Kolda Country Home

Welcome to the Kolda Country website. Here you can locate Homework Assignments, Kolda Country News, Class Calendar, Long Term Projects, and Useful Links for students and parents. We hope you enjoy using this site!

Back to School

Welcome – Introduction
-    First teaching assignment: 2001
-     CSU Chico Rec. Admin. 1998
-    SJSU credential Program 2002
-    SJSU Masters of Education Instructional Technology 2006

Daily Schedule

Classroom Arrangement
    -    Students arranged in teams of 4 to 6

-     I use the digital overhead projector and digital document camera, as well as the white board and focus walls for displaying information visually.  Students sit on the floor in the back of the room for read alouds.

P.E.
    -    Three 50 minute periods a week, can land on Tuesday through Friday, at any period except during science.

Music

Behavior Expectations
    -  “Reward positive behavior, assertive discipline for negative behavior.”

Life Long Learning Guidelines

Trustworthiness "you can count on me"
Truthfulness "tell the truth, even if it means there are consequences"
Active Listening
No Put Downs
Personal Best "Looking good"

LifeSkills

Caring, Common Sense, Cooperatiion, Curiosity, Effort, Flexibility, Friendship, Initiative, Integrity, Organization, Patience, Perseverance, Pride, Problem Solving, Responsibility, Resourcefulness, and Sense of Humor

Kolda Country Student Expectations

Listen and Follow Directions
Treat others with respect.
Use active listening. Eventually I will call on you, if you raise your hand.
Keep hands and feet to yourself.
Make sure your area is neat.
Be nice.
Work hard.
There are no shortcuts.

Consequences
First warning – verbal warning
Second warning -- $50 fine
Third warning – 15 minute time out
Fourth warning – Loose next assembly, phone call/email home
Fifth warning – Sent to Mrs. Ruiz
Severe clause – Sent to Mrs. Ruiz

Rewards

Praise

Superstars

Class cheers

High fives

Phone call/email home

Bonus $50 for extreme kindness and responsibility

Student of the Month

Magnificent Monday

Kolda Country Jobs and Job Descriptions

Banker, $700

A banker keeps records for five students (one will have six) in the class. This student must be good at arithmetic and a person of the highest integrity.
The banker takes deposits and checks from customers and coordinates accounts with other bankers. There will be six bankers in the class.

Janitor, $700

A janitor is given a specific area of the room to keep spotless. One cleans the computers and book shelves daily. Two students keep the floor clean. Two others clean the desks and chairs, the whiteboard tray, and the teaching and learning station. There will be five janitors.

Grader, $675

Students will grade in three subjects: spelling, mountain language, and grammar.
Spelling graders take home Friday spelling tests and return them graded on Monday morning. Grammar and mountain language graders will collect and return the graded assignments after recess or lunch. There will be three graders.

Messenger, $525

Two students handle running errands to the office and other classrooms. They must know the school staff.

Police officer, $500

Each police officer patrols a selected area of the room. The officer has a book of names of all the students in his or her jurisdiction. If a student breaks any of the class rules, the officer keeps a record. The officers help me collect fines that students pay for breaking the rules. There will be four police officers.

Recycler, $520

Two students take the recycling out every day.

Clerk, $650

These students pass out and collect papers. They help keep materials organized so that I can find them easily, including art supplies. These students know where everything is stored in the classroom.  There will four clerks.


Ball Monitor, $485

This student takes care of the playground equipment. He or she makes sure it all there at the end of each recess.

Light and Door Monitor, $480

This student turns on and off the lights for movies and presentations. He or she also opens the door if there is a knock, and greets a guest.

Computer Technician, $560

This student turns on the computers in the morning. He or she logs into the AR screen on most computers. He or she has to make sure the printer has paper at all times. This student also checks cables and outlets, and reports any malfunctions to me. At the end of the day, this student turns off the computers.
There will be one computer technician.

Attendance and Lunch Count, $600:

This student takes attendance every day on the computer. He or she takes the lunch count. They are very trustworthy and reliable. One student.

If the work does not get done, you don’t get paid.

Students are paid in check, on the last day of the month.

Bonus Money

Bonus Money (awarded in cash) can be earned in the following ways:
$50 for being at the green line in AR, every day

$100 When a scout recognizes that you solved a problem, showed respect, or made a good decision

$100 for Super Team Award

$50 for Great Team Award

$20 for Good Team Award

$ Any amount for showing lifeskills

$200    When another teacher compliments you, telling me directly

Fines (these double when offenses are repeated)

$50    Going to the Bathroom (your buddy also has to pay $50 kolda bucks
$50    Second warning for poor behavior decisions, such as not listening when another student is speaking
$100    Messy desk (discovered in police raids)
$500    Dishonesty

Renting Your Desk Space

Each student must pay monthly rent for his or her desk and chair. This is your apartment for the year. At any time, you may purchase your desk for three times the amount of your rent. For example, if your rent is $850 per month, you could buy your apartment for $3000, now called a condominium.
ALL APARTMENTS $1000

TO PURCHASE CONDO $3000

A student may buy another student’s desk. The renter would then pay their rent to the owner, instead of the bank. However, there is a limit to amount of rent a landowner can charge.

