Mr. DeMaio's Website
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Arts and Letters: Finish reading Chapters 12 & 13 and complete the questions posted in the Google Classroom.
MATH: 39-40: 108 (Due Monday)
Tomorrow, we will be wrapping desks for the holidays. Bring in a roll of wrapping paper or a large piece. Also bring TAPE!!
If you were absent today or need to make up work from a past absence this is for Arts and Letters:
Wednesday, 12/3/22
Based on yesterday’s lesson in Arts and Letters, write a response to the question:
How are the three stories told by Nookomis and Dede similar AND different?
You can make a chart or write in paragraph form.
When you finish that answer the question:
How does ORAL TRADITION sustain Ojibwe culture? **Oral tradition is story telling.
Read chapter 12 and annotate with a post-it on every page or ever 2 pages.
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Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Arts and Letters: Reread Nookomis' story on page 151-154 and complete the chart we started in class together on page 50 in your Learn book.
If you were absent the Arts and Letters Slides for Lesson 28--You should stop at slide 15.
Thursday we will be wrapping desks for the holidays. Bring in a roll of wrapping paper or a large piece. Also bring TAPE!!
Math:
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Monday, December 1, 2025
Arts and Letters: Finish classwork--chapter 11 and 2 assignments posted in the Google classroom.
If you were absent the Arts and Letters Slides for Lesson 27--You should finish reading and stop at chapter 12.
Math: Page 37-38 odd numbers
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Arts and Letters : Read Chapter 9 for tomorrow's lesson--6 post-its about every 2 pages.
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Monday, November 24, 2025
Witches: Kennedy only read pages 154-169
If you were absent the Arts and Letters Slides for Lesson 24
Math: Study for your test
Friday, November 21, 2025
This area focuses on understanding what the text says.
Students learn to:
Identify the main idea and important details.
Retell or summarize stories and information.
Use evidence from the text to explain their thinking.
👉 In simple terms: “Can your child tell you what happened, why it happened, and how they know?”
This area is about how the author writes.
Students learn to:
Understand the meaning of words and phrases.
Notice text features (like bold print or captions) and text structure (how a story or article is organized).
Recognize the author’s purpose, tone, and point of view.
👉 In simple terms: “Can your child talk about how the author’s choices, words, pictures, or structure, help make the message clear?”
This area focuses on making connections.
Students learn to:
Compare and connect multiple texts on the same topic.
Use pictures, charts, or media to deepen understanding.
Evaluate and integrate different sources of information.
👉 In simple terms: “Can your child bring ideas together from more than one source to build understanding?
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This area focuses on how students write for different reasons and audiences.
Students learn to:
Write narratives (to tell a story with characters, setting, and events), informative pieces (to explain or teach about a topic), and opinions/arguments (to share a viewpoint and support it with evidence.)
Plan and organize their writing so ideas build logically and clearly, such as telling a story with a strong sequence of events or developing a thesis supported by relevant details and a clear conclusion.
Use writing craft such as transitional words, sensory language, and precise vocabulary to make their ideas clear and engaging.
Revise and edit to strengthen their writing.
👉 In simple terms: “Can your child plan, develop, and refine different types of writing, (narrative, informative and opinions/arguments)?”
Research to Present Knowledge
This area is about gathering and sharing information.
Students learn to:
Ask questions and find answers using books, media, and digital sources.
Take notes and organize ideas from what they learn.
Share findings through writing, speaking, or presentations.
👉 In simple terms: “Can your child use research to learn about a topic and explain what they discovered?”
Conventions of Writing
This area focuses on the mechanics of clear writing.
Students learn to:
Use capital letters, punctuation, and spelling correctly.
Edit their work to make it easy to read and understand.
👉 In simple terms: “Can your child use correct punctuation, capitalization, and spelling to make writing clear?”
*Based on NYS Next Generation ELA standards
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Thursday, November 20, 2025
Today in class, I spent time helping students understand Standards-Based Grading (SBG) and what it really means in the West Islip School District, especially in relation to the district’s current standards and our new Arts and Letters curriculum. Students practiced thinking about their levels in a kid-friendly way, so they can understand their own learning and growth.
After assessing their work recently, I noticed that many students worry that they will get in trouble or disappoint parents if they demonstrated understanding of a skill at a Level 1 or 2. This is a great opportunity to have a meaningful conversation with your child about learning. SBG is designed to show how students grow in understanding new skills and ideas, and Levels 1 and 2 simply mean that your child is still learning and growing as a learner—they are not in trouble or doing poorly.
Last year, the Standards-Based Grading system was still being applied, and teachers were learning how to consistently interpret and assign the levels. This year, with a clearer understanding and consistent application of the district’s Standards-Based Grading approach with the new Arts and Letters curriculum, Levels 2 and 3 now more accurately reflect where students are after instruction. It’s not a reflection of your child doing worse—it’s just a more precise way to show growth and understanding.
