Mrs. Epstein’s Fifth Grade Welcome to the Investigator Room

What is a Investigator? Fifth graders, in our class, are expected to give 110% to their work in and out of class. Thus, if they cannot find an answer the first time, they are to modify their strategy until they are successful. Investigative strategies will be shared in class verbally and in written form. A variety of strategies will be taught throughout the school year in all subjects. Investigators will to continue to be “life-long learners”.

The best way to contact Mrs. Epstein… Please call Mrs. Epstein if there is an emergency, parents are leaving town, and/or there is a change in family dynamic. Cell Phone: Please Mrs. Epstein for questions about homework, to inform the her what you are bringing for parties, and/or to ask questions about up- coming events. Please see Mrs. Epstein on Fridays prior to the start of school. She is available as early as 7:45 AM. We have an open door policy, so please feel free to visit during the day, too. Please check in with our fabulous office staff prior to visiting our class.

The Investigator Website Please add the Investigator Website to your “favorites” on your computer: This website has a plethora of websites and information regarding our class.

Fifth Grade Planner Expectations…  Each Investigator has been given a Planner compliments of our PTO.  Each student is to have his/her Planner daily to write down his/her homework and important notes.  They will be checked daily.  Parents/Guardians must sign it daily.  Please check to see if your child has checked off the homework as he/she has completed it.  If your child does not have his/her Planner, he/she will write his/her homework on separate piece of paper and then staple it into the Planner.  If your child does not have his/her Planner for three days in a row, Mrs. Epstein will call and/or you to investigate further.  Replacement Planners cost $5.

CHAMPS Our school wide positive behavior management is the nationally recognized program called CHAMPS. CHAMPS will be used in our class daily. Investigators will know the expectations of each lesson to ensure the optimal learning experience. Conversation Can the students talk to each other during this activity? Help How do students get the teachers’ attention or get their questions answered? Activity What is the task/objective? What is this finished product? Movement Can students move about during the activity? If so, where? Participation How do students show they are fully participating? What does work behavior look and sound like? Success When students meet the CHAMPS expectations they will be successful!

Homework Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday. Homework will always be written on the white board. It will consist of the following: 30 minutes of reading (please make sure it is a novel that is grade appropriate). Please refer to the attached list for more information math problems and/or studying for an assessment (This will cover what we have learned in class that day, and it may cover objectives we have covered in the past.) One Vocabulary Assignment Great American Award studying *Homework should not exceed one hour. (This does not include the reading expectation of 30 minutes or any on-going projects.) If the homework does exceed one hour please have your child Mrs. Epstein. Please check your child’s homework for completion. If you believe they have completed work incorrectly, please explain to him/her that he/she has some wrong. Please do not correct your child’s homework. We will go over it in class daily. *Investigators will write their name and the date on the upper right hand side of his/her paper.

Project Expectations… Projects are an important part of your child’s education. They enrich what has been taught in class as well teach the children responsibility, organization, and analytical thinking. Students will be expected to use Microsoft (or a similar program) and/or the internet. Your child is to do this work by themselves. Please just assist him/her if there are technical difficulties. Projects will be assigned monthly. Your child will be given a rubric to follow as they complete the project. Mrs. Epstein will also check for completion throughout the assignment.

The Great American Award…  The Great American Award is a fifth grade award that can be earned by any dedicated student.  The expectations and due date for the award are listed in your child’s Planner.  Your child should be working on the expectations daily.  Students will be able to “test” on Fridays and/or when parent helpers are available.  Students who earn the award will be recognized on our Great American board and during Fifth Grade Celebration with a plaque.

Daily Assignment Expectations  Investigators will begin each assignment with the following on the upper right hand side of the their papers:  First and Last Name  Complete Date (Month, Day, and Year)  Assignment or Objective (Please write what is modeled on the board. All work is to be completed neatly. All assignments (except math) will be completed in cursive.

Specialists’ Schedule Please remind your child to wear athletic shoes on PE days. Please remember we do have first hour specials. Thus, it is extremely important your child is at school on time. If your child is late, please have him/her check in with the office and then proceed directly to the correct special.

Investigator Economy Part 1 Investigators earn money the following ways: *$1 per homework assignment. *$5 per day for excellent daily behavior. *$25 achieving Great American Status

Investigator Economy Part 2 Investigators will pay for the following events and/or supplies: *$2 per missing homework assignment *$10 per week for messy desk. *$10 per Investigator Ticket Investigators will be able to purchase a variety of items each month from Mrs. Epstein.

Homework Violations  Students who don’t complete their homework to Mrs. Epstein’s expectations (ie: writing in complete sentences, showing his/her work, completing all of the problems, etc.) will complete a “Homework Violation Form”.  The completed form will be given to Mrs. Epstein at the beginning of class.  Then the form will be given back to the student. The student is to give it to his/her parent to sign.  Then the student is to return the signed form and the homework the following day.  Failure to return the form and the late homework will result in a fine of $10.  Parents should not bring their child’s homework to school. Bringing your child’s homework doesn’t promote responsibility.

Class Constitution Violations  The Investigators have written a Class Constitution that has been signed by each student.  If a student chooses to violate any law that is outlined in the constitution, he/she will earn a warning.  If a student chooses to violate any law a second time, in one day, he/she will earn a second warning.  If a student chooses to violate any law a third time, in one day, he/she will complete a “Investigator Ticket”.  The “Investigator Ticket” will be sent home the day of the violation. Parents/Guardians are to review the “ticket” and then sign it.  The student is responsible for returning it the next day or the next available day if it is a weekend.  Failure to return the “ticket” will result in a fine of $15.

Parent Volunteers Parents/Guardian helpers are an important part to our learning environment. If you would like to make copies, “test” students for The Great American Award, or assist with parties/events, please sign-up on the Parent/Guardian Helper Form.

Investigator Marbles It is imperative we work as a team to ensure our class is successful. Each time the Investigators earn positive points from the Specialists, they complete team work efficiently, and/or they support each other, they will earn 3 marbles. Once the marble jar is full, the Investigators will earn a variety of incentives.

Earning Mechanical Pencils  Please save all Box Tops that are found on a variety of products. Each time your child brings in 10 Box Tops, he or she will earn a mechanical pencil.  Each time a student completes two reading logs, he/she earns a mechanical pencil.