August 17, 2015Benninghoven Elementary

Mrs. Viestenz

Mrs. Viestenz

This is my 4th Year teaching in SMSD. 4 Years in First Grade 6 Years in Raytown School District in First

BS in Elementary Education from Missouri State University

MS in Elementary Education from Webster University

I believe in a positive approach in the classroom and will strive to make your child’s learning as exciting,

challenging, and as interesting as possible.

How can I be reached? I can be reached by phone or email

between the hours of 7:30-3:30.

Phone: 993-1970, voice mail picks up during school hours. I try to check it during specials.

*Please call the school office if the message needs to get to me by dismissal! We will get back to you within

24 hours.

Emailing is very efficient:tamiviestenz@smsd.org

Web Back Pack

You can keep up to date by checking our classroom webpage on a regular basis. You will find all kinds of information on this, for example, each month I will

upload our homework report and newsletter. You will also find information on websites you can use for

homework.

The website is http://www4.smsd.org/tamiviestenz

Reading/Language Arts Curriculum

Reading Wonders Teaches to the Common Core Standards Teaches students to access, understand,

engage, with and write about text. Starting in unit 1 the program offers a

differentiated approach to motivate students and their own reading level.

DIBELSDynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills Initial Sound Fluency

assesses a child's ability to recognize and produce the initial sound in an orally presented word. Goal for Fall is 8.

Phoneme Segmentation Fluency Measures the student’s ability to segment 3 and 4

phoneme words into their individual phonemes fluently in 1 minute. Test taken in Winter and Spring.

Nonsense Word Fluency Measures the student’s ability to correctly produce

verbally the individual sound of each letter or verbally produce or read the whole nonsense word in 1 minute. Test taken in Winter and Spring.

Oral Reading Fluency Measures students words per minute.

Math CurriculumOur Math curriculum is enVision Math. This program consists of the following concepts:

Topic 1- Numbers to 12

Topic 2- Comparing Numbers

Topic 3- Understanding Addition

Topic 4- Understanding Subtraction

Topic 5- Five and Ten Relationships

Topic 6- Addition Facts to 12

Topic 7- Subtraction Facts to 12

Topic 8- Geometry

Topic 10- Counting and Number patterns to 100

Topic 11- Tens and Ones

Topic 12- Comparing and Ordering Numbers

Topic 15- Time

Topic 16- Addition Facts to 18

Topic 17- Subtraction Facts to 18

Topic 18- Data and Graphs

Topic 19- Fractional Parts

Topic 20- Adding and Subtracting with tens and ones

Science CurriculumIn Science, we will be learning… About Animals Plants Earth- Land, Air and Water Weather and Seasons Things around us Water Nutrition

Social Studies

US Cultures

Significant Historical Groups and Individuals

US Climate

Community, Family, and School

Rules

Consumers and Producers

Home-School Communication

Take Home Folder-Green

This folder should come home every night and should always be returned to school.

This is a great way to help your child become responsible. Please make sure your child shows you this folder each evening and go over the

papers together.

Homework Homework is not given a grade. Homework

assignments are generally reinforcing the skills or strategies learned in the classroom.

Homework suggestions: SMSD recommends 10 minutes of homework

per grade level. Reading to and listening to your child read.

Sight Words

Decodable Books

Web Back Pack

Book It!

Behavior Management Tools

Benninghoven Noble KnightsPBS

Positive Behavior System

Our Weekly Specials Schedule

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday2:00-2:30 MusicMrs. Scozzafava2:30-3:00 PE Mr. Benson*Wear tennis shoes

2:00-2:30 Second Step2:30-3:00 SS/Science Video

2:00-3:00 ArtMrs. Goodman

2:00-2:30 MusicMiss Hoefer2:30-3:00 PEMr. Benson*Wear tennis shoes

2:10-3:00 Library Mrs. Readman*Remember to send library books

11:25-11:50= LunchEarly Release Lunch 10:45-11:10

11:25-11:50= Lunch Early Release Lunch10:45-11:10

11:25-11:50= Lunch Early ReleaseLunch10:45-11:10

11:25-11:50= Lunch Early Release Lunch10:45-11:10

11:25-11:50= Lunch Early Release Lunch10:45-11:10

Mrs. Viestenz’s Specials Schedule ’14-’15

Star of the Week Each child will be “Star Student” for one week. Star Student bag goes home. Receive a book from peers. Please have your child fill in all parts of the

poster and be as creative as you wish.

Birthday TreatsBirthdays are an exciting time. Of course, we love to

celebrate birthdays in our classroom! Students are allowed to bring one edible item per

classmate. Please do not bring drinks. Generally, we will celebrate birthdays at the end of

the day before specials. Please try to send treats in the morning with your

child or make arrangements for when you would prefer to bring them.

We also love to celebrate half-birthdays for those who have a summer birthday.

Field TripsWe are waiting on approval. A email will go out when we have them set and they are getting close. We will at that time ask for volunteers and then draw names. We plan on going to two possibly three field trips this year.

Book Orders Each month or couple of months I will do

a Scholastic book orders. The website is https://orders.scholastic.com/LLYXV.

You do not have to order any, but if you would like to, take some time to look through the website. There are books for less than $3!!! Our class code is LLYXV and due date

information is posted on the website.

Parent Volunteers

If you would like to be a volunteer in our classroom please email me with the times that you are available.

Parent volunteers that would like to work with students need to complete the MVP application on the SMSD website under community. This includes Watchdog Dads!

If you would like to volunteer to help with copies or making projects you do not have to go through the MVP program.

After receiving parent requests for volunteers I will make a schedule. With IPADS in our classroom this year I am anticipating needing some assistance during that time .

There will also be a few special days (ex. 120th day of school) that I will send a separate email out looking for parent volunteers.

Important Phone Numbers Benninghoven Office 993-1900

Mrs. Viestenz 993-1970

Ms. Dare (nurse) 993-1902

Ms. Riley (principal) 993-1901

The most important thing to remember ALL year is……..

I am here to help your child do his/her very best and I firmly believe that can only be done if we all work together!

We are going to have a great year! Talk to your child each night about what they did and you will be amazed about what you can learn.

If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me. I will do my very best to keep you informed about your child’s progress at school.

Don’t forget to sign up for conferences on the sign up at www.volunteerspot.com that was created.

I have created a classroom wish list through

TeacherWishList.com. We would love it if you could

help our classroom out by donating one or more items

from our wish list.

To help, follow these directions:

1. Go to www.teacherwishlist.com

2.Click on the tab that says “Find a List.” 3. Enter our school’s zipcode.4. Find our school.5. Click on my name.6. Print the wish list!7. Send your donation into school with a post-it saying that it is from you.

****Please take a helping hand tonight for our class needs.

Thank you for supporting our class!