Your child may come home today and explain SBG to you in their own words. Talking about it at home is a wonderful way to help them understand the stages of learning new concepts and ideas, and to reinforce that ALL LEVELS are simply part of the learning process.
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Important: SBG does NOT use letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) or number grades (like 85%).
Levels 1–4 do NOT match traditional grades.
SBG shows how well your child understands a skill after instruction (writing a paragraph, adding fractions, finding the main idea).
SBG does NOT use letter grades (A, B, C, D, F).
SBG does NOT use number grades (like 85% or 92%).
The levels 1, 2, 3, 4 do NOT match any letter grade.
There is NO grade equivalent for these levels.
Demonstrating understanding at Level 3 does NOT mean a B, and demonstrating understanding at Level 4 does NOT mean an A.
SBG is only about how much you understand the skill after instruction, not about “good or bad grades.”
After instruction, you tried the skill, but you still need a lot of help to understand it.
Demonstrating understanding at Level 1 does NOT mean you’re in trouble.
Demonstrating understanding at Level 1 does NOT mean you’re doing poorly.
It just means you are still learning and need step-by-step extra support after instruction.
After instruction, you can start the skill, but you still need some extra help to complete it or fully understand it.
Demonstrating understanding at Level 2 does NOT mean you’re in trouble.
Demonstrating understanding at Level 2 does NOT mean you’re doing poorly.
Demonstrating understanding at Level 2 means you’re getting closer to doing it independently after instruction.
After instruction, you can do the skill on your own without extra help.
Demonstrating understanding at Level 3 means you show understanding of the skill independently.
Demonstrating understanding at Level 3 does NOT mean an A, B or C—it just shows you can work independently after instruction.
Your child already knew part of the skill before the lesson and can apply it in new or different ways.
Level 4s are rarely given, because Levels 2 and 3 are normal for most students in any grade level K-5.
This does NOT mean your child is “better” than anyone else—it just shows they can use what they know in additional, innovative ways after instruction.
Level 1, 2, 3, and 4 are NOT grades.
They do NOT match A, B, C, D, or F.
There is NO grade equivalent for SBG levels.
Demonstrating understanding at Level 1 does NOT mean failing.
Demonstrating understanding at Level 2 does NOT mean doing poorly.
These levels only show how much help you need to understand the skill after instruction.
You are never in trouble for demonstrating understanding at Level 1 or Level 2—these levels just help the teacher know what to teach you next.
Middle school and high school use a different grading system with number grades and averages, which is unrelated to SBG in elementary school.
Thank you for supporting your child as I continue helping them grow in their skills and understanding!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kennedy
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Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Arts & Letters: Complete the exit ticket posted in the Google Classroom. You talked through this in class with your group in class today!
Math: 3 Green lights by Friday!
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Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Arts & Letters: Finish writing your 3-4 summary sentences of your introductory paragraph. Your HOOK and SUMMARY sentences should be transferred to the graphic organizer.
(The read aloud is posted in the Google Classroom--for a better one you can use the app Audible, but your parents have to do that for you if they approve because it's a purchase.)
If you were absent the Arts and Letters Slides for Lesson 21 are posted in the Google Classroom. You should read or listen to chapter 8 while going through the slides step by step. Put it in slideshow mode so as you click you can reveal answers to questions. Please try your best to have chapter 8 completed for tomorrow.
Math: Page 36 3-6
3 green lights by Friday
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Monday, November 17, 2025
Arts & Letters: Read Chapter 7--You must stop at the end of each page, reflect on what you just read and jot 1 or 2 major things that took place on a POST-IT. Leave the post-it on each page. Every page of chapter 7 needs a post-it except for the very last one because it's super short.
(The read aloud is posted in the Google Classroom--for a better one you can use the app Audible, but your parents have to do that for you if they approve because it's a purchase.)
If you were absent the Arts and Letters Slides for Lesson 20 are posted in the Google Classroom. You should read or listen to chapter 6 while going through the slides step by step. Put it in slideshow mode so as you click you can reveal answers to questions. Please try your best to have chapters 6-7 completed for tomorrow.
Math: Page 34 5-8
3 green lights by Friday
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Read 20 minutes- NO LOG
ARTS & LETTERS: Complete page 37 in your Learn Book
Math: study
Complete the worksheet from class if you did not do so already.
3 green lights by Friday
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Read 20 minutes- NO LOG
Math: study Page 30 #s 5-8
3 green lights by Friday
Social Studies: Study for SS Test Tomorrow about Government--You have a review sheet in your folder.
BOOK FAIR TOMORROW!!!
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Monday, November 10, 2025
Read 20 minutes- NO LOG
Math: study Page 31-32 Odd
3 green lights by Friday
Social Studies: Complete the Flappies---Study for SS Test on Thursday about Government--You have a review sheet in your folder.
