April 2024 Focuses  

Reading

       In reading, we are working on Module 7 of the Into Reading Curriculum. In this module, students will read, listen to, and view a variety of texts and media that provide information about building communities. Module 7 is focused on narrative nonfiction that provides students with opportunities to identify the author's purpose, text structure, text and graphic features to better understand unfamiliar texts. As students build their vocabulary and synthesize topic knowledge, they will learn more about the way a dedicated individual or group of people can help make a community stronger and better.

Writing

    In writing, we will read a story about friendship. Students will think about someone they know whose help made a difference in another person’s life. Students will then tell a story about this person’s life and describe what they did to help someone else. Students will incorporate the three basic elements: characters, setting, and plot in their writings. The writing process includes priming the students, Prewriting: Preparing to Write, Drafting I: Beginning the Draft, Drafting II: Writing the Middle, Drafting III: Completing the Draft, Revising I: Integrating Narrative Elements, Revising II: Conferencing, Revising III: Adding Dialogue, Editing I: Grammar and Mechanics, Editing II: Peer Proofreading, Publishing, and Sharing. 

Math

    In math, we are working on topic 8: Use Strategies and Properties to Add and Subtract. In this unit, we will work on solving real-world problems using addition and subtraction, identify patterns in the addition table and explain them using algebraic thinking, use place value and number line to round numbers, use mental math to add/subtract, use rounding/compatible numbers to estimate a sum, solve one-step and multi-step problems by modeling with math, etc. Students will learn and practice basic addition and subtraction strategies along with developing an understanding that addition and subtraction have an inverse relationship which can be used to solve math problems. Students will also learn new mathematical vocabulary and learn how different vocabularies can be used to refer to addition and subtraction.

Upcoming Important Dates  

March 2024 Focuses  

                                                           Reading

     In reading, we are working on Module 6 of Into Reading Curriculum. Module 6 is focused on the behaviors that help animals survive. Students will listen to, read, and view a variety of texts and media that present them with information about animal survival in this module.

This module is mainly focused on nonfiction texts. This module gives students opportunities to identify the author's purpose, central idea, and text structure to better understand unfamiliar texts. As students build their vocabulary and synthesize topic knowledge, they will learn more about the way animals utilize behaviors and characteristics, or traits, to help them survive.

                                                           Writing

    In writing, we are wrapping up our descriptive writing pieces. Descriptive writing skills foster creativity and encourage scholars to pay attention to details which makes their writing more critical and meaningful.  We are also focusing on building onto our previous writing skills such as brainstorming ideas, drafting, editing, and revising to make sure we include essential elements of descriptive essays in our writings.

                                                            Math

 In math, we are working on topic 8: Use Strategies and Properties to Add and Subtract. In this unit we will work on solving real world problems using addition and subtraction, identify pattern in the addition table and explain them using algebraic thinking, use place value and number line to round numbers, use mental math to add/subtract, use rounding/compatible numbers to estimate a sum, solve one-step and multi-step problems by modeling with math etc. Students will learn and practice basic addition and subtraction strategies along with developing an understanding that addition and subtraction have an inverse relationship which can be used to solve math problems. Students will

also learn new mathematical vocabularies and learn how different vocabularies can be used to refer to addition and subtraction.  

Upcoming Important Dates  

Please feel free to reach out to me through the Dojo App if you have any concerns!!! I will be glad to assist you with anything related to our scholars.

February 2024 Focuses

Reading

      In reading, we are working on Module 5 of Into Reading curriculum. Module 5 focuses on Social and Emotional learning. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is critically important to become a good student, worker, and citizen. By developing social and emotional knowledge and skills throughout a lifetime, individuals are more likely to engage in positive behaviors that produce positive outcomes.

    This module mostly focuses on Theme, Character traits, Literary Elements, Media techniques, making predictions etc. This is one of the most important modules of the reading curriculum because it teaches our scholars the importance of teamwork; it shows them how a team can be successful in achieving their goals, overcoming all the obstacles by working together and helping each other communicate their needs in a positive manner.

Writing

     In writing, we are working on developing our descriptive writing skills. Descriptive writing skills foster creativity and encourage scholars to pay attention to details which makes their writing more critical and meaningful.  We are also focusing on building onto our previous writing skills such as brainstorming ideas, drafting, editing, and revising to make sure we include essential elements of descriptive essays in our writings.

Math

     In math, we are working on topic 6: Connect Area to Multiplication and Addition. In this module we will learn to use unit squares to measure the area of a shape, use areas of rectangles to find the area of irregular shapes, and solve problems by breaking apart or changing the problem into simpler problems. We are also working to strengthen our division and multiplication skills. Students will continue to use different strategies to solve division and multiplication problems such as using equal groups, arrays, multiplication & division fact families, etc. Teaching multiple ways of solving a problem is extremely important because it allows our scholars to learn about diverse ways to solve a problem and encourages them to think logically and choose the most effective strategy to solve a particular problem.

