Division IV

Division IV

Kara Ring and Melinda Harder

Introduction/Philosophy

Welcome to Division IV! We have an exciting year ahead of us, and we are looking forward to all of the learning experiences we will have with your children.

The Renaissance Academy emphasizes the development of the individual. Our challenging academic curriculum is structured to accommodate the individual needs of students. Our objective is to educate the whole person. Our desire is to give each student the skills to become a lifelong learner. Our hope is that this will be accomplished in an enjoyable manner.

Further, we believe that the role of teachers is not merely one of presenter of facts, but also as mentors whose job is to challenge, question, and encourage students to learn for themselves. Teachers have continuous contact with students in class and are available to provide extra help whenever students require it.

We feel it is important for students to experience a community where people value each other’s talents and unique qualities, and where people help each other to discover, develop, and celebrate those talents.

Curriculum Overview 2007-2008

Writing

The writing curriculum centers on the Writing Workshop model where students

are provided the space, time and materials to write. Students will be

encouraged to write in a wide variety of genres and formats during the school

year. Throughout the writing curriculum students will develop writing skills such

as composing, revising, proofreading, and publishing.

Vocabulary

Textbook (Webster’s New World Dictionary and Thesaurus)

The curriculum for vocabulary is centered on the expansion of vocabulary

and spelling through introduction, practice and use of words from student-

generated lists. Word lists will be used in two-week intervals. The first week

will be devoted to studying new words, and during the second week students

will use these words to create projects with attention to presentation goals.

Reading

The curriculum centers on the Reading Workshop model where students are

provided the space, time and materials to read. Students will be encouraged to

read a wide variety of literature during the school year and will create projects

based on this reading to present to the class. In addition, students will

be required to read specific books related to content areas and participate in

Literature Circle sharing sessions. The class will visit the library approximately

every other week.

Grammar

Students are assigned individualized skill work based on assessment of their

writing in all content areas. Sources for this work vary, and appropriately

challenging material will be distributed to students in their Independent Work

Folders. At times, whole-class grammar studies will also take place.

Mathematics

Textbook (Saxon 65, 76, Mac II, as needed)

The math curriculum will be ability based. We will cover a range of concepts, allowing students to work at their own levels of advancement through the MacIntosh and Saxon textbook series. Regular homework will be assigned from these texts. In addition, most days in class we will be working on reinforcing grade level mathematics standards through direct instruction, hands-on activities, and group work.

Social Studies

Textbooks (multiple sources)

The curriculum for 2007-2008 covers World History, including Early Civilizations, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, the Middle Ages in Britain, and the Renaissance. Through simulation, reading and research, students will focus on the elements that are inherent in any civilization, while relating the contributions of each civilization or time period to their world today.

Science

Textbooks (Multiple sources)

The curriculum themes for 2007-2008 include astronomy, weather, water and geology. Students will learn through both hands-on activities and research. They will be assessed mainly through projects that demonstrate their knowledge of concepts.

Resource Classes

Students will participate in resource classes several times during the week in

the following areas:

-Drama/Art

-Physical Education

-Computers

-Spanish

Academic Expectations

The academic expectations of Division IV call for students to be motivated to complete assignments and create projects which demonstrate their learning. Students are expected to participate in the process of identifying their strengths and weaknesses as part of the process of creating individualized plans around assignments. The program is designed to prepare students in a developmentally appropriate and individualized way for the optimal acquisition and retention of knowledge and skills.

In certain circumstances if a student does not meet academic expectations, teachers will arrange a student/teacher/parent conference to discuss strategies for improvement.

Academic Study Hall

Academic Study Hall is provided as an optional educational tool to assist students with managing their academic responsibilities. Study hall will be held from 3:35pm-4:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the Division IV classroom. A teacher or administrator will supervise each study hall session. In order to participate in study hall a student must submit a parent-signed Study Hall Permission Form at the beginning of each quarter, indicating which days he or she will be participating. Once a student signs up for study hall he or she is required to attend throughout the quarter. If special circumstances arise, a parent must see the study hall teacher to sign out the child.

Class Work

Students will follow a weekly schedule of academic activity periods (social studies, math, foreign language, etc.). Academic requirements will be completed using a variety of groupings and settings including individual work, small team projects, partner labs, class instruction, simulations and field trips. In order to complete the academic requirements of Division IV, students will use myriad sources including textbooks, primary sources, periodicals, and the Internet.

Homework

Students will need to complete assignments at home in order to successfully contribute to each day’s educational activities. Students in Division IV begin with 30 minutes of homework each night and gradually work up to 60 minutes across their two years in Division IV. Students fill out homework planners at the end of each school day and should refer to these carefully each night as they complete their homework. Time limits will be given for each assignment, and students are expected to maintain focused effort on that assignment for that time period, then stop and move on to their next assignment. Assignments that are incomplete within these parameters will not be penalized.

