E-mail: pharris@sandi.net

native San Dieganmarried 18 years(Mary)daughter (Maddie; attends 5th grade

at Dana) interests: tennis, swimming at the

Cove, alternative music, reading, San Diego sports fan (Go Padres, Chargers)

Beginning my 14th year in education (grades taught: 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th)

taught at inner city schools for first 4 years; 10th year at Sunset View

BA in English from Southern Oregon University

Masters Degree in Education from SDSU

It’s easier and more conducive to learning if you build a child up, not tear him/her down

Be positive yet firm with directives Make sure students understand their role

and expectations within the classroom Attitude, Responsibility and Respect Education is a journey, not a race! “I prefer the errors of enthusiasm to the

indifference of wisdom” - Anatole France

Build life long readers, writers, scientists, mathematicians, and historians

Instill a sense of security in each child’s own abilities

Build independenceHave funFoster risk taking

Math: Read and write whole numbers into the hundred millions. Use concepts of negative numbers (e.g., on a number line, in counting, in temperature, in "owing"). Round two-place decimals to one decimal or the nearest whole number and judge the reasonableness of the rounded answer. Order and compare whole numbers and decimals to two decimal places.

California history: Spanish influence in California (California Missions) Demonstrates understanding of the physical environment (such as climate, water) and the human geographic features of California (brochure). Describes the impact of the Gold Rush on immigration, society, economics, and government, including Statehood (First Person Diary)

Science focus: Knows characteristics of rocks and minerals reflect the processes that made them. Knows waves, wind, water, and ice shape Earth’s land surface. (Science Journal) Understands the unique balance of life within the Kelp Forest (MARE).

9:10 Math (daily)10:30 Reader’s Workshop (daily)11:10 Recess11:30 Writer’s Workshop (3 days) 12:45 Lunch1:30 Read Aloud (3 days)2:00 Word Study (3-4 days)2:35 S.S./Science (3 days)3:35 Dismissal

VAPA: Monday, 10:10 – 11:10am (Music, Dance, Drama)

PE: Tuesday, 1:25 – 2:25pmMusic Instrument: Wednesday,

11:45- 12:45pm (flute, violin, percussion) 12 week sessions

Computer Lab: Friday, 11:30 – 12:45pm

Scripps Aquarium (adaptations and habitats)- Apr./May

IMAX Movie/Science Museum (related to Social Studies or Science)

Indian Hills (Gold Mining)-Oct. Live Children’s Play (Spring) San Diego Mission (either SD or San Juan

Capistrano) Torrey Pines (Rocks and Minerals)-Dec. *****All drivers must fill out new

volunteer forms (at back table)

Turn in completed homework each Friday

Name and # are on each assignment Keep possession of classroom handouts Classroom chores Keep desks somewhat clean Binders are taken to and from school

daily and are kept organized Take pride in one’s work Work to the best of one’s abilities

Assignments are given out Monday and are due on Friday of that week or alternative Math sheets (Excel and Homework workbook) Reading Log (25 minutes daily) Reading Response (one each week) Word of the Week (use it in a sentence) Practice Math Facts (5 minutes daily) Problem of the Week (may need assistance on a

few) Bigger projects may come home at various times

throughout the year for completion Homework problems skipped

Math (envision program) has imbedded levels for students who need more/less support

Early Finishers (Math games, Marcy Cook Tile Boards)

Open Ended/Project based learning opportunities that allow students to take projects further

Self Selected topics of research Pretest before new unit of study (95% or higher

shows mastery) Varied Writing Topics Book Clubs

Consequences First Time: Name on board with check mark; loss

of $10 Piggy Bucks Each additional check will result in a loss of $10

Piggy Bucks 5 check marks in a one week period results in a

loss of Friday Special

Rewards Positive Verbal Praise (daily) Friday Special (weekly) Earning of Piggy Bucks (to be used on

merchandise from Classroom Store) Positive Notes Home (random) Popcorn and Movie Parties (every 10 weeks or so) The joy of learning (each day of the school year)

Friday afternoons (3:10-3:35) those that earned it (playground) those that didn’t (study hall)▪ Behavior (5 checks or more)▪ Missing or incomplete Homework assignment

Classroom Webpage Assignments Field Trips Special Events

Email (I usually check them before school each day)

Work Envelope (sent home last Friday of every month) Mail

Teacher Conferences (Fall-Nov. 15-17; Spring-March 14-16)

March 1 Jog-a-thon () March 23: Dinner/Dance Auction April 24-26; May 1-3 Star Testing Window

(If possible, please avoid scheduling vacations during this time

May 17: Open House/Art Show (tentative) June 13 :4th grade promotion: (12:45

dismissal)

Disinfectant WipesHealthy Recess SnacksGoodies for Classroom Store (old

reading books, $.99 store stuff)

Room parentFoundation Dinner basketArt Project CoordinatorClassroom PhotographerCharacter CountsArt Corp (3 per visit)Classroom Volunteers

Copying/Grading (Friday)Conference sign ups for Nov. 15 – 17