CONTACT INFORMATION

 I would like for you to contact me (really…I’m not just saying that) if you have questions or concerns. To that end, my contact information is as follows:

School:  765-471-9321 ext. 6524  You can leave messages after hours if it is not urgent that I return your call that night. 

Cell:  765-430-8968  You may text with quick questions, but be sure to identify yourself, as I might not recognize the number, or call me if you have a pressing issue in the evening. This number is NOT for student use!

Email: mdmengler@tsc.k12.in.us  

Remind App: You will receive an invite to join my classroom on this messaging app. I will use it frequently for class information, so please be sure to join.

*Please be aware that I am not always able to immediately check texts and emails during the school day, so if it is urgent that a message be relayed, please call the office and speak to the secretary.

MULTIAGE HIGH ABILITY PHILOSOPHY

        Our 4/5 multiage high ability class is a high achieving, stimulating, unit-based program. Multiage is not the same as a split class.  In a split class, the teacher teaches each grade separately in the same room.  He/she moves back and forth between the two grade levels.  Conversely, in a multiage program, the teacher designs a structure in which both grade levels are studying nearly the same content, but at varying levels. With multiage, I can’t be extremely text book driven. Don’t worry, the basics will not be ignored, but the high achieving nature of the class allows for more depth within content areas. 

  In subject areas such as Science and Social Studies, we use a rotating schedule of  content so that students will have mastered all of the 4th and 5th grad standards over the 2 year period that they are with me.

Your child was identified as “high ability” based on standardized test scores and teacher input. This does not mean that he/she will automatically be successful in the class. Each individual student needs to put in the effort required to meet the rigorous expectations. Neatness, organization, completeness, and creativity are skills that he or she should be working to improve at all times. Assignments need to be completed and turned in on time. If your child struggles with these, qualities, he/she will struggle in the accelerated classes in middle and high school.

ASSIGNMENT BOOKS

 You should check and sign your child's assignment book every night.  This signature indicates that you have looked at the assignment book and that you are verifying that your child has completed his/her homework. Please know that students are not penalized for not having a signature, but if work is missing or late, I may require it on an individual basis. The assignment book is also a good place to jot me a note or a reminder.  Even though your child is getting older, he/she still needs your encouragement, interest, and involvement in his/her schoolwork, and the assignment book simply helps you to help them be accountable. The assignment page that I post every day for students to copy can be found on my website through the WRE page.

BRAIN SCIENCE

I have spent a lot of time over the last few years learning about brain science, especially as it relates to educational development and learning. I studied the principles of a social and emotional research-based approach to helping students be successful called Conscious Discipline. I will be utilizing this approach and teaching elements of it to the students. It is based on the following four components:

• Conscious Discipline Brain State Model- understanding how internal emotional states dictate our behavior

• Seven Powers for Conscious Adults- shifting perception to see discipline encounters as opportunities to teach new skills

• Creating the School Family- building connections by creating a culture of compassion

• Seven Skills of Discipline- problem-solving with social emotional learning

You can read more about this method of helping kids learn at their website: consciousdiscipline.com. You will probably hear your child talk about different aspects. Please let me know if you have questions. This is an initiative that is underway throughout most of WRE and TSC.

SPECIALS and LUNCH TIMES

Special classes are daily from 10:40-11:10

Monday:  PE

           Tuesday:  Art 

Wednesday: Library

Thursday: Music

Friday: Technology

LUNCH HOUR for our class is from 12:45 - 1:35.  (including a 25 minute recess). Our specials and lunch times are the best times to schedule appointments for your child so that he/she doesn’t miss much instruction. Students are always responsible to complete any work that was missed.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Most of my classroom management techniques will revolve around the principles of Conscious Discipline which advocate teaching desired behaviors instead of punishing, and logical consequences for negative behavior choices. For example, if a child writes on the wall in the hallway, he or she would be expected to clean it up.

 I also believe in addressing group problems in a class discussion. It is often enlightening to hear the kids’ perspective on a situation and presents a “teachable moment” for all.

While I do not like to take away privileges or recess, it has been my experience that some kids only respond to those types of consequences and I will continue to use them as needed. 

 I also like to reward students for making good choices and doing the right thing. These rewards will range from extra recess, food “parties”, free time, candy, and small prizes and trinkets. 

MINI-ECONOMY: This year I am implementing a classroom mini-economy. All students have classroom jobs and will be “paid” in Mengler Money for completing them. They may also receive Mengler Money for excellent classroom choices, special events, and homework completion. This “money” may also be charged as penalties for poor choices. At the end of each week, students will be able to spend their Mengler Money on special privileges, treats, or items from the classroom store. 

I would LOVE to receive wrapped treats or gently used toys or other high-interest items as donations to the classroom store, or thru my Amazon wish list:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1Y47AZQB444X7?ref_=wl_share                                                                         

 MISCELLANEOUS:

*Birthdays:  Treats are welcome… however, all treats must be commercially prepared and individually wrapped.  That means, we can’t have cupcakes, donuts, or cookies unless they were wrapped at the factory. Half birthdays may be celebrated for summer birthdays by notifying me in advance. Since we do not have time for a true “party” please plan to drop treats off in the office or send them with your child. Juice or drinks are not necessary. We will have birthday treats at the end of the day.

*Snacks and water bottles: Students should bring a water bottle to school, but it may only have unflavored, clear water in it! We don’t want to stain the carpet with spills (which there will be). To minimize the spread of germs, please be sure your child has a clean water bottle every day.  Also, I encourage children to bring a snack every day to help make it through until our late lunch. I’ve tried class snacks in the past, but it always ends up being the same people donating. Kids will remember to bring a snack for themselves when they realize that we eat lunch at 12:45 and have a long afternoon. No chips, desserts, or candy please!

*My website : Go to the TSC web page, go to the Staff Directory, search for Mengler, and you should be there.  OR, You can go to the Wea Ridge Elementary School page, and select the “About Us” tab, then select Staff Directory from the drop down menu. 

*Make up work: Please call before lunch if you want to pick up make-up work for your absent student. I generally prefer that if your child is only out one day, that make-up work is assigned when he/she returns.  For multiple day absences, I’ll be glad to get work together for you to pick up or to be sent home with a neighbor or sibling. 

*Diversity: It is my wish to both honor and teach diversity in my classroom. If your child has a particular cultural or religious need with regard to food, celebrations, or holidays, please let me know. In addition, if you have a cultural tradition that you would like to share, we would be eager to learn about it. Please contact me in advance.

*Transportation: A NOTE, PHONE CALL, TEXT or EMAIL IS REQUIRED IF YOUR     CHILD IS GOING HOME IN A MANNER THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM HIS/HER USUAL ROUTINE. This policy is in place to keep your child safe, so please respect that we cannot just take your child’s word for it.  Additionally, if the change is a last minute arrangement, please call the office as I may not get the message immediately.

* Field Trips: We will be participating in the 4th-grade field trips this year. Typically, this involves a visit to the Feast of the Hunter’s Moon in October to learn about Indiana history, and a visit to the Indiana State Museum in the spring.These are subject to change based on availability.

ACADEMIC CONTENT/STANDARDS

*Homework: I try not to give much homework. I believe that children need to have well rounded experiences outside of school which will take up some time. That being said, we will do a lot of projects, but most are completed in class or mostly in class. This is a basic outline of what you can expect for homework:

• Your child should spend about 30 minutes reading every night.

• There will sometimes be math homework assignments. Students will always have time in class to work on the assignment while I teach the other grade level, but if they do not finish it in class, it becomes homework.They are also responsible for completing their assigned IXL practice and IREADY assignments/ Again, there is plenty of time in class to complete these if your child uses his or her time wisely. 

• NEVER SPEND MORE THAN AN HOUR on math homework.  If you’ve given it your best shot, and you and your child are both frustrated, please just jot me a note.  I’ve been there. 

• Spelling and vocabulary practice will be assigned to be completed over a two week timeframe. Your child will need to learn to budget his or her time and manage it wisely so as not to have too much to do right before the test. More details can be found below.

• I will not give letter grades on homework; instead, students will receive completion points which will figure into the overall subject area grade

*Spelling/Vocabulary: I don’t have a traditional “spelling list”. Instead, we focus on a unit of words that share common Greek/ Latin roots.  Students will be expected to spell the vocabulary list, but more importantly, they must understand the Greek/Latin roots and their meanings.  This can best be achieved by regular practice using the daily assignments. Students should not wait to do the whole packet the day before the test. It is counterproductive and doesn’t teach much to just rush through it in one night. There will be a spelling test and also a vocabulary meaning test every two weeks.  

*Language:  Grammar lessons will be combined and will cover both 4th/5th grade standards.  We do not use textbooks, as I will follow a scope and sequence for skills outlined in the standards. I will collect a language quiz for a grade about once a week.  Students will have a few additional grammar and language assignments for grades as well.

*Writing:  Each unit will have a genre focus and several writing craft, structure, and grammar focuses.  I will use stories as mentor texts to model the type of writing I'm teaching for both grades. I will meet with students to view their notebooks and writing progress.  Students will be expected to edit their writing with a peer before turning it in. Graded writing will be assessed with rubrics based on the skill focus for that piece. Generally, one published writing piece will be graded each month. Each assignment will have different requirements, and the rubric for these pieces will be provided to the students before they begin. I usually allow students to type their final drafts since they will be doing that in middle school. 

Cursive: I will sometimes be writing in cursive to encourage students to learn to read it. While it is no longer required in Indiana elementary schools, I expect children to at least be able to write his/her first and last name in cursive, and to be able to read it. Cursive practice is usually provided to students to complete on their own in 2nd or 3rd grade. Students may write in cursive any time if it is neat and legible.

*Reading:  

• We will be reading class novels on a regular basis and comprehension questions will often be assigned for class novels.  

• Individual reading instruction will occur as I conference with students about their self-selected reading.  I'll assess and take notes as they read to me, then guide and make suggestions individually. 

• Small group instruction for those who need it will be conducted weekly or twice weekly in order to help strengthen your child’s reading skills

• Goal setting will be very important in our Accelerated Reader program.  Point goals will be set based on individual reading levels.  Students will set quarterly goals.  AR quiz averages will be part of their reading grade.  Students should read at least 120 min. per week outside of class. 

• EVERY month, students must read ONE AR novel (on their individual level) of MORE than 100 pages.  They must pass the quiz over that book.  This is another component to their reading grade.  They should not wait until the end of the month to select a book!! 

• EVERY month, students must read TWO AR nonfiction texts (on their individual level) and pass the quiz. With the newest state standards, more emphasis must be placed on nonfiction reading, so this component will be a large part of the informational text grade.

*Math:

•  I will need to instruct the two grades separately most of the time.

•  Look for practice pages as homework if not completed in class. If a student is not doing his/her practice pages and turning them in, it will lower the grade because each completed homework assignment is given a completion point.

• Students will also have weekly IXL assignments that will correspond to the skills being taught during the week. If your child uses his/her class time wisely, there is plenty of time to complete these in class.

• Students will also be working through the daily online practice program that accompanies our math curriculum, called iREADY. All Wea students are expected to practice 10 minutes per day and I will provide time at school for this. If your child is using his/her time wisely, they should not need to do this practice at home.

• Quizzes will be frequent in order to assess your child’s understanding of the concepts. These are typically worth around 10 points.

• Tests will follow each major unit of study and are usually worth about 25-30% of your child’s grade.

In order to cover all standards for both grade levels, content for Science and Social Studies will be spread over two years so that anything not covered when your child is in 4th grade will be studied in 5th grade. Thus, they are prepared for the state tests!

*Science: We will be doing Science in units that will be designed to fit both grade level standards.  I generally do not use the district’s adopted science curriculum and have curated my own lessons that I feel work best for my students. We will be very "hands-on," but we will also read plenty of science content as they need to learn content as well as discovery through inquiry.  The students will learn to take notes and to use them to prepare for quizzes and tests on the content.  

*Social Studies:  Because the content for 4th and 5th is pretty different in social studies, we will use “Social Studies Weekly” publications for some content learning.  Content reading may need to be assigned as homework.  Tests and quizzes will be graded and recorded, and rubrics will be provided for projects. 

STATE and CORPORATION ASSESSMENTS 

ILEARN Checkpoints:  These assessments are written by the Department of Education to closely resemble the state ILEARN yearly assessments. Checkpoints are given once a quarter and are focused on only a few skills each checkpoint. If a child does not perform at grade level on the checkpoint, he/she will be asked to take it again. The hope is to better prepare our students for the yearly ILEARN tests which are used to officially measure your child’s growth.

ILEARN State Assessment 

Typically these tests are administered in the spring. They are used to assess your child’s yearly growth and the school’s performance.

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?

The most important thing you can do is to make sure that your child is doing what is expected of him or her both academically and behaviorally.  I am SO grateful for your support!  You can also:

• Donate time once a week to make copies and do filing. (Both are hard for me to get to).

• I always need wrapped candy for quick rewards. Please send some in whenever you think of it!!

• Send in healthy, prepackaged snacks for the classroom store. (goldfish, pretzels, animal crackers, popcorn, granola).

• Donate new or very gently used items for the classroom store.

• Attend PTO meetings.

• Help with or participate in the cookie dough and other fundraisers.

• Watch the newsletter for requests for materials or special opportunities to assist with classroom projects, labs, etc. I also keep a running Amazon wishlist with the link here and in my newsletter. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/fK24tYh?ref_=wl_share

• Help with a class party (Fall, Christmas, Valentines Day, End-of-year). Time will tell what those parties will entail, but I will be in touch when I need assistance.

 It is an honor and a privilege to be your child’s teacher.  I pledge to treat your child with fairness, kindness, firmness and consistency.  Together, we will build in him/her confidence, honesty, responsibility, integrity, pride, and self worth.  I'm looking forward to a wonderful school year!  

 Sincerely, Mrs. Michelle Mengler