Gateway Elementary School
Multi categorical Self-Contained 3-5
Mrs. Varghese
Syllabus
2025-2026
Daily Schedule:
7:45-8:10 Breakfast
8:00 -8:45 -Related Arts 3rd grade
8:15-8:45 Morning Meeting /Math Calendar| Social/Emotional Learning (SEL)
8:45-9:45 SAXON Math Small Group
9:45-10:15 SPIRE Reading Small groups
10:15 -10:30 IXL Reading /iReady/AMIRA
10:15 -11:00 Related Arts 5th grade
10:30-11:00 SAXON Math calendar (4th graders)
11:00 -11:15 -IXL/iready/ AMIRA
11:20-11:45 Lunch
12:00-12:20 Recess
12:30-1:00 Small Groups/Individual Remediation
1:00-1:50 Social Studies /Science
1:15 -2:00 3rd grade Related Arts
1:50-2:10 Social Emotional Skills
Dismissal
Instructional Materials and Resources
Multi categorical self-contained classrooms utilize a variety of approved instructional materials and programs. Intensive instruction is guided by students’ IEPs with the support of the programs listed below.
SPIRE
Learning Without Tears
Saxon Math
Zones of Regulation
Long Range Plan | Scope & Sequence
SPIRE is a total language approach designed to systematically guide students’ abilities in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Skills are spiraled throughout the curriculum, following the sequence: short a, short i, short o, short u, short e, sh, ch, th, wh, ang/ing/ong/ung, ank/ink/onk/unk.
Handwriting without Tears is a multi-sensory approach to teaching handwriting. THe curriculum begins with introducing capital letters in the following sequence: Frog Jump Capitals (F, E, D, P, B, R, N, M), Starting Corner Capitals (H, K, L, U, W, X, Y, Z), and Center Starting Capitals (C, O, Q, G, S, A, I, T, J).
Lowercase letters are then introduced in the following sequence: Same as Capitals and t (c, o, s, v, w, t) Magic c Letters (a, d, g, o, q), More Vowels (u, i, e), Transition Group (l, k, y, j), Diver Letters (p, r, n, m, h, b), and the Final Group (f, q, x, z).
Saxon Math is an integrated approach to math that targets concepts from every math strand that are woven together and connected throughout the year. Skills or concepts are reinforced throughout the years, helping students build a strong foundation of understanding. Instructional components of each lesson include a whole-group math meeting reinforcing foundational skills, fact practice/fluency, direct instruction of a new concept, guided class practice, and assessment/independent practice. Scope and sequence of the curriculum includes all strands of math content, and involves continuous spiraling and building upon each concept/standard.
Zones of Regulation is a complete social-emotional learning curriculum, created to teach children self-regulation and emotional control, as well as how to recognize emotions in others. The curriculum begins with introducing 4 zones of emotions (Green, Yellow, Blue, Red). Sequence continues with exploring tools and strategies to help in regulating our emotions, and then learning how to use and apply the tools.
Grading Guidelines & Missed Work Policy
Students are assessed throughout the school year and report cards are sent home each quarter. Progress reports are sent home every 9 weeks. Students in 3rd grade and up are given numerical grades.
Progress reports for your child’s IEP goals will also be sent home every 9 weeks; they will be assessed on whether they are making satisfactory progress (SP) towards mastery of the goal, or minimal progress (MP). Progress towards mastery of IEP goals is measured consistently. Their progress is recorded and then used in their IEP progress reports every 9 weeks and come home with each quarterly report card.
In the event your child misses work due to an absence he or she will be allowed 5 days to complete the missing assignments if the absence is an excused absence.
If a written excuse is not turned in, the absence is considered unexcused.
Classroom Management Plan & Expectations
Our goals are meant to build self-discipline, respect for others, and develop individual responsibility. Clear and consistent expectations provide a framework for responsible student behavior.
We use a class-wide point system to help us to remember to make expected choices. Students can earn “points” throughout the school day anytime they are seen showing our target behaviors. Target behaviors for earning points include:
1. Staying in My Space
2. Making Safe Choice with My Body
3. Following Directions
4. Making an Effort to Complete All of My Work
Beginning this week, a weekly behavior log will be in each student’s GREEN folder. Please view your child’s behavior log every night and initial acknowledging that you saw it. Please place the log back in the sheet protector in their green folder until the end of each week. A new log will be put in the folder every Monday.
Expectations & Procedures for Non-Instructional Routines
Morning Routine: Students hang backpacks in cubbies and turn in their daily folder.
Restroom: Students may use the restroom as needed.
Daily Folders: The student’s green folder is brought to and from school daily. The folder has two sides – Return to School and Keep at Home. The folder will contain daily communication, including the student’s weekly behavior chart.
Lunch: Lunch is 11:20-11:40. Parents are able to come and have lunch with their children. They should sign in and out in the front office. Parents are asked not to come to their child’s classroom after lunch.
Toys: Toys are not allowed at school. Please have your child keep them at home.
eLearning Procedures
For the purpose of inclement weather days, eLearning is defined as live instruction throughout the day. This live instruction may be with a whole group, small group, and/or individual sessions. Students are expected to log on to their live instruction through their Google Classroom during inclement weather days. If students are unable to join the live meets due to power loss, sickness, etc., work must be made up within five days of returning to school.
Parents will receive specific meeting information for their child before the first eLearning day.
Communication with Parents
Daily communication takes place through the Daily folder. It comes home everyday and will be sent back to school everyday. Parents are expected to review and initial the behavior log each night. Parents are also welcome to call or email when needs arise.
Email: gvarghese@greenville.k12.sc.us
Phone: (864) 355-5256
South Carolina State Standards
Weekly and quarterly lesson plans correspond to the required South Carolina Learning Standards. A complete listing of standards can be accessed through the Greenville County School District website or the South Carolina State Department website.