Book Fair at Barnes and Noble!!!!

On December 6, from 5:o0 to 9 PM at the Westminster Barnes and Noble Book Seller, (92 nd and Sheridan store), there will be a book fair, activites, discounts, games, scavenger hunts, music, and art work by our kids that will be on display. There will also be prizes and give-aways for Bromley East parents and children. I will be there all evening! Barnes and Nobles will donate a percentage of all sales to our school for the week of December 6 to 12th. The kick off date is the 6th, but if you shop in the store up to December 12 and let them know you want the proceeds to be donated to Bromley.

Can't wait to see you there!

Jan

Recent Happenings!!!

Our class has been very busy. Miss Carter and my reading class made infomercials last week and presented them. The purpose of this activity was to explore different ways that companies market their products. This was an extension activity and 2 groups even did power points! Also there are several upper level girls working with Mrs. Harrell to set up a blog called Girls Against Bullying, please go to this link to view with your child and respond. The girls are anxious to see some responses to their comments from other Bromley students. I have viewed the site and they are doing an excellent job!http://https://mail.bromleyeastcs.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=c639c58c878549a28282fafa69e1a8b2&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.facebook.com%2fl.php%3fu%3dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.bromleygirlsstandingstrong.blogspot.com%252F%26h%3d67fad
One last item see attached some photos of recent activities - Harvest Hop and Twin Day (see our face book page also) see below for 2 pics!!! These were fun days! My philosophy is; we work hard when it is time to work, and we also "play" hard when it is time to play. Our school wide philosophy is: Reach for the Stars, Be There (be present during class time), Choose your Attitude, and "Have Fun!' We will be completing our in-class three week research project on Bats and Spiders this week. Please look for these to be gracing our halls soon (I will keep them up until Christmas break)!

Have a super Thanksgiving, and please come by to see what we are up to anytime....

Jan

Steve Spangler Video 2010

13 students, 3 Bromley teachers, Mrs. Guyer, Mr Geisler and Miss Anderson show off Bromley science skills on Channel 9 News live!

Hi families, Today was a very exciting day for 13 Bromley students in grades 3rd - 5th. They appeared on a segement put on by Steve Spangler and Channel 9 news. To see these wonderful students, whom are more articulate than their teacher, go to 9news.com/video look on the right and scroll down to the Bromley video. There is also a write up on Steve Spangler's site. We had a great time with these great kiddos, thanks parents for sharing them with us! Everyday they make my day!

Hi everyone, I am sorry I haven't updated recently, but we have been so busy! We have experienced exploring a sheep's heart, plus we went on a wonderful field trip to The Museum of Nature and Science. It was so amazing! We got to visit the Destination Health Section and experience the Lung Lab. This included learning about our respiratory system up close and personal as we dissected sheep's lungs. Please check out our face book site for pictures to be posted soon! Our test over the circulatory and respiratory system is tomorrow!

We have completed our first projects on geography and mountains, our first personal narratives, and our first reports! We are now learning to write 4 different types of topic sentences and conclusion sentences. Next week we will begin our in-class research projects on bats and spiders! We have learned to write summaries and are doing a word study during reading class. We have learned that sometimes spelling rules help us and sometimes they are confusing! As we study the rules, words and their definitions and origin we are learning why spelling English words can be challenging! In math we are done with geometry - but will continue to work on it all year. We have learned about addition of multi-digit numbers, subtraction of multi-digit numbers, and 3 ways to solve these types of problems. We have learned about mean, mode, range, and median - boy this can be confusing. So we will continue to practice. Next week we will be completing our Unit 1 reading test, Unit 2 math test and moving on! Math facts are still a focus so keep studying.

Well, that is my update for now. October promises to bring lots more learning, conferences and Harvest Hop. Look for information on these activities soon!!!!

Hi everyone!
Well, I can't believe it, September is upon us! Over the next 2 weeks during our technology time we will be having MAP tests. These tests are excellent indicators of your child's reading level, (along with dibels, and other pre-assessments I have been giving your children.) I have listened to each of your children read, looked at their dibels (test on oral fluency), reviewed their 3rd grade CSAP scores, read their first book reports, and graded their first reading tests. With all of this information we have placed your children in a leveled reading group for first quarter. Our final beginning of the year assessment is the MAP tests - given 3 times a year. Please stress to your children these tests, even though on the computer, are important. Be sure your children are rested and have eaten good breakfasts each morning. Thank you for your help and support! I will send home a brief report of all of the test results as soon as I have the MAP scores!

