My name is Carla Costanzo and I’m delighted to be working with your children! This is my first year at ICCA and it has been a great welcome back to teaching in the Diocese. I have a back ground in elementary school. Originally, I began in the city public schools, DOE and I taught various grades from third, sixth, science and co taught fourth and fifth grade social studies and ELA. I took a break in between to pursue a Masters to teach ELL or English language learners. I have a love for languages and I speak Spanish, Italian and some French.
In my free time I teach and attend yoga, Zumba and dance classes. I’ve traveled to Egypt to study yoga and I studied Spanish in Spain. As you can see Multiculturalism is a huge interest which I incorporate into my lessons. And I am an advocate of a positive and healthy lifestyle. Which I try to instill into the students also.
We begin with Religion most days We Believe workbook where they learn about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I mix this teaching into real life so they see and feel it in the real world. I believe it is good to have love, joy and compassion for oneself and others.
Next is Reading and Writing with the Superkids books. Which is a phonics-based English language arts curriculum ICCA uses for K-2. This was carefully chosen to help students build their reading fluency for independent reading and it helps build reading fluency. We also have a read aloud chapter book featuring the Superkids characters. Which creates discussions to promote comprehension. This creates a lifelong love of reading.
In addition to our daily Superkids phonics instruction, the students are discovering different formats of writing. Such as: letters to our favorite author, postcards, how to s, short stories, poems, informational texts, book reviews, point of view, opinion and main idea. The focus is to expand their writing with details and creative description.
The students enjoy reading from the class library that are carefully picked and rotated so that all students may participate. Students may work independently and together on projects to build comprehension skills and share what they have learned.
In social studies we are learning about communities big and small. Current and major events in the world, country and locally. Civic values, geography and government are also key topics we will be covering.
In science we are using The Fusion workbook which explores our Earth by studying plants, animals, habitats, ecosystems, weather patterns, climate and the solar system. All by using the scientific method, tools and experiments.
We are using HMH Into Math program for second grade. During this year we will begin with addition and subtraction facts before moving into data, place value, money, time,3 digit addition and subtraction, measuring and shapes. We begin our math lessons together, working to solve math problems with certain strategies and steps. We will then transition to independent work, and group work at the math center.
This is a big year for your children in religion! They are making their First Communion and First Reconciliation! I am honored to help assist your children prepare for such important occasions.
I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you throughout the year.
