. I will provide choices as of learners in the class. I will provide choices as much as possible so the students have ownership much as possible so the students have ownership of their work. of their work.

Progress reports- I will keep you updated with Progress reports- I will keep you updated with learning successes and/or areas of concern.learning successes and/or areas of concern.

GradingGrading

A+ 98-100

A 94-97

A- 90-93

B+ 88-89B 84-87

B- 80-83

C+ 78-79

C 74-77

C- 70-73

F Below 70

CorrectionsIf work does not meet the set criteria, the skill will be re-taught to ensure student understanding. A student may redo and turn in work for a higher grade. Work that is done the second or third time will be done in colored pencil to assist parents and teachers in identifying redone assignments.

Late WorkFor class work and projects: Each day that a student’s work is late, points will be subtracted from the earned grade. If the student consistently does not have his/her work, the teacher will contact the parents or guardian. Make-Up Work When AbsentFor every day the student has an excused absence, he/she will have one make up day per day missed. For example, if a student was absent for three days, he/she would have three days to complete and return the missed work.  

Discipline ProceduresDiscipline Procedures I have a very positive approach. There are many opportunities for I have a very positive approach. There are many opportunities for

positive reinforcement:positive reinforcement: - Credits and Debits- Credits and Debits

– Students assign valuesStudents assign values– Students are responsible for calculating weekly totals, getting it signed and handed Students are responsible for calculating weekly totals, getting it signed and handed

in for credit. Deposits will be made to the bank on Mondays.in for credit. Deposits will be made to the bank on Mondays.– We will have a monthly store for students to spend their earnings on privileges and We will have a monthly store for students to spend their earnings on privileges and

items. items.

Consequences for misbehaviorConsequences for misbehavior– Reminders – a brief discussion about what needs to be changed.Reminders – a brief discussion about what needs to be changed.– A 2A 2ndnd reminder with a debit reminder with a debit– Continued discussions will require parental involvement.Continued discussions will require parental involvement.

– Students can also get above and beyond awards or get ‘spied’ by Students can also get above and beyond awards or get ‘spied’ by their peers. their peers.

Our Schedule (flexible)Our Schedule (flexible) Art, Music, and PE will be noted on the calendar. Library is every Thursday, computer lab is every

Wednesday.

7:45 – daily language / daily math activity 8:00-9:00 Math Block -

Core Instruction/Guided Math/ Stations 9:00 - 10:45 Literacy Block - skill discuss, independent reading, guided

reading, reading stations (10:00-10:45 Wednesday - Computer lab)

10:45 -11:30 Specials - A= Music with Mr. Nunnelee, B= Art with Mrs. Hallmark, C= P.E. with Mrs. Gordon

11:36-12:06 Lunch12:06 -12:36 Recess12:36-12:50 Read aloud / Author study

12:50 - 1:15 Problem Solving Math 1:15-1:45 Writing (Thursday 1:00-1:45 Library on intermediate weeks)

1:45 - 2:30 Social Studies (Me) / Science (Ms. Crenshaw) – We will complete a 3 week unit, then switch. 2:30 - 2:45 Class Meeting and pack up

2:45 Dismiss at 2nd bell

What is Problem Solving MathWhat is Problem Solving Math Here is a snippet that sums up the philosophy behind the "instruction" behind Here is a snippet that sums up the philosophy behind the "instruction" behind

problem-solving: problem-solving:

"Children are not shown how to solve the"Children are not shown how to solve the problems. Instead each child solves them in any way that they can, often problems. Instead each child solves them in any way that they can, often in more thanin more than one way, and reports how the problem was solved to peers one way, and reports how the problem was solved to peers and teacher. and teacher.

The teacher andThe teacher and peers listen and question until they understand the peers listen and question until they understand the problem solutions, and then the entireproblem solutions, and then the entire process is repeated. Using information from each child’s reporting of process is repeated. Using information from each child’s reporting of problem solutions,problem solutions, teachers make decisions about what each child knows and how teachers make decisions about what each child knows and how instruction should beinstruction should be structured to enable that child to learn."structured to enable that child to learn."

Sample- Sample-

Student work sample will be added Student work sample will be added

Enrichment Fee- pendingEnrichment Fee- pendingClass T-Shirt $7.50

Nutcracker Performance $4.00

Wild Basin $3.00

French Legation Museum $3.50

Capitol Visitor’s Center & Capitol Tour Free

Bus Fee (for all trips) $4.00

Blank Books $4.00

Grand Total $26.00

Does your child grow quickly?Does your child misplace things? Does your child live in two houses?If so, consider adding a 2nd T-shirt to your order.

SuppliesSupplies

Each day children should have a backpack, agenda, and a Each day children should have a backpack, agenda, and a snack. Water bottles are highly encouraged.snack. Water bottles are highly encouraged.

All toys / accessories should remain at home or in the All toys / accessories should remain at home or in the child’s backpack. If a toy is out, a child will get one request child’s backpack. If a toy is out, a child will get one request to put it in their backpack. If it is out a 2to put it in their backpack. If it is out a 2ndnd time, I will hold it time, I will hold it until a parent comes to school to pick it up. This is also until a parent comes to school to pick it up. This is also true for items being used inappropriately – scissors, true for items being used inappropriately – scissors, sharpeners, hair bows, watches, silly bands, etc. sharpeners, hair bows, watches, silly bands, etc.

Supplies often get lost or broken. I will try to replenish any Supplies often get lost or broken. I will try to replenish any supplies I have on hand, but if a supply needs to be supplies I have on hand, but if a supply needs to be replaced, I will send home a note. replaced, I will send home a note.

Miscelaneous ItemsMiscelaneous Items

Lunchroom procedures - Visiting parents should sit with their child at Lunchroom procedures - Visiting parents should sit with their child at the designated parent tables. No ‘buddies’ allowed, it is your special the designated parent tables. No ‘buddies’ allowed, it is your special time with your child. time with your child.

If a parents is late bringing a lunch, the child will go through the line. (It If a parents is late bringing a lunch, the child will go through the line. (It is better to surprise them than disappoint them.)is better to surprise them than disappoint them.)

Absences/ Tardies – 7:45 – if the pledges from the announcements Absences/ Tardies – 7:45 – if the pledges from the announcements are over– they are tardy. After 8:00 you must check in with the office are over– they are tardy. After 8:00 you must check in with the office before coming to the room. Same with children being picked up early before coming to the room. Same with children being picked up early – you must sign them out first. – you must sign them out first.

School Nurse – get her all important Information pleaseSchool Nurse – get her all important Information please Going home changes must have adult created communication- note, Going home changes must have adult created communication- note,

email, phone call – (‘got it’ response or I didn’t get it)email, phone call – (‘got it’ response or I didn’t get it)

Additional Misc. ItemsAdditional Misc. Items

AR – 3rd grade points: Each 75 pts gets you to AR – 3rd grade points: Each 75 pts gets you to the next ‘100 pt club.’the next ‘100 pt club.’

Bluebonnet books – kids who read and take 5 Bluebonnet books – kids who read and take 5 bluebonnet tests can vote, kids who read and take bluebonnet tests can vote, kids who read and take tests on 12 or more attend the luncheon. tests on 12 or more attend the luncheon.

Friday Friendship Fruit salad – last Friday of the Friday Friendship Fruit salad – last Friday of the monthmonth

Field trips: Wear class t-shirtField trips: Wear class t-shirt

Let’s work together to have a Let’s work together to have a great school year!great school year!