If a student fails to earn enough money to pay his or her rent, he or she will loose their apartment, and sit on the floor. That student needs to earn more money until he or she has enough to cover the rent.

All students are responsible for their own property. Trading properties is allowed, and where you sit must be for one month (for example, ALL the month of September).

Rent is paid to the bank at the end of each month.


Auctions

There will be auctions at the end of each month, where students can spend their extra cash. It is a live auction and requires bidding on each item.

Procedures
-    Bathroom – may use during class, however it is a $50 fine every time unless there is a note from home about it.

-    Water bottles are allowed. Please use a reusable one, the disposable ones are banned. Students may fill their water bottles during recess or before and after school. There are no exceptions for this, sorry.

-    Mechanical Pencils are allowed. They can be refilled. I have noticed better productivity from this age with these pencils. They can use regular pencils, but they must have a hand sharpener in their kit. Students should come to class prepared: their pencils should be sharpened and filled with lead before the school day begins.

-    Binders should be used for organization. There are five dividers that should be in the binder: AR, Math, Writing, Music, and Homework. Students should keep about 50 sheets of binder paper in the back of the binder.

-    Good lines are expected.

Curriculum
-    Houghton Mifflin ELA
o    I emphasize six strategies in language arts: Think Pair Share; Supportive Questioning; Body Kinestetic (TPR); Quick Writes and Reciprocal Teaching

o    Story Comprehension Questions (Responding to Literature)
o    Spelling Tests weekly
o    Focus on four reading strategies for experienced readers – reads and understands a variety of texts for a variety of purposes
o    Reading for Fluency – phrasing rate and intonation - Goal is to read 125 words per minute in 5th

-     Mountain Language – uses correct punctuation and grammar
-    Daily Phonics instruction – spells words correctly in grade level work
-    Study of Greek and Latin Roots

-    AR

o    Goals: Points, Average percent correct, book level
o    Time in class 30 – 60 min. day

o    Reading Logs
o    Test score: 90%
o    Class procedures
•    Library when and how
•    ZPD card
•    Library passes
•    Discover a world of books

-    Sharks Reading is Cool (possible field trip reward)

-    Writing
o    6 traits of writing lessons
o    5th grade focus: fictional narrative, response to literature, and persuasive essays
o    Report Writing
o    Cursive Practice
o    Revise and edit their own work

-    Science
o    3 part rotation: earth, life and physical
o    hands on (supermarket or hardware store science)
o    CST for 5th graders
o    Protect Your Climate (Kolda only)

-    Math
o    Invision Math
o    Pacing Calendar and Downloads
o    Games
o    Accelerated Math
•    Diagnostic tests allow students to show mastery on first try
•    Practice weak areas
•    Test for mastery
•    6th and 7th grade challenges AFTER review of basic skills

-    Social Studies
•    State Report
•    U.S. History and Geography

-    Young Author’s Fair
o    Research based non-fiction book
o    “Ology” book

-    Community Service
o    Penny collection once a month
o    Count and collect money
o    Donations go to the Georgia travis women’s shelter and Heifer International
o    We need parent helpers for the first one on Friday, September 26.
o    School Jobs
•    Litter Patrol
•    Loo Crew
•    Table Wipers
Differentiation
-    Differentiation happens in many ways such as open ended writing assignments, and performance based assessments in math
-    Students may choose a differentiated contract for a challenging report on interesting topics
-    AR books are leveled, ALL students can seek out Literacy Skills and Vocabulary Tests
-    A.M. has objectives at the 6th and 7th grade level to challenge successful GATE students
-    Science Grouping for GATE students
-    After school newspaper program begins in January
-    Reading Series has options for “May Do’s” that are at a challenging level for both fourth and fifth graders

Homework
-    Expect 1 to 1.5 hours of homework every night.
-    This includes at least 30 minutes of reading.
-    Daily Language Review
-    Daily Math Problem
-    Math worksheet from their practice books
-    Practice Book Pages: spelling and written language
-    Give students time and space for homework. Help them.
-    Missing homework results in a $50 fine.

Field Trips
-    Westward Ho! The westward movement at History San Jose at Kelley Park
-    Municipal Court and Police Station (All, free)
-    Science Camp (5th about $260)
-    Golfland (All, free)
-    San Jose State (5th about $4)

Volunteer
-    Art Vista
-    Cornerstone – Read stories and discuss assets
-    Book Order helper – Process book orders
-    Classroom aid – copying, organizing, general support for curriculum and student work
-    Penny Collection

Read with your children and help them with their homework.

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Log in to snapgrades.com to check on missing assignments and progress.

Email me for class assignment questions or procedures. Otherwise, let’s talk face to face about student academic progress or social problems.