Please feel free to reach out to me through the Dojo App if you have any concerns!!! I will be glad to assist you with anything related to our scholars

January 2024 Focuses

Reading- In reading, we are wrapping up Module 4 of Into Reading curriculum. This module mostly focuses on Elements of Drama, Theme, dialogue, Retelling, and Figurative languages. This module is important because through this Module students learn that some stories are better told as plays. We will start Module 5 after the Module 4 assessment. Module 5 focuses on Social and Emotional learning. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is critically important to become a good student, worker, and citizen. By developing social and emotional knowledge and skills throughout a lifetime, individuals are more likely to engage in positive behaviors that produce positive outcomes.

Writing- In writing, we are working on developing our descriptive writing skills. Descriptive writing skills foster creativity and encourage scholars to pay attention to details which makes their writing more critical and meaningful.  We are also focusing on building onto our previous writing skills such as brainstorming ideas, drafting, editing and revising to make sure we include important elements of descriptive essays in our writings.

Math- In math, we are continuing to work on strengthening our division skills. Students are taught different strategies to solve division problems such as using equal groups, arrays, multiplication & division fact families, etc. Teaching multiple ways of solving a problem is extremely important because it allows our scholars to learn about diverse ways to solve a problem and encourages them to think logically and choose the most effective strategy to solve a particular problem.  

Upcoming Important Dates

▫   Extended Learning Time (ELT) program: 01/02/24

▫   Community Circle: 01/05/25

▫   Module 4 Into Reading Assessment: 01/10/24

▫   Working Together Wednesday: 01/10/24

Please feel free to reach out to me through the Dojo App if you have any concerns!!! I will be glad to assist you with anything related to our scholars.

December 2023

Important Routines

The morning meeting is a crucial part of our scholars’ learning throughout the day because they get a chance to express their feelings using the Mood Meter with one another and discuss different things that matter to them. The students eat lunch every day from 11:00am-11:50 am. Students spend a portion of their lunch time in recess in the outdoor yard or the indoor yard depending on the weather condition. There is a calming corner with a bean bag in a corner of the classroom to allow our scholars to take a small break when they find things a bit challenging. This is an extremely important concept to provide necessary socio-emotional support based on students’ unique needs. Students are taught reading, writing and math every day to strengthen their literacy and reading skills.

November 2023 Focus

Reading- In reading, studying the Literary Devices in Poems and Realistic fiction stories. Literary devices are important because they can add emphasis to phrases, help express emotions and provide insight into the author's words by making storytelling and poetry vivid and descriptive.

Writing- In writing, we are focusing on developing skills for writing personal narratives. Developing personal narrative writing skills is important because it not only allows our scholars to share their experiences with others but also encourages them to reflect on those experiences and learn from them.

Math- In math, we are working on developing multiplication skills. Students are taught different strategies to solve multiplication problems such as using repeated addition, arrays, and the distributive Property. Teaching multiple ways of solving a problem is extremely important because it will allow our scholars not only learn about different ways to solve a problem but also think logically and choose the most effective strategy to solve a particular problem.

Social Studies- In social studies, we are learning about how geographers see and navigate the world.  We are focusing on geography to help our scholars develop navigation skills using geography tools such as maps, globes, compasses, Google Earth and google maps. This is important because this will allow our scholars to develop these geography skills and use them in their daily life to get to places.

Please feel free to reach out to me through dojo if you have any concerns!!! I will be glad to assist you with anything related to our scholars.

Meet Your Classroom Teacher

My name is Halima Begum. I am overly excited to be your child’s classroom teacher at Ps. 194, Countee Cullen elementary school. As a teacher I will prioritize my students' academic and social learning needs to help them develop academic skills to thrive in school and grow socially. Every student at Ps. 194 is a valuable part of our school community and we aim to provide an umbrella that includes all students regardless of their socio-academic needs.

Our scholars at Ps. 194 are diverse and competent learners. Thus, we aim to provide necessary scaffolding based on their unique needs to ensure that no one is left behind. We encourage parents to be involved in their child’s learning and advocate their needs to make sure they receive the support to thrive in school.

Our Classroom Focus/Curriculum for This Year

▫   Literacy: HMH Into Reading & Writing

▫   Social Studies: Passport to Social Studies

▫   Math: Savvas Envision Math

▫   Science: Amplify Science

Important Routines

The morning meeting is a crucial part of our scholars’ learning throughout the day because they get a chance to express their feelings using the Mood Meter with one another and discuss different things that matter to them. The students eat lunch every day from 11:00am-11:50 am. Students spend a portion of their lunch time in recess in the outdoor yard or the indoor yard depending on the weather condition. There is a calming corner with a bean bag in a corner of the classroom to allow our scholars to take a small break when they find things a bit challenging. This is an extremely important concept to provide necessary socio-emotional support based on students’ unique needs. Students are taught reading, writing and math every day to strengthen their literacy and reading skills.

Please feel free to reach out to me through dojo if you have any concerns!!! I will be glad to assist you with anything related to our scholars.