Welcome!

Welcome students and parents to our classroom web page!  Here you can find important dates for the school as well as upcoming test or project dates.  A weekly newsletter will be posted each weekend starting the weekend of August 16th

You may also see pictures of your child and his or her peers active in the classroom! 

Finally, you are able to find our classroom homework policy as well as a list of daily assignments posted before 5pm.

Philosophy 

I believe in the approach of "know them, love them, teach them."  This is how I teach - in that order - so that your child knows just how important they are in our classroom.  We will function as a team, supporting and building each other up.  We will always do our best, be as independent as possible while not being afraid to ask for help, and learn from our mistakes.  I believe that all children can learn if given the right opportunities.  I strive to provide an atmosphere that is safe, encouraging, and full of chances for discovery, growth, and practice.  I have high expectations for all of my students because I believe that if you set the bar high, students will reach for it.  I am aware that each child enters the classroom with unique experiences, backgrounds, talents, and skills.  I will be dmy best to meet each child where they are and challenge them to grow to the next level of development and beyond.  I believe that parents and families play a huge role in the academic achievement of a child.  Please take the time each day to talk to your student about their day and check their planners.  Parents are my partners for student success!  Lastly, I want you to know that I love teaching.  It is a passion, not a job for me and I care very much for you child.  Please know that I am always striving to do what is best for every one of my students.  I look forward to getting to know both you and your child as we learn and grow together throughout the school year!  I believe that a successful year starts with open communication between families and teachers.  Please feel free to email me at t.mcilvaine@westside.k12.ca.us anytime with questions or concerns.  I am looking forward to a year full of learning, laughter, and life changing moments!

Teaching Math

I teach math as a CGI classroom.  In a cognitively guided instruction classroom, students learn more than one way to solve a math problem. They demonstrate not only procedural knowledge, but also conceptual knowledge. Students develop strong number sense. They become experts at explaining the problem solving process so that they can transfer knowledge and apply it to real world situations.  Students learn from each other using standard algorithms as well as invented algorithms.  They gain confidence in math, and in themselves and learn that their input is valuable!

Teaching Language Arts

Language arts incorporates reading and writing which overlap in many ways.  Both will occur throughout the curriculum in all subjects.  I use a Lucy Caulkin approach to teaching writing.  Here students work on pieces of a solid essay one at a time.  We write, revise, edit, and make final drafts.  Students will have a weekly paragraph writing assignment given on Monday that will need to be turned in on Friday of the same week.  We will practice writing in a variety of ways such as narrative pieces and informational pieces. 

For reading I have a HUGE classroom library.  Books are marked in an alphabetical ranking system.  Classroom books will range from level S to level Z which corresponds with grade levels 5-8.  I will assist students at picking a "just right book" that will challenge them without frustrating them.  They will be able to check out the books in the classroom and possibly bring them home on the weekends so that you can see what they are reading.  Weekly I will meet one on one with each student to discuss what they are reading, provide them with a comprehension strategy to focus on, and ask them to prepare a short answer for our next meeting.  Additionally we will be reading from the Journey's text, learning new vocabulary and practicing spelling words.

"The best way to predict your future is to create it."  - Abraham Lincoln