See the descriptions for the JM PTA funded programs for the 2005/2005 school year.
PE:
The Rhythm and Moves, Inc. physical education curriculum has been developed over the last 20 years. Beginning with information obtained through the study of elementary physical education curriculum and child motor development at Northern Illinois University, the base of the curriculum and objectives have been enhanced and broadened to include the latest science and physical education information as well as evolving social demands from our changing world.
The curriculum is a collection of 6 years of higher education and 20 years of practical experience in over 100 schools and of 200 teachers.
R&M's provides enough equipment so that every child can participate without waiting. The curriculum is specific to the grade level and builds progressively through the years. See Rhythmandmoves.com website for more information.
The Rhytm and Moves program allows Joaquin Miller to fulfill much of the state requirement for physical activity during the week with a well-constructed and developmentally appropriate curriculum under the direction of a trained instructor.
Each class receives 30 minutes of instruction twice a week. Total cost $39,000
Computer Program
The Joaquin Miller computer lab enriches curriculum for all grades,
K-5, with developmentally appropriate software, activities and special
projects. It enhances learning through the excitement generated in the
lab during weekly one hour visits with their class. Students learn
instructional programs as well as word processing, keyboarding, art and
presentation software which ultimately serves as a bridge to technology
skills required in the upper grades. They also learn about the ethical use
of technology, responsibility for maintaining their own files and
respect for the work of their peers. In addition, it is used for integration
of library and research assignments.
The curriculum is developed through collaboration with classroom
teachers so that it correlates and supports the grade level standards. The
computer classes are an integral part of the total school program and
gives the students another mode for learning.
The lab has a server that manages the 24 computers, color and black and
white laser printers, two scanners, digital cameras and a digital
camcorder. Classes are held all day Monday-Thursday and we welcome you to come and visit during those times!
Each class gets 1 hour visit per week. Cost: $38,000, which includes prep time, class time and supplies.
Teacher's Aides
The aides do a variety of jobs that enable the teachers to have more time to work with students. The aides offer in-class assistance and teacher assistance. In-Class assistance (working with students) includes: math centers, skill groups, literacy groups, art and craft projects, fluency testing (one-on-one), working with small groups of students who need extra assistance, translating (ESL students and their parents). Teacher assistance includes: preparation of materials (art/science projects, homework packets), correcting student homework and tests, recording scores, computer work (word processing student and teacher work), compiling student portfolios, arranging for fieldtrips, Living History Day preparation and participation at event, laminating, photocopying, filing, bulletin boards (setting up and taking down), book binding.
Each teacher receives either five or seven hours of aide support, depending on whether the class is a single grade or a split. Total cost: $34,000.
Joaquin Miller School Library
Every student visits the library once a week to enjoy a read-aloud story and to check out books. Depending on the grade, the read-aloud may tie in to a current area of the curriculum, current event, or holiday. It may be a book in a popular series or a "teaser" excerpt to interest students in particular books. The read-aloud may be a beautifully written or illustrated book, or it may just be fun. Teachers can request that a certain book be read or that we discuss a particular genre, for example, biographies, folk tales, poetry. We enjoyed two author visits in the upper grades this year.
In the primary grades, librarians help each child check out at least one book that he or she can read on their own, insuring that every child can practice their reading with a book that they have selected and they enjoy reading.
Librarians work closely with students and teachers to find appropriate resources for research and book reports. In advance of a class visit, we may pull a selection of biographies, animal books, beginning chapter books, etc. to help students narrow down their selections. We will load a cart with selected books and encyclopedias for students to use in the classroom over extended periods. This year we began instruction in the 4/5 classes on the use of online databases and the Internet for research. Recent lessons have included using the Internet to explore primary and secondary sources on Japanese Internment, and instruction on using online citation making software to streamline the preparation of that dreaded bibliography page.
Each class gets one library visit per week. Cost $21,000 pays for Librarian and library assistant time.
Who pays for books?
Our book budget ranges from $3,000-$5,000 annually. Historically, our books and videos/DVDs have been funded by a combination of state grant money, district money, school site money, the PTA, Book Fair profits, and for the first time, Fall Auction fund-an-item purchases. Money directly from OUSD dried up three years ago. Prior to the state grant, the PTA used to fund up to $1,500 for books and supplies annually. We put a lot of time and thought into purchases, by reading vendor catalogs, book reviews, library journals, recommendations from online discussion groups, and by browsing book stores. With scarce dollars, we want to make sure that every item has a reason to be in our collection. We are happy to take requests from teachers and students for book purchases. We frequently purchase books connected to Open Court themes.
New Technology
We are very excited that new computers will arrive in the library in the next few weeks. Mrs. Lu used school site funds for this equipment. We have also converted our online catalog to a new state-of-the-art web-based catalog which OUSD has purchased for every school. The new system also includes subscriptions to online databases of magazine and newspaper articles, online encyclopedias, and other electronic resources which will greatly increase our offerings beyond books. We look forward to expanding our instruction on the use of both traditional library materials and new online resources. We also look forward to further collaboration with the computer lab. We should add that the district has reinstated a district librarian after two years without one. We now have a library advocate downtown and good support for the new technology.
We welcome parents to obtain barcodes (what we use as a library card) in order to check out additional materials for their children. Please call us in the library if you have any questions about the library’s services or its funding (879-1420).
Carole Brodsly and Cindy Gullikson, JM Librarians