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Read 20 minutes- No Reading Log this week, but you should still be reading.
Math: Complete the page in your practice book pages 23 and 24
Math Test Corrections and Signed Test Due TOMORROW
3 green lights by Friday
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Read 20 minutes- Nonfiction Reading Log is DUE ON MONDAY (THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE WAITED UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE TO COMPLETE & YOU HAD TIME IN CLASS 😊.)
Math: 3 green lights by Friday
You may wear your costume to school! Happy Halloween!!
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Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Read 20 minutes- Nonfiction Reading Log is DUE ON MONDAY
Math: 3 green lights by Friday
Halloween Permission Slip for Food Bring Costume tomorrow if you would like.
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Monday, October 27, 2025
Read 20 minutes- Nonfiction Reading Log is DUE ON MONDAY
Math: study --test Wednesday
3 green lights by Friday
Halloween Permission Slip for Food
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Read 20 minutes- No reading log this week! There is a new Scholastic News : SHOW ME THE MONEY ARTICLE: Be ready to discuss the article tomorrow with your group!! --You should annotate on a post-it or underline main ideas of the article to help prepare you for the discussion!!
Math: page 9 Questions 3-4 (Due Friday)
3 green lights by Friday
Monday, October 20, 2025
Read 20 minutes- No reading log this week! There is a new Scholastic News : SHOW ME THE MONEY ARTICLE: Be ready to discuss the article tomorrow with your group!! --You should annotate on a post-it or underline main ideas of the article to help prepare you for the discussion!!
CRAZY HEAD TO TOE DAY TOMORROW FOR RED RIBBON WEEK!!!
Math: page 9 Questions 1-2
3 green lights by Friday
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Thursday, October 16, 2025
Read 20 minutes- NO Weekly Reading Logs this week, but you still need to read each night. Show your parents your assessed work.
REMINDER: Your accordion folder should be organized! Each subject has it's own section in the folder. Take out things that are not needed. If you are unsure, then ask tomorrow.
Math:
3 green lights by Friday!
complete exit ticket if you did not complete it in class.
Social Studies: Choose something from the "Branches of Government Choice Board" worksheet given out in class. Complete that activity by October 20th.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Read 20 minutes- NO Weekly Reading Logs this week, but you still need to read each night. Show your parents your assessed work.
REMINDER: Your accordion folder should be organized! Each subject has it's own section in the folder. Take out things that are not needed. If you are unsure, then ask tomorrow.
Math: worksheet
Social Studies: Choose something from the "Branches of Government Choice Board" worksheet given out in class. Complete that activity by October 20th.
Science: If you did not finish the exit ticket in class, do that tonight.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Read 20 minutes- NO Weekly Reading Logs this week, but you still need to read each night. Show your parents
(Kennedy's Core Only)
Complete Vocabulary Sentences for Nouns, Verbs and Adjectives in your Google Classrooms--Rough drafts. We will be revising them tomorrow in class. BE SURE TO INCLUDE CONTEXT CLUES IN THE LAST BOX OF THE CHART FOR EACH SENTENCE. NO PARENT HELP PLEASE.
REMINDER: Your accordion folder should be organized! Each subject has it's own section in the folder. Take out things that are not needed. If you are unsure, then ask tomorrow.
Math: page 7: 1-4
Social Studies: Choose something from the "Branches of Government Choice Board" worksheet given out in class. Complete that activity by October 20th.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Read 20 minutes- Weekly Reading Log is Due Friday!
(Kennedy's Core Only)
This will be assessed, so put your best effort and remember to sound out words so they are spelled correctly! If you are unsure look them up on the Chromebook!! You won't always find a signpost and that is OK. If you don't find one on any night, just put an X in that box.
REMINDER: Your accordion folder should be organized! Each subject has it's own section in the folder. Take out things that are not needed. If you are unsure, then ask tomorrow.
Math: 3 green lights due tomorrow (You had a week to complete this )
Social Studies: Choose something from the "Branches of Government Choice Board" worksheet given out in class. Complete that activity by October 20th.
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Read 20 minutes- Weekly Reading Log is Due Friday!
(Kennedy's Core Only)
This will be assessed, so put your best effort and remember to sound out words so they are spelled correctly! If you are unsure look them up on the Chromebook!! You won't always find a signpost and that is OK. If you don't find one on any night, just put an X in that box.
REMINDER: Your accordion folder should be organized! Each subject has it's own section in the folder. Take out things that are not needed. If you are unsure, then ask tomorrow.
Math: worksheet -complete 2 problems
Social Studies: Choose something from the "Branches of Government Choice Board" worksheet given out in class today. Complete that activity by October 20th.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Read 20 minutes- Weekly Reading Log is Due Friday!