When students need information regarding their homework, they can begin by contacting a classmate for clarification. They are also more than welcome to contact their teachers during their evening phone hours as needed.

Students are expected to actively participate in the process of communicating with the teacher about incomplete assignments. Students are required to fill out an “Oops Note” (*see attached) for all late assignments. These notes will serve to guide the student in their homework management skills, inform parents of recurrent problems and track trends that need to be addressed through a more structured plan. Division IV will maintain a “Missing Work Board” in the classroom, which lists any missing assignments next to each student’s name. This board will allow students and parents to stay informed about assignment status on a daily basis.

First year students will receive no penalty for late work contingent upon their active communication with teachers about why their work is late and their completion of the assignment according to an agreed upon plan. If work is not completed by the due date in the agreed upon plan there is a possibility that no credit will be given for the assignment.

Second year students will receive grade penalties for late work. Students may avoid being penalized for late work by arranging for an extension at least one day prior to the original due date. If work is not completed by the due date in the agreed upon plan no credit will be given for the assignment.

Division IV students will be required to PC (please correct) any test or quiz that scores below 59%. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to PC any assignment, quiz or test which scores below an 80%. PC work will be accepted within a week of the original due date or test date.

*In Division IV students are expected to complete homework independently. We encourage parents to play a supporting role in helping their children with homework. Please see attached “Helping With Homework” for more information about supporting your child.

Expeditionary Learning

We regularly leave the school for learning experiences beyond the classroom. We may hike on school property or take a van to local sites for curricular extensions. Parents will be notified of upcoming field trips (and any related fees) on a monthly basis, and permission forms must be signed for each trip and returned to the teacher as soon as possible. Any student who does not have a signed permission form cannot attend the field trip. Also, as a matter of safety, any student who does not have the proper outdoor wear will be given an alternate activity to do at school until the class returns from an outdoor excursion.

Division IV goes on three overnight expeditions per year. This year we project that our fall trip will be to Spruce Grove Campground, our winter trip will be to 100 Elks Lodge in Buena Vista, and our spring trip will be to the Boulder or Denver area. The following delineates the scheduled time frames and projected costs based on previous years’ fees.

Time Frame Approximate Cost

Fall Trip 2 days, 1 nights $40

Winter Trip 3 days, 2 nights $125

Spring Trip 4 days, 3 nights $200

For each trip, there will be specific gear checklists. Students are asked to bring in their trip gear the day before we leave on our trip so as to ensure the proper supplies. Plan ahead for warm camping gear needs such as fleece, non-cotton long underwear, and sleeping bags.

Assessment

Evaluation of student work will be conducted on a continual basis throughout the year. Students can expect constructive feedback in oral, written, or numerical form on all assignments. Also, students will participate in self evaluation regularly. Often rubrics will be provided in advance of projects to guide students toward quality results. The goal of all feedback is to further learning and determine future steps towards mastery of concepts for each child.

Report Cards / IENs

At the end of each quarter, parents/students will receive Report Cards. In addition, Individualized Education Narratives (IENs) will be distributed at the end of the second and fourth quarters. An IEN specifically outlines the content and assesses the student’s progress in integrating skills and content during the previous terms. Students/parents will also receive Mid-Term Reports and Pre-Final Reports. These reports are intended to provide students and parents with feedback so that they may evaluate and readjust their academic strategies. Parents are expected to review these assessments with their children and return a signed copy to teachers.

Behavioral Expectations/Discipline System

Life skills are a significant part of the Renaissance experience. We continually reinforce skills in the areas of decision-making; interacting with others; staying organized, prioritizing and managing our time; and problem-solving. It is through these skills that students become confident and capable young people. Naturally, development of these skills takes time, and we will allot as much time as is necessary for students to grow into these skills.

Behavioral expectations are based upon respect and safety. Our guiding rule for Division IV is known as the “Silver Rule”: To further the learning and well-being of ourselves and others. Disrespectful behavior such as excluding, ridiculing, or putting down a classmate will not be accepted. In addition, the use of inappropriate language or negative gestures will not be accepted. The classroom is a place for learning; behavior that interferes with this mission is unacceptable. Ultimately, the safety of each student is paramount, and therefore any behavior that threatens the safety of a person will be immediately referred to the Director.

When involved in a conflict with another student, students are expected to utilize appropriate conflict resolution. The “Steps 1, 2, 3 Plan” (*see attached sheet) guides students through effective resolution strategies.

