Welcome to Neas

Back to School Night!

JEMISON ROTATION
JON BLUMENFELD
YESENIA EZELL
BETHANY MIGUEL
Schedule
8:00 - Morning Circle/Roots Reading

8:15 - 1st Seminar

9:20 - 2nd Seminar

10:25 - Recess

10:50 - 3rd Seminar

11:50 - Lunch

12:35 - Enrichment (Music, P.E., Art, Tech, Mind Lab, Project lab, Mind Lab or
Choice)

1:35 - Recess

1:50 - Elective/Enrichment

2:50 - Closing Circle

3:00 - Dismissal (2:00/Wednesdays)

Science with Jon

-NGSS FOSS curriculum from Lawrence Hall of Science

- Life, earth, and physical science

-Hands-on, inquiry-based investigations

- Science journals and readings

-Practice using scientific instruments

-Develop critical thinking, collaboration and communication

skills through group work and science writing.
Mathematics with Yesenia

Multi-curricular Math Seminar:

Engage learners with various resources including:

Marilyn Burns, LearnZillion, Khan Academy, Illustrative

Mathematics

Deepen learners understanding of numbers and how operations work

together through essential vocabulary and demonstrative activity

Apply mathematical strategies in real-life situations

Encourage communication and teamwork through collaborative

learning and accountable talk

Implement self-guided learning through weekly rotations

Humanities with Bethany

Project-based Humanities seminar:

Readers and writers workshops challenge learners to produce writing
they are proud of and simultaneously motivate them to engage in
deeper inquiry and depth of knowledge in their reading and writing.

Writers Workshop: narrative, opinion, and informational writing

aligned with interdisciplinary project, poetry

Readers Workshop

Comprehension questions for class read alouds

P.E. groups

Social Studies aligned with 2016 CA State Standards Framework

3rd grade: Local history; 4th grade: California history; 5th grade: US
 Writing Journals and Spelling

-Writing journals and spelling quizzes will alternate every week

during Mind Lab. Learners will also complete a writing journal
entry one morning each week.

-Journal entries will not be graded this year. Learners will utilize
their writing journals as a space for self-reflection.

-Journal entries will integrate social/emotional concepts presented

in Second Step and Dynamic Mindfulness.

-Using the Words their Way spelling program, word lists will target
specific spelling patterns. Learners will be grouped based upon
individual spelling needs. Spelling lists will be posted on the
website.
 Assessment
All grade are set up with rubric scoring 1-4.
A 1 is below grade level, a 2 is approaching grade level, a 3 is at grade
level, a 4 is above grade level.

We will use Jupiter Grades to track assignments and

scores. This will be accessible to 4th and 5th grade
parents online.

All grades will be transferred onto a standards based

report card that will be distributed at the end of each
trimester.

DRA reading levels will be reported on each

trimester report card.
 Electives and Enrichment classes

Learners pick 4 electives per year which are held on

Thursday afternoons and run for about 7 weeks.

Learners participate in three enrichment classes

weekly; P.E. (Jon Moore), Music (Mr. Cliff/Ms.
Ronnie) and Art (Ms. Susie)

Choice, Mind Lab and Project Lab are also held

weekly with homeroom facilitators
Nea Nine Principles

o Curiosity
o Organization
o Persistence
o Compassion
o Accountability
o Problem Solving
o Courage
o Teamwork
Class Dojo

We use Class Dojo to reward learners for positive

behavior and keep track of off task behavior.

It is also an easy way for us to chat or relay

important information about your child.

If you are not already connected on Class Dojo,

please email your childs facilitator to gain access.
Behavior Matrix
Field Trips
5th grade camping trip
4th grade Balclutha trip
All grades various day trips
LIVE SCAN fingerprinting and TB testing required
for all chaperones. Live Scan available tonight at Nea!
Many of our field trips require parent drivers. Please
get paperwork together ASAP for Becky in the office.
Two Referrals = loss of next field trip
Birthdays

If you would like to celebrate your childs

birthday at school, please let your
homeroom facilitator know. You are
welcome to bring in a healthy snack to
share. If you have any questions about
snacks, please ask us.
General Information

Websites: Please follow the link in the weekly parent

email to read updates on each seminar
nealvrotations.weebly.com
If you havent been receiving weekly emails from us,
please give us your email tonight.

Please send your child with a reusable water bottle

everyday.

Interdisciplinary projects once per trimester and

content-specific projects in seminars.
 Questions

If you have subject specific questions, we will be

available until 7 pm.