(Kennedy's Core Only)
This will be assessed, so put your best effort and remember to sound out words so they are spelled correctly! If you are unsure look them up on the Chromebook!! You won't always find a signpost and that is OK. If you don't find one on any night, just put an X in that box.
Math: page 5 & 6 odd in your notebook
Social Studies: none
Word Study: (DeMaio & Hartnett Cores Only)Vocabulary Packet : Completing the Sentences--(Ms. Kennedy's Core will complete this in class tomorrow)
Monday, October 6, 2025
Read 20 minutes- Weekly Reading Log is Due Friday!
(Kennedy's Core Only)
This will be assessed, so put your best effort and remember to sound out words so they are spelled correctly! If you are unsure look them up on the Chromebook!! You won't always find a signpost and that is OK. If you don't find one on any night, just put an X in that box.
Math: Reinforce Workeet 1-4
Social Studies: Complete Exit Tickets
Word Study: (DeMaio & Hartnett Cores Only)Vocabulary Packet : Match the Meaning (don't forget to underline or highlight context clues), Synonyms and Antonyms
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Read 20 minutes- Weekly Reading Log is Due Friday!
This will be assessed, so put your best effort and remember to sound out words so they are spelled correctly! If you are unsure look them up on the Chromebook!! You won't always find a signpost and that is OK. If you don't find one on any night, just put an X in that box.
Math:
Worksheet --
3 green lights in Reflex by Friday--
Signed math test with corrections due Friday.
Science: Finish Exit Ticket--In the Google Classroom
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
Read 20 minutes- Weekly Reading Log is Due Friday!
This will be assessed, so put your best effort and remember to sound out words so they are spelled correctly! If you are unsure look them up on the Chromebook!! You won't always find a signpost and that is OK. If you don't find one on any night, just put an X in that box.
Math:
Worksheet --
3 green lights in Reflex by Friday--
Signed math test with corrections due Friday.
Monday, SEPTEMBER 29, 2025
Read 20 minutes- Weekly Reading Log is Due Friday!
This will be assessed, so put your best effort and remember to sound out words so they are spelled correctly! If you are unsure look them up on the Chromebook!! You won't always find a signpost and that is OK. If you don't find one on any night, just put an X in that box.
Math: Worksheet
Thursday, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
Read 20 minutes- NEW ROUTINE!!You received your Nightly Reading Record today. This is a weekly assignment that will be due TOMORROW Friday, 9/26. You must choose any 4 days to record on the worksheet. This will be assessed, so put your best effort and remember to sound out words so they are spelled correctly! If you are unsure look them up on the Chromebook!! You won't always find a signpost and that is OK. If you don't find one on any night, just put an X in that box.
Scholastic News in Google Classroom: Due tomorrow- You had 2 days in class to complete this 😊
Math: Study
Science: Exit Ticket
Monday, SEPTEMBER 22, 2025
FAMILY CONNECT NIGHT! ENJOY!
Thursday, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
Read 20 minutes- NEW ROUTINE!!You received your Nightly Reading Record today. This is a weekly assignment that will be due the following Friday, 9/26. You must choose any 4 days to record on the worksheet. This will be assessed, so put your best effort and remember to sound out words so they are spelled correctly! If you are unsure look them up on the Chromebook!! You won't always find a signpost and that is OK. If you don't find one on any night, just put an X in that box.
Math: Page 19 and 20
Science: Exit Ticket is posted in the Google Classroom for Mr. D. You must complete it tonight.
Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 16, 2025
Reading: Complete your "Thank You Ma'am" annotating and worksheet if you did not complete it in class with your partner. You have to find 5 Contradictions in the story. (We went over at least 6 of them in class as we read together and you had 40 minutes in class to practice your reread strategy and complete the assignment.)
Read 20 minutes- NEW ROUTINE COMING SOON!!! You will be getting your Nightly Reading Record tomorrow. This is a weekly assignment that will be due the following Friday. You must choose any 4 days to record on the worksheet. This will be assessed, so put your best effort and remember to sound out words so they are spelled correctly! If you are unsure look them up on the Chromebook!!
Math: Worksheet 1-6
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 16, 2025
Reading: Show your parent your assessed HW from last night.
Read 20 minutes.
Math: Pages 17-18 even numbers only.
Monday, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025
Reading: Complete your Contrast and Contradiction Worksheet --you only have 4 to complete independently. No parent help. If you are stuck, just write what is confusing you on a post-it and place it on that part of the worksheet.
Math: Pages 1-6 but don't do #4
Thursday, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
Reading: You will need a novel that is at a comfortable level for you to read. Due Friday!
Math: Pages 13-14 #s 2,3,6,7
Social Studies: Complete your card to a veteran or police officer.
Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
Reading: You will need a novel that is at a comfortable level for you to read. Due Friday!
Math: 3-1: page 11 all 4 questions