• Dear Brader Families,

    The Expressive Arts, Science, Enrichment Teachers are delighted to work with your child this year and look forward to collaborating with your to ensure their success. Below is the list of teachers who will be working with your child and a short explanation about their content area. Please feel free to contact us throughout the year.

    Grading Scale for Specialist according to the District Report Card for Expressive Arts Teachers Only (Art, Music, Library, & PE)

    O – Outstanding = Over and above grade level expectations

    S – Satisfactory =Meets grade level expectations

    D – Developing=Needs more time-approaching grade level expectations

    N – Needs Improvement = Participation in opportunities for development needs to increase to meet GL expectations                                              

     

    Behavioral Expectations and Consequences: We are following the Brader Positive Behavior Management System 

    Homework – Opportunities for enrichment will be offered throughout the year.

     

     

    CR-PBIS Behavior Policy

    As part of our Culturally-Responsive Positive Behavior & Intervention Support program, the students will be taught about our school wide ROAR expectations, which stands for Respect, Outstanding Attitude, Achievement, and Responsibility.  All students will be taught the five consistent classroom/school wide rules. The following school wide rules should be followed by all students in the classroom, hallway, playground, and cafeteria. The students will practice the following school wide Whole Brain Teaching rules:

    1. Follow directions quickly.
    2. Raise your hand for permission to speak.
    3. Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat.
    4. Make smart choices.
    5. Keep your dear learning community happy.

     

     

    Art - Mr. Chris Barker BFA, MFA- 302-454-5959 Ext. 307, robert.barker@christina.k12.de.us

    I utilize current research in neuroscience, creativity, and problem-based learning to select the activities available to the students in my classroom.  For example, recent work in neuroscience tells us that children can build a better, more creative brain by exploring unfamiliar areas of knowledge and using their imaginations.  Thus, each activity in my classroom is designed based on its ability to challenge my students to see things in a different way, to problem-solve, and/or explore their creative minds.  The variety of activities available during each class also helps to meet the individual needs of my students throughout the lesson. In addition to using recent research on learning and creativity when developing the lessons for my classroom, I have recently started to learn about and attempt to incorporate research on the effects of trauma on children into my classroom environment.  For instance, I have learned that children will be more able to attend to, explore, and learn new things when they feel safe.  One way I try to increase their sense of safety and reduce anxiety is by providing them with more choice and control over their environment through the wide variety of activities and projects offered during each class.

    Note to Parents: We will be creative in the art room all year long and this often leads to some messes, and an occasional accident, although every material is washable and non-toxic, with the exception of Sharpie markers. That said, if you have any concerns about keeping your child's school clothes clean during art, especially their shirt, then please either send them to school with an old shirt to wear during art, or have them bring an extra shirt to the art room and I would happily store it for them to use each week. Thank you in advance for your support!

     

     

    Physical Education – Mrs. MaryBeth French BSPE, MEd- 454-5959 Ext. 120 mary.french@christina.k12.de.us

    The goal of physical education is to develop physically literate individuals who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity.

    To pursue a lifetime of healthful physical activity, a physically literate individual*:

    • Has learned the skills necessary to participate ina variety of physical activities.
    • Knows the implications and the benefits of involvement in various types of physical activities.
    • Participates regularly in physical activity.
    • Is physically fit.
    • Values physical activity and its contributions to a healthful lifestyle.

    Note to Parents:

    • Please send in a note if your child cannot fully participate in class. We do have stationary bikes for students with limited participation guidelines.
    • Students need to wear or bring sneakers on days they have Physical Education

     

     

    Media– Ms. Lynn Nai   lynn.nai@christina.k12.de.us

    Students at Brader will have library class one time per week and twice per week for a portion of the school year.   All students are expected to follow the Brader R.O.A.R. in each library class.  Library lessons are based on the Common Core Standards and the American Association of School Libraries Standards.  Students will learn information skills, literature based lessons, some technology and internet safety.  Students will also have the opportunity to work in the school’s vegetable garden and explore outdoor classrooms in during this class period.  Students will have the opportunity to check out books during most library classes.  Students are expected to be responsible with library materials and return their books on time.  Volunteers are always welcome!  Please obtain a volunteer packet from the main office and contact Volunteers are welcome to assist in library shelving, book processing, with book fairs and with outdoor activities. Donations of tissues, hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes are encouraged.

     

     

    Music-Ms. Shannon Johnson  shannon.johnson@christina.k12.de.us

    ​​​​​​​Music enriches each child's overall development and enhances brain activity by stimulating many areas of the brain at one time.  Over the course of the next several weeks, all students will be learning about the elements of music including pitch, beat/rhythm, melody, harmony, tempo, and dynamics.  Students will be involved in active music making through singing, playing instruments, moving, creating, and listening to music.  A large emphasis will be placed on activities that start with speech and/or song, move to displaying rhythms with body percussion (I.e. stamp, pat, clap, and snap), and moving to instruments.  Your child will be exposed to music of a variety of styles representing a wide diversity of cultures.  I encourage families that have a special talent in music and/or traditional music to share to contact me to set up a time for you to share your talents and musical traditions with our students.

    Note to Families:   In order for your child to get the most out of his or her music education, full participation is expected and required.  Please e-mail me if there are certain types of songs or activities that your family does not participate in for religious or other beliefs. 

     

     

    Reading Specialist/Resource Teacher – Ms. Dyan Kaufmann, 302-454-5959,  dyan.kaufmann@christina.k12.de.us

    I am excited about the great things that will take place during school this year!  As the reading specialist, I will be working with a select group of students in grades 1-5 and hope to make this year a memorable one for your child if he/she is selected to work with me.  Please contact me if you have any questions about our reading intervention services at Brader and I will be happy to assist you.

    In addition to being the reading specialists/resource teacher, I also help schedule and implement our newest K-5 district instructional readiness assessment, i-Ready and the state’s accountability assessment for grades 3-5, Smarter Balance.  I am also the math content chair for our building and help implement Dreambox for our school!

     

       

    Enrichment Services/AAP – Ms. Lisa Taylor, 302-454-5959 Ext. 341,  Lisa.Taylor@christina.K12.de.us 

    The Advanced Academics Program (AAP) is an enrichment program provided to those students at Brader that have demonstrated being beyond proficiency in one or more core subjects. The program provides these students with rigorous academic work that focuses on higher level thinking and problem solving skills. The program also helps the students to delve into the creative process, allowing them to think outside of the box. The students in this program are pulled out or their regular classroom environment and receive instruction from the AAP teacher. Students are identified for this program based on CoGat scores (Cognitive Abilities Test), standardized test scores, student work, and teacher recommendation.  Parents will be notified by the AAP teacher if your child qualifies for this program.  If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me via email.