Have a super week!!!

Jan

Items of Interest!!!!

Hi Parents and Guardians,

Like I promised I am going to start blogging more and using less paper to send home items of interest. I encourage everyone to read Mrs. Harrell's newsletter online weekly and checking the web site and my blog daily. Just get into the habit of signing on and checking what is going on daily when you check your personal or business email!

I did find lots of what she had to say to be very pertinent to our school and your children!

Also please be aware I have assigned a project. It is a project on Mountains/continents/mapping. I sent it home with each student on Friday. Please sign the front page to let me know you have seen the project and are aware of the criteria and due date. Thank you!

Also we will be starting our new Reading Groups this week. Look for a letter from your child's reading teacher in this week's Friday folder.

Have a super week!

Jan

Hi everyone,

As promised here a few awesome multiplication facts sites. You can go to these sites to practice your facts. Some also have games, fact card practice, timed tests for addition and subtraction also. If you need to practice addition and subtraction just keywork google for kids. When it pops up choose to google search: addition facts (timed) or subtraction facts (timed).

1. www.RhymesTables.com
2. www.aplusmath.com
3. www.dositey:multiplication
4. www.multiplication.com
5. www.math.com

These sites are not just for fact practice many of them have other activites for many types of math problems.

So get started! Learn those facts!

Mrs. Guyer :)

Homework for 8-16-2010

1. Read 20 minutes each night Summer Reading Book Reports

2. Due tomorrow $5.00 for Time for Kids

3. 7 Continents ws

4. Around the Globe ws

5. Family Information letter

6. PE is tomorrow

7. Kitty Think Sheet
8. Finish and show parents goals


Three things we learned today was: One thing we learned today was how to participate in a fired drill. (Eden). We learned how to make and write goals. (Nick) We learned where to go in our class if we have a "Cowboy" drill. (Scott).

We also went over the BECS way and learned Mrs. Guyer's positive and negative consequences for following or NOT following them!

We had a great day!

Mrs. Guyer

Mrs. Guyer’s Back-To-School packet

 

Bromley East Charter School

 

Mrs. Guyer's 4^th Grade

 

Phone: 303-995-3284 cell

School number: 720-685-3297 X 160

Email: jguyer@bromleyeastcs.org

 

 

Welcome to Our Class!

     Let me introduce myself, I am Jan Guyer and I will be your child's teacher this year. I am married to Andy Guyer and we have 4 grown children. Josh, Nick my 14 year old grandson; Kurt, who is married to Michal and they have a 5month old baby girl Teagan; Erin, and Chelsea. This will be my 19^th year of teaching and my 31^st year working with children. I have taught fourth grade for 6 years.

    My hobbies are quilting, reading, hiking, and jet skiing, shopping, camping, and traveling. I grew up on a farm and enjoy sharing stories about my life on the farm. In my class we work very hard! I have high expectations for students, and myself. We are a team; parents, teacher and child. It is important for all of us to communicate effectively. Any information you feel would help me to assist your child this year is appreciated. Please feel free to make an appointment to meet, email me, or send me a note if you have questions, comments or concerns. Working together is important to your child's success this year.

    Thank you so much for sharing your children with me this year, we are going to have a great year!

                            Sincerely,

Rules of the Classroom

No one will keep the teacher from teaching and no one will keep the learner from learning.

1. Follow the BECS Way.
   
2. Follow all directions the first time they are given.
   
3. Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
   
4. Be courteous and respectful of others.
   

Consequences for Following the Rules:

1. Verbal praise and compliments.
   
2. Special privileges: eat lunch with the teacher, free time, bronze slips, BECS letters, positive phone call home to parents etc.
   
3. Tangible rewards: bronze slip trading, treasure box, candies, book marks, stickers etc.
   

Consequences for NOT Following the Rules:

1. Behavior ticket after 1 warning.
   
2. Call home when necessary.
   
3. Loss of bronze slips.
   

** Please read the student handbook for information on school wide rules, uniform policies, and consequences for major offenses in the student planner.

Homework Policy:
Your child's homework usually will be any assignments or class work they did not finish in school. Spelling, reading nightly, studying for tests and math facts, and projects will be assigned homework not usually done in school.

Homework or class assignments are due the next day they are assigned unless it is a project. If a student does not complete their work, they will be required to stay after school to complete it. Usually this means until 4:00. We believe that children need a break each day to be outside and play. We also believe that their work should be completed so they can demonstrate their learning and understanding of what is being taught.

I do assign projects. We will do a research project at school so I can teach the students how to do research, and then students will be assigned a grade appropriate research project to be done at home. Each unit we study in science, and social studies will have a project to go with it, including science fair.

Planners: Each student is required to have a planner. Each day they will write all of the class assignments in their planners, including any that were completed. I will also list assignments on my blog each day. Students and parents will then know what was assigned that day and what needs to be completed to be turned in the next day. Please don't feel you must "grade" your child's work. Look it over more for understanding and go over the topics and concepts for 5 minutes or so if necessary. Let me know by signing the planner each night you saw all assignments and they were completed and put back into their homework folder. Jot me any note if you want to communicate any comments, problems, or questions you may have. This is our communication tool on a daily basis. It is very effective. Homework should not exceed 1 hour 15 minutes including reading. If homework becomes excessive, we must talk, please call me to schedule a meeting.

I do expect students to study math facts 5 evenings a week and read 20 minutes 5 nights a week. The nights are your choice.

Friday Letters:
Each week I will send home a letter in your child's Friday folder, (see example attached). Please go over your child's graded assignments, and complete the letter. It is due the following Tuesday with the Friday folder.

Curriculum:

    READING: We will be "switching" for reading this year. Your child may have Mr. Olmsted, Miss Carter or me for reading. Their reading teacher will send home information on their procedures and policies for reading. We use Open Court Reading series and supplement with literature.

    MATH: We use Everyday Math Series. This is a more hands-on, concept development approach to math. Please see the Family Letter for Unit 1 I will be sending home this Friday. It is a "for parent's eyes only" letter. It includes a description of the program and has the answers for Unit 1 Study Links. The Everyday Math Student Reference book is not used as a textbook, but as a reference tool for your child and you. Students should take this book home every time concept, not units.

    SOCIAL STUDIES: We use the Core Knowledge sequence for literature, science and social studies. The text we use for social studies is called the Pearson text. You can go to Coreknowledge.com for more information on Core knowledge.

    WRITING: Our writing program is based on 6-Traits and the Write Source text book. I blend these two programs in my writing instruction. I teach 6-traits, and also different genres of writing. These include: Personal Narratives, research, Expository (informative, instructive, opinion/debate), poetry, letter writing, persuasive writing, paragraphs, and the essay. I also teach how to generate Ideas, Voice, and Organize their writing.

Absences: Students have 2 days for everyday missed to make up their missing work. Please check my teacher blog (pull down on the bromleyeastcs.org site) for assignments.

Class Schedule: The schedule is not to the exact minute, but a general daily schedule. Each teacher may modify this schedule as needed.

    8:15 – 8:45 Students are picked up; homework is turned in, morning work

    8:45 – 9:30 Reading groups (focus time 9:30 – 10:15)

    10:15 - 11:05 PE, Art, Music, or Tech/Library

    11:05 – 12:00 Writing

    12:05 – 12:55 Lunch and Recess

    1:00 – 1:20 silent reading – journal, book reports

    1:20 – 2:25 Math

    2:25 – 3:20 Social Studies/Science

    3:20 – 3:30 Clean up, Read-a-loud, Assignment books 3:35 Dismiss

Grading:                         

100 – 92 A        91 – 82 B

81 – 72 C     71 – 62 D below 61 is an F

 

Math is graded by standards:

4 – Above grade level

3 – Grade level proficiency

2 – below grade level, needs more work

1 – not proficient

BECS WAY, Bronze SLIPS

Our school wide behavior program is called the BECS WAY. It means Be Responsible, Ethical, Courteous, and Safe. This is the primary way we teach kids to follow the rules, do the right thing, be polite and safe at school. We have a matrix of behaviors that are taught and modeled in each classroom. A student is expected to follow these norms in our school, and playground areas. We begin teaching these ideals in kindergarten. I will continue to teach and model these school-wide standards of expected behavior. When a student goes above and beyond expectations they may receive a BECS letter (a B,E,C,or S) and receive a reward. When they receive all 4 letters they will get lunch with a principal and a call home to parents. It is important children receive a more intrinsic reward of "feeling good" for being "good". Therefore I will give mostly praise, smiles, high 5's, hugs, and calls home to reward students. At the beginning of the year I use tangible rewards so children will get in the habit of being polite, turning in work, and being organized etc. Then as the year goes on tangible rewards will be used less and intrinsic rewards will be more prevalent.

Bronze Slips: Students can earn them by:

    *Positive behavior            * turning in all work on time

    * Using manners                * being helpful

    * keeping their desk organized    * keeping the room cleaned

    * being prepared to learn

Students can lose bronze slips by:

• Having a messy disorganized desk    * not following directions
  
• Missing work – not being prepared    * not being responsible
  
• Talking out of turn
  

 

 

Please sign and return to the teacher by August 19.

I have read and discussed the classroom policies with my child ______________. I understand and support them.

______________________________

        Parent signature

 

I have read and discussed the classroom policies with my parents. I understand and agree to honor them.

 

____________________________

        Student signature

 

 

 

Volunteer Opportunities

There are many ways to volunteer at Bromley. Here are a few ways to volunteer for our class:

1. 
   Donations: treats (candies, full size candy bars, yogos, and other healthy snacks), small toys and items for our treasure chest, paper towels, pink erasers, napkins, paper plates, juice boxes, and other items I will be requesting throughout the year.
   
2. Grading. I usually send home math facts 2-4 times a week, spelling tests etc.
   
3. Copying. I need someone to come in on Mondays for 2-4 hours.
   
4. Friday folders. I need someone to come in Thursday or Friday to do the folders or take them home to do Thursday evenings.
   
5. Student help needed. I need someone to stay and help Monday – Thursday mornings from 8:15 to 8:45 to help 2-5 students with their morning work.
   
6. H.R.H - To come in and help in the classroom for parties, field trips, projects (bat and spider reports, middle ages prep), to bind class poetry books, etc. I usually will send a note home requesting help when I need it.
   
7. Guest speakers: Units are health, circulatory and respiratory system, geology, electricity, chemistry, revolutionary war, constitution and American govt., Ancient African kingdoms, Chinese Dynasties, and Middle Ages. So if you are an expert or have a job in any of these areas, please let me know. I would like to have lots of guest speakers this year. Field trips are so expensive. I am looking right now for a geologist or cartographer.
   

Please tear off and send this part of the sheet back to school with your child.

                        

Name: _______________________________________________________

Phone number ______________________________________________

Best time to call ___________________________________________

Child's name ___________________________Email: _______________________________________

I can help with ________________________________________________________________________.

We had a great day today! I learned so much about each of my students! We had fun sharing about ourselves, learning about Mrs. Guyer, and learning what kind of rewards kids will get when they work hard and follow the BECS Way! Tomorrow we will do some community building activites, learn about our class rules, and spend time discussing what the BECS Way is. See you then!

Mrs. Guyer

DON"T FORGET

Don't forget to come see your new class and meet me Tuesday, August 10th from 4 to 6 P.M. Bring your school supplies so you can put them away. That way on the first day of school we can spend lots of time getting to know each other. After visiting the classroom go back to the cafeteria for an ice cream sundae! Yum! Then go home and get some sleep because I will meet you on the 3/4 playground at 8:15 A.M. on August 11. Be ready to have a fun, exciting first day of school!

Welcome!!

Welcome to our class! I am very excited to meet my new class for the 2010 - 2011 school year! Parents please check the Bromley East site: http://www.bromleyeastcs.org/ for questions about the school. But if you want to learn about our class, you are in the correct place!! I will be adding to this blog periodically, so please check often. Some of things you will find here are: projects, up-coming activities or events, and interesting student and parent links.

Welcome

Welcome to my class website. I will be adding information soon!

Thanks