Welcome! Back to School Night 2017-2018

Agenda Brief Introduction Overview of Classroom Information Daily/Weekly Schedule Curriculum Field Trips ‘Big’ Classroom Items Homework Assessments and Grading Report Cards

Classroom Information Water: I encourage students to bring a water bottle from home. They must contain water only. Snack: We have snack every day at 11:00. Please send healthy snack; protein is brain food! Birthdays: We will celebrate birthdays with a special birthday pencil, bracelet, and song. For students that have birthdays in June/July we will celebrate half birthdays in December/January. Parties: Room Parents will organize our Halloween, Holiday, and Valentine’s parties.

Daily Flexible Schedule 8:45-9:00 Opening (Attendance, Warm-up, flag salute and song) 9:00-11:00 Language Arts/Writing 11:00-11:10 Snack 11:10-11:25 Recess 11:25-1:00 Math 1:00-1:40 Lunch/Recess 1:40-2:00 Silent Reading 2:00-3:00 Science/Social Studies 3:00 Dismissal PE: every Monday and Wednesday morning. Music: Thursday mornings Library: every other Tuesday Art: every other Friday Computer Lab: Thursday/Friday Electives: Thursday 4x a Trimester

Classroom Curriculum Benchmark Advance by Benchmark Education Company READING/LANGUAGE ARTS: Benchmark Advance by Benchmark Education Company For Writing we use Step Up to Writing, monthly writing topics, and journals. 5th graders will be working on an essay format. Cursive: review the 1st trimester. All work must be completed in cursive for the 2nd and 3rd trimester. *Newsela: online resource

Classroom Curriculum GO MATH by Houghton-Mifflin TenMarks and Reflex Math online Math rotations where curriculum will be enhanced and supplemented with hands- on activities.

Classroom Curriculum Science: STEMScopes: an online Science program with videos and hands-on activities. STEMscopes meets the NGSS and utilizes experiences and supplies generously donated by you!

Classroom Curriculum Social Studies: Scott Foresman GLAD: an integrated approach to teaching Science and Social Studies. Social Studies will be taught thematically and with Project-Based learning. Each unit will last about four-six weeks. Our units will include (but are not limited to): Early Americans The Age of Exploration Colonies The American Revolution Westward Expansion

Classroom Curriculum Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Arts Attack twice a month Music with Mrs. Reimer Play Performance

Total Estimated Donation cost per student: $100-$125 Field Trips Field Trips are a fun and engaging way to support our Social Studies and Science curriculum. Voyage of the Explorers (Oct) $45 Challenger: Mission to Mars (Spring) $45 State Capital (TBD) Sons of the American Revolution No Cost Discovery Museum visiting field trip: Kitchen Chemistry No Cost Pool Party at CSD (May) $10-$20 Total Estimated Donation cost per student: $100-$125

Weekly Homework 5th graders will have nightly homework Monday-Thursday. It is my belief that the ‘challenge’ of academics should take place in the classroom. The purpose of homework is for practice and review, and should not exceed an hour each night. In addition, I understand many students are involved in extracurricular activities and I want to encourage that. There will be no homework on weekends.

Weekly Homework Reading: 20+ minutes each night Math: Math will come home each Friday. It is organized into four nightly columns and combines review of taught concepts and some new material. The Monday and Tuesday column will be checked on Wednesday. The Wednesday and Thursday column will be checked on Friday. Language Arts: nightly review and practice of Language Arts skills including spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. Science/Social Studies: as needed Any work not completed in class may also be sent home to finish. Students are given plenty of time to complete work and will learn to use their time wisely.

Technology We will use technology to expand our knowledge, enrich and extend curriculum, and prepare students for the 21st century. Clever-accessible through the Jackson website. Google Apps For Education-accessible through the Jackson website. Chromebooks Google Classroom Students will also go to the Computer Lab once a week.

Assessments Assessment dates will always be announced before hand. Please note that end of Math chapter and Language Arts units (when possible) are completed prior to going on breaks, so missing the Thursday or Friday before a break may result in your child missing a graded assessment!

Assessments Language Arts-There will be an assessment at the end of each unit, which is every third (ish) week. These assessments cover the comprehension skills taught for that unit along with spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. Math-There will be a chapter assessment at the end of every chapter. Math-weekly five point quizzes on homework. Science and Social Studies-end of unit assessments. There will also be end-of trimester district assessments for each trimester assessing student progress.

Report Cards Report cards are based on the CA State Standards and will be handed out at 1st Trimester Conferences. They will be available through Aeries for the 2nd and 3rd Trimester. Students are assessed/graded on class work, homework, assessments, projects, and participation. CAASPP Assessments-Spring 2018 Attitude and effort will have a significant impact on your child’s success!!! Grades are not given . . . they’re earned.

5th Grade No Name/Late Policy Any late or missing work may be turned in within a week of the due date for up to 75% credit. Work turned in after a week is still encouraged to ensure understanding of the skill and assignment, but will receive a 0. Students and parents are encouraged to monitor Jupiter Ed to make sure they are not missing any assignments.

Communication Webpage Remind: f82hee Please contact me with messages, questions, or concerns rather than sending a verbal message with students. Although they mean well messages often become lost in translation! The best way to communicate with me is by email: aoliver@my.rescueusd.org

Thank You For Coming! Forms to turn in: PTO Connection Parent Survey Parent Volunteer Form PE Form Room Parents Donations! Any questions?