Parent letter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am very excited to be your child's teacher this year. I hope your child's transition to Helen Morgan was a smooth one. As many of you know, the students will have "switch classes". This means that your child will be with me for Language Arts and Mrs. Hendrickson for Math and Science. A joint school supply list is available on both Mrs. Hendrickson's and my web page. 

Language Arts includes reading, writing, speaking, listening, and word study. All material and concepts taught are aligned with the NJ Core Curriculum Standards. Reading strategies and skills are taught using a Reader's Workshop model and are broken into three parts: independent reading, on-grade level whole group instruction, and above level shared reading. Reading materials will include both fiction and nonfiction. School-Wide and Scholastic Storyworks are two of the main resources used to deliver the instruction. Small group instruction and stations will be used to reinforce skills being taught in the classroom. Additionally, students should read a minimum of 20 minutes a night throughout the school week. 

Writing instruction is delivered through a writer's workshop-styled and small group format. Writing will include narratives, opinions, and expository pieces. Within each writing genre, specific grammar, punctuation, and mechanics will be addressed. Students will write their drafts in their Writer's Notebook and compose their final drafts using Google Docs. 

Should a question or concern about the curriculum or about your child arise throughout the school year, please feel free to contact me. The best way to reach me is via email. If the concern requires a phone call back, please leave your number and a couple of options for when I can best get back to you. 

All the best,

Mrs. Del Coro