Atwood Academics
Positive Behavioral Intervention Support (PBIS)
Atwood uses a Positive Behavior/Intervention Support Plan. We teach our students 3 main goals (rules), and the how those goals (rules) are to be met/followed in all areas of our school.
Atwood's Gator Goals:
- Be Respectful
- Be Responsible
- Be Safe
Positive Behavior Support Brochures
Kindergarten-2nd Grade
3rd-5th Grade
In addition, we are a Leader in Me School. We teach the students to live the 7 Habits of Happy Kids. These habits teach us to:
- Be Proactive
- Begin with the End in mind
- Put First Things First
- Think Win-Win
- Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the Saw.
We believe that EVERY child has the ability to be a leader in some capacity. We strive to teach our students to take ownership for their behavior and to interact with other people respectfully.
literacy links
We have begun the school year looking forward to many new endeavors.
I am Kelly Darlington and I am the Learning Support Specialist. My role is to support the staff, students, and parents in the areas of reading and writing. Our focus is to promote a balanced literacy program. Teachers not only focus on what they teach, but how they teach. On a daily basis, teachers include time for guided instruction and independent practice.
My site will be updated throughout the school year and I will be providing helpful reading and writing tips to use at home with your child. I will also provide links that you may wish to explore with your child to help in the development of his/her literacy skills.
If you have any literacy questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me: darlike@lc-ps.org.
Four Square Writing Method
The Four Square Writing Method (Judith Gould) is designed around the use of a graphic organizer in planning a piece of writing. It is a square box divided into 4 smaller squares similar to what you would have if you folded a piece of square paper into fourths. In the center of the page there is an additional box; therefore there are a total of five boxes. For younger students, the center box is designated as the topic sentence and the surrounding squares are the supporting statements based on the topic. The squares are completed in a clockwise fashion with the last square containing a feeling sentence. The sentences are then recopied into a paragraph format that would look similar to this:
Fall is my favorite season. (from the center box)
I like to pick apples. (top left box)
I rake leaves in the yard. (top right box)
I drink cider and eat doughnuts. (bottom left box)
I love fall! (the feeling sentence from the last box—bottom right of page)
For older students, each box becomes a paragraph instead of a sentence. Students transition from writing simplistic sentences to bulleting general ideas to formulate details for sub-topics. The complete method includes lessons on topic development, transitional devices, writing to a variety of genres and writing conventions.
Literacy Links
ABCs of the Writing Process - Find graphic organizers that will help you with every step of the writing process.
American Folklore - Read legends and myths from all over the United States.
Author Online - Aaron Shepard's home page of stories, scripts, and more. You can search for stories on a lot of different topics.
Book Adventure - A site that will match you with books you will love. (K - 8th grade) Register for free, find books, read online and take quizzes to earn points.
Candlelight Stories - Click on "Kids" to find storybooks, games and activities. Click on "eBooks" to hear a story on your computer. You do not have to join the "Sound Story Club" to enjoy this site!
Children's Storybooks Online - Here you will find illustrated and sometimes animated stories for children and young adults.
ClassBrain.net - This site has fun games, school activities, and a "how to" section to teach you new stuff.
Enchanted Learning - You don't have to be a member to enjoy these fun activities.
Funbrain.com - This site has all levels of activities and a variety of topics.
Nickelodeon - This site features games based on your favorite Nick cartoons!
Story Jumper - You can find stories and songs to hear online or download.
Poetry 4 Kids - Fun, giggly poetry for everyone!
Jan Brett's Home Page - Find a book you like with "Hedgie's Book a Matic" and then go to the home page to find activities and coloring pages you can do with it.
Kidscribe - A bilingual site for kid authors.
Reading is Fundamental (RIF) - At this site you will find an activity zone, a list of cool books to read and a place to express yourself!
Scholastic.com - Read stories online and learn more about your favorite characters.
Seussville - Visit the Dr. Seuss playground for fun games.
Starfall.com - FREE interactive storybooks and games along with free writing journals to download.
Surf Net Kids - This is the guide to "kid-friendly" site for children of all ages.
We Read - Free online "ebooks". Turn on your speakers to hear the books read to you. Also includes coloring pages and games.
Reading Tips
Successful Readers...
Starting to Read
As your child begins to read, here are some things you can do to help.
- Point to the words as you read to your child. This will show your child that pointing is important.
- Let your child put his/her finger on top of yours and “ride” as you point to the words.
- Ask your child to point to the words while reading. Help him/her make them match.
- As your child reads, praise the following behaviors:
Reading with expression
Re-reading a sentence to make sure it makes sense or to try and figure out a new word
Fixing a mistake
- When your child gets stuck give him/her time to figure it out, don’t jump in right away. Count to five silently and slowly before offering support.
- If your child is still stuck, try saying one or more of the following:
“Go ahead and try.”
“Does that make sense?”
“Look at the picture for a clue.”
“Does that sound right to you?”
“Can we say it like that?”
“Does that look right?”
If these suggestions do not help, then tell your child the word. If there are many mistakes, or if you have to tell your child many of the words, then the book is probably too difficult.
These suggestions should help your child become a successful reader!
