Welcome to Curriculum Night 5 th Grade, Lorene Rogers Middle School Learning Community 2 Amy Goertemiller, English & Language Arts Melissa Arrington, Mathematics Chelsea Cunningham, Science Cris Sandt, Social Studies

Course Map Roadmap of content covered, estimated timeline for each course and how course is vertically aligned. Units of Study: Writing Focus Narrative, Persuasive, Expository Genre Focus: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry Literary Elements Across Genres Grammar /Vocabulary

Reading/Language Arts The Balanced Literacy approach engages children in a variety of reading and writing experiences that model powerful examples of effective literacy practices using fiction, and nonfiction, informational, persuasive, prose, drama, and media texts. Children learn in a supportive environment where lessons are designed with appropriate scaffolding to meet the needs of all. A gradual and anticipated release of responsibility from teacher to student moves learners along a planned continuum on their journey toward independence. All content taught can be found at just click on the grade level and subject matter to find all of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Reading/Writing Instructional Approach… The elements of a Balanced Literacy approach are as follows: Read Aloud Shared Reading Guided Reading Independent Reading Word Work/Vocabulary Shared Writing Interactive Writing Writing Workshop Independent Writing

READING Shared Reading: Teacher and students read text together Demonstrates awareness of text Develops sense of story or content Promotes reading strategies Develops fluency and phrasing Increases comprehension Encourages politeness and respect Reading Aloud: Teacher or other student reads selection aloud to students Provides adult model of fluent reading Develops sense of story/text Develops vocabulary Encourages prediction Builds a community of readers Develops active listening Independent Reading: Students read independently Encourages strategic reading Increases comprehension Supports writing development Extends experiences with a variety of written texts Promotes reading for enjoyment and information Develops fluency Fosters self-confidence by reading familiar and new text Provides opportunities to use mistakes as learning opportunities

Writing Modeled/Shared Writing: Teacher and students collaborate to write text; teacher acts as scribe Develops writing strategies Supports reading development Provides model for a variety of writing styles Produces text that students can read independently Necessitates communicating in a clear and specific manner Interactive Writing: Teacher and students compose together using a "shared pen" technique in which students do some of the writing Provides opportunities to plan and construct texts Increases spelling knowledge Produces written language resources in the classroom Creates opportunities to apply what has been learned Independent Writing: Students write independently Strengthens text sequence Develops understanding of multiple uses of writing Supports reading development Develops writing strategies Develops active independence

40 Book Challenge THE EXPECTATIONS  Poetry anthologies/novel: 3  Traditional Literature: 2  Realistic Fiction: 5  Historical Fiction: 3  Fantasy: 3  Science Fiction: 2  Mystery: 2  Informational: 3  Biographies, Autobiographies, Memoirs: 3  Personal-choice chapter books: 14

SOMETHING IMPORTANT ABOUT YOUR 40 BOOK CHALLENGE  Any book you read that is more than 200 pages long will count as TWO books and more than 500 pages long will count as THREE books.  Students will be assessed through various conferences and reflections that demonstrate an understanding of their chosen books.  We want to give the students choice and give them ownership of how they demonstrate that understanding.

Reading/Language Arts Assessments Gradebook- 60%- tests, projects, long term assignments 40%- quizzes, daily assignments Unit Tests MAP testing STAAR Other formative assessments-observations, conferencing, group work and interaction

ELAR HOMEWORK Please have your kiddo read at least minutes every night! Students are encouraged to study the week’s word focus material when assigned. Additional homework will be assigned according to current concepts.

Extensions and Challenges in our Learning Community Differentiation Small group instruction Pre-assessment Formative assessment Data to drive instructional decisions

Intervention/Tutoring Small group instruction Data to drive instruction – MAP, Fountas and Pinell Benchmark Assessment, TPRI, curriculum based assessments, etc. Regular Tutoring will begin in October

Communication is the Key

ELAR Communication - provides the quickest response Phone calls- please leave a message with call back information School Wires Class Sites- check for resource updates, which may include word work, homework, printable resources, quiz/test dates, etc… Skyward Message Center- weekly announcements will be sent by Monday

Our Contact Information Amy Goertemiller, ELAR , extension Melissa Arrington, MATH , extension Chelsea Cunningham, SCIENCE , extension Cris Sandt, SOCIAL STUDIES , extension

“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.” ~Clay P. Bedford