Acknowledgments such as “warm fuzzies” are earned by Division IV students for demonstrating their ability to be positive leaders. Consequences for inappropriate behavior are outlined in the Disciplinary System below. There will be a consequence for each behavior that falls outside the social expectations of the school. Whenever a student’s behavior deviates from our social expectations, the student will be counseled to assist him or her with making behavior modifications. At times, students will be asked to write about their behavior choices and their consequences. Mandatory Community Service is a way that students can give back to the community in a situation where they contributed to disrupting its harmony. Adults will make an effort to warn students of inappropriate behavior; however, a student is responsible for controlling his or her behavior and thus must accept the consequence of any behavior that endangers the safety of anyone in the school without prior verbal warning.

Disciplinary System:

Type of Offense Consequence

First Minor Offense Sign-in and speak with teacher about offense before the end of the day.

Second Minor Offense Sign-in

Within Same Day Temporary removal from class activity

Third Minor Offense Transmittal to Office

Within Same Day (or) Meeting with Director/Student/Teacher to

Major Offense create a behavior contract

Possible Behavior Notice & call to Parents

Possible 30 min community service

Possible loss of privileges for one week

Fourth Minor Offense (or) Transmittal to Office

Second Major Offense Behavior notice & call to parents

Within same Week Director/Teacher/Student/Parent meeting to

reassess the Behavior Contract

Possible loss of recess privileges for one week

Possible School Suspension

Typically, minor behavior issues involve the low-level disruption of the

classroom or school learning environment. Minor behavior that is not

acknowledged sometimes evolves into major issues and therefore all behavior

issues, however minor, must be resolved to insure the most productive and

safe classroom environment. Moreover, minor offenses can monopolize the

attention of an instructor and negatively affect the learning experience of other

students. We are, therefore, committed to developing a school environment

where students and teachers understand the boundaries of behavior and are

dedicated to seeking constructive solutions to conflict rather than raising

tension and turmoil.

The following major offenses are extremely serious and require the immediate

attention of the teacher, the Director and the parents.

-Physical-verbal abuse/assault or harassment

-Destruction of school/personal property

-Theft, stealing, or borrowing without permission

-Racist language or swearing

-Academic cheating

-Lying or acts of dishonesty

-Chronic minor offenses

Communication

There are several ways that Division IV communicates with parents throughout the year:

·The Renaissance Academy Web Page: The school web page (www.therenaissanceacademy.org) offers information not only about Division IV, but also the entire school. It highlights important divisional activities and student work, calendar events, general info, gifted student information, and donation and gift information.

·Wednesday Update: Weekly e-mail from administration to inform families about upcoming events, current issues and other useful information.

·Division IV Newsletter: Biweekly e-mail newsletter created by Shannon Holub and Melinda Harder to inform families of in class content and activities as well as upcoming field trips.

·Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences: Division IV conferences are held two times a year, at the end of the 1^st and 3^rd terms. They are a celebration of student achievement led by students, with time reserved for any parent or teacher concerns that need to be addressed.

·Office Hours: Parents are welcome to arrange meetings during teacher office hours, which occur mainly before and after school and during planning periods during the school day. Such meetings may be requested at any time to address concerns as they occur.

·Evening Phone Hours: Students who have questions about homework or concerns are encouraged to call Shannon Holub (233-1630) between 6:00pm-7:00pm Monday-Thursday or Melinda Harder (238-6742/592-0371) between 7:00pm-8:00pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. If you leave a message, your call will be returned as soon as possible. Parents should feel free to utilize evening phone hours as well, if they have questions or concerns.

·E-mail: (divisioniv@therenaissanceacademy.org) This is the most convenient way for parents to communicate quickly with the teachers. E-mail will be checked every morning.

It is the responsibility of the parents to inform the teacher of situations that may affect the academic, social, or emotional well being of their child, for example, the death of a pet, illness within the family, changing residence, or any upset in the child’s routine. It is essential that teachers are informed of children on medication and/or in therapy so that they may support the efficacy of these treatments.

Daily Schedule

Arrival/Dismissal Procedures

Students are allowed to enter the classroom at 8:15am and are expected to be unpacked and ready for instruction by 8:30am. Any student entering the room after 8:30 will be recorded as tardy.

Morning work will be posted on the board by 8:15, and students are expected to begin this work as soon as they are unpacked. The teachers’ focus is on the students during this time period. A quick message from a parent to the teachers is welcome; however, conversations needing more time should be deferred until office hours. Feel free to touch base with a teacher in the morning if you’d like to arrange a meeting for a later time.

Students will be dismissed from the classroom at 3:30pm to a parent or authorized guardian. If you have arranged alternate plans for your child’s pick-up, you must contact the school earlier that day. You may send a note with your child or fax or phone the office.

Class Schedule

A copy of the class schedule will be posted on the white board outside our classroom. Parents will be given finalized copies on “Back to School Night” in September. Keep in mind that, due to integrating instruction across subject areas, time frames for core classes may be adjusted occasionally to suit curricular needs.