Fifth Grade Information WelcomeGrading Policy What we teachSchedule Language Arts Tutoring ReadingSupplies Social Studies

Welcome to 5 th Grade 5 th grade is an exciting year full of new experiences and responsibilities. Some of the fun learning activities we have done in the past are: squid dissection lab, classification of powders lab, Port Aransas trip to study marine life habitats, Ocean Week, Culture Day / Career Day and many investigation math activities to solve problems logically.

What is taught? The following slides give you an overview of what your child is taught in each of the core academic areas at Lago Vista Elementary School.

Language Arts Language Arts encompasses grammar, writing, reading and spelling skills taught in order to prepare your child for 5th grade level and higher activities in those areas. Skills focus on decoding, vocabulary, grammar rules of writing expressive, persuasive, and entertaining.

Reading Reading 150 minutes a week Reading is almost a lost art for many of our students. We read for information to find answers to questions, and we read to comprehend a subject matter that is new to us. What I want students to do is to read for enjoyment. I require that your child read for 150 minutes (2 1/2 hours) in a 7 day period. Read a book or a magazine that they enjoy that is on their reading level. You can split this up into 30 minutes a night before bedtime, or save it all for the weekend. I just want the students to enjoy a good book. Maybe you will be able to join in a few days a week and enjoy a book together. Parents must sign their child's assignment book on Sunday evening that you have seen your child read for the 150 minutes (2 1/2 hours) in the last 7 days.

Social Studies Fifth grade Social Studies content is on American History. Our class will be learning about the events and documents that make our country strong.

Schedule : Where my homeroom goes each day Graham’s Homeroom Monday 7:30 – 7:40 Homeroom Morning Procedures 7:40 – 7:55 (Simons) Bell Work 7:55 – 8:45 Specials 8:50 – 10:00 (Simons) Science 10:00 – 11:10 (Phariss) Math 11:10 – 11:40 Recess 11:45 – 12:15 Lunch 12:15 – 12:45 (Graham) SSR / DEAR 12:45 – 2:35 (Graham) Reading, Language Arts,Social Studies 2:35 – 2:45 Homeroom Prepare for Dismissal Tuesday, Thursday 7:30 – 7:40 Homeroom Morning Procedures 7:40 – 7:55 (Simons) Bell