Y e e - H a w ! Are you ready for the Round Up?

Our goal is for students to be able to articulate high levels of thinking in purposeful conversations and critical writing.

Grit To keep going towards the goal, even when it’s hard!

Being a Title I school means receiving federal funding (Title I dollars) to supplement the school’s existing programs. These dollars are used for… Identifying students experiencing academic difficulties and providing timely assistance to help these student’s meet the State’s challenging content standards Purchasing supplemental staff/programs/materials/supplies Conducting parental Involvement meetings/trainings/activities Recruiting/Hiring/Retaining Highly Qualified Teachers Being a Title I school also includes parental involvement and recognizing parents’ rights. What does it mean to be a Title I School?

ATTENDANCE  Excellent attendance is strongly encouraged. The state of Texas requires 90% of days present. The snapshot time is 9:30 am. when attendance is turned in so please make every effort to have your child at school at that time.  Whenever your child must be absent, please call the school office to report the absence at (817) or  Students may enter the building at 7:15 each morning. School begins at 7:45.

Morning Meetings The first 10 minutes of the day! Building a classroom culture of honesty, tolerance, and trust.

Nature of Science – analyzing data, charts/graphs, measurement, inquiry Four core areas are: Physical Science – energy, forces, matter

Earth Science – weathering, erosion, weather/climate, space, natural resources, fossil fuels, alternative energy Life Science – adaptations, inherited vs learned traits, life cycles, photosynthesis

What to expect: Note taking – Keep notebook in binder at all times Quizzes every two weeks (check netschool for questions) Homework is work not finished in class STAAR exam – info from grades 2-5

Some students attach a balloon to a straw and then tape the straw to the top of a toy car. The students inflate the balloon and release the car. The car travels 40 centimeters across the floor. What should the students do to determine whether the force of the air from a balloon is enough to push the car 40 centimeters across the same floor in repeated trials? A Test the car several times using an identical balloon filled with different amounts of air B Test the car several times using different-sized balloons filled with the same amount of air C Test the car several times using an identical balloon filled with the same amount of air D Test the car several times using different-sized balloons filled with different amounts of air

 Math Workshop Opening/Mini Lesson (10-15 minutes) Work Period (30-40 minutes) Closing (5-10 minutes)  Big Topics: fractions, division, factors  Check netschool for examples and videos as we learn them in class

Sample STAAR Problem Mrs. Evans wants to buy enough dog food to feed her dog for 90 days. Her dog eats 4 ounces of dog food twice a day. How many pounds of dog food should she buy? A 15 lb B 45 lb C 23 lb D 12 lb

LA / SS Readers Workshop Opening/Mini Lesson (10-15 minutes) Work Period (30-40 minutes) Closing (5-10 minutes) Writers Workshop Opening Lesson (5-10 minutes) Work Period (30-40 minutes) Closing/Author’s Chair (5-10 minutes)

Reading Round-Up Kindergarten through 2 nd grade: Read 100 minutes per week for a total of 600 minutes per 6-weeks. Third Grade through 5 th grade: Read 25 “Just Right” Books by the End of Year Check-points will be announced and a school-wide celebration at the mid-way point and at the end of the year for students who have reached their goals. Watch your child’s Tuesday folder for more information coming soon.

Sample STAAR Problem Based on information in his letter, Paul would most likely agree with which of these statements? A Neighborhood libraries need more variety in the video games they have for students to use. B Young people have the responsibility to keep video games from interfering with their schoolwork. C The skills that students need to succeed in school are best learned on computers. D Young people should not be allowed to play video games unless an adult is available to supervise them.

Reading promotes comprehension, vocabulary, conventional spelling, a sense of grammar, writing competency, and a positive attitude toward the written word. ~Routman 2000, 44 Reading at home is the most important thing you can do to help your child be successful in school. Children who read at least 20 minutes per day encounter more than 1,000,000 words per year! Reading at Home

Homework The new suggestions will be….. Reading ~ minutes of reading per night, depending upon age Math ~ short, weekly problem solving assignments due Fridays * Differentiated homework will be given as needed to fill gaps and reinforce skills. Your child spends 7 hours a day at school. Recent research shows a flat or negative effect size on traditional homework for elementary- age students.

Grading Formative = 40% of student’s grade Summative = 60% of student’s grade In Math and Language Arts, students will have at least 3 summative and 5 formative per grading period. In Science and Social Studies will have at least 3 summative and 3 formative per grading period.

Grading continued Students who have ALL work turned in by Friday, will earn Fab Friday. Make up work: it is the responsibility of the student to check for work they missed and complete this work in the allotted time Re-Takes: students who do not perform well on a summative assessment will be given the opportunity for remediation and reassessment, at which time, both grades will be averaged to create a new grade. *Corrections may be made to formative assignments below a 70. For complete guidelines see NISD website: nisdtx.orgnisdtx.org

Math ~ April 1 st Second Admin. ~ May 13 th Reading ~ April 2 nd Second Admin. ~ May 14 th Science ~ April 23 rd

Restroom Quiet, “No Talking Zone” Clean up after yourself Wash your hands Be timely, return to class Four Star Behavior Hallway Hands down, showing self- control Quiet, others are learning Walking feet Facing forward Cafeteria Stay seated, knees under the table “No Talking Zone” on the brown tiles Use your inside voice Clean up your area

Kick it up cards Positive Referral Fab Friday Red Shirt Days One warning Infraction Sheet – sit out 10 min. of recess 3 Infraction Sheets = Office Referral

Always check with your child’s teacher for food allergy issues before bringing in treats! There are several students in the grade level with allergies this year. School-Wide Parties:  Christmas Celebration  Valentine’s Day  End of the year party  Birthdays:  celebrated at 2:30pm  store-bought or homemade goodies!  individual servings cookies cupcakes fruit roll-ups

The 5 th Grade team communicates with parents through: Planners – Please check and sign DAILY Group s (If you didn’t sign up for group s on the Parent Communication form in the first Tuesday folders please let us know if you would like to receive them.) Individual s & phone calls (If you leave a message we will contact you within 24 hours.) Parent conferences – Oct. 8 nd, 10th and 11 th Conference Period 10:05 – 11:00

How can parents help students?  Teacher websites – You will find useful information such as notes, examples, calendar of events, schedules, links, etc.  Netschool – Lists week by week activities and notes. Helpful for absences!

Field Trip Traditions Kindergartenapple orchard, walking tour of Justin, Ft. Worth Zoo First Grade Casa Manana Children’s Theatre & Elm Fork Nature Center Second GradeFt. Worth Museum of Science and History & Will Rogers Theatre Third Grade Elm Fork Nature Center & The Nutcracker at Bass Hall Fourth GradeTexas play in Ft. Worth National Cowgirl Museum & OLC Fifth Grade OLC (3 times) Best Christmas Pageant Ever (play) Ross Perot Museum (extended day) Most venues only allow 1 or 2 parents. We will draw names if there are multiple parents wanting to attend. The cost for admission & bus range from $7-10.

Each grade-level has a significant unit of study that marks a milestone on students’ journey through elementary school. Kindergarten ~ Reading Cafe First Grade ~ Animal Kingdom Research Projects Second Grade ~ Reader’s Theatre Showcase Third Grade ~ Living Statue Museum Fourth Grade ~ Poetry Slam Fifth Grade ~ Wind Turbine project These Milestone Experiences are also opportunities for students to practice performance skills, presenting their learning in front of a live audience. Parents and the community will be invited.

Fundraising at Justin Elementary Fall 2013 PTA Traditional catalog sale with cookie dough, magazines, and gift wrap. The goal is to raise funds for…. -Red Ribbon assembly -Watch D.O.G. -“Fall Fest” to have free or reduced admission -Supper with Santa -Mr. Blue Shoes assembly -Inflatables for Field Day Spring 2014 School Boosterthon for character development and pledges to support the activity fund. -Classroom magazines -Reading incentives -Field trips support -Special programs -Dog tags -Book Club books

Kelli Escamilla (M/Sci) Erika Oster (M/Sci) Brandi Wheeler (LA/SS) Barbi Longbrake (LA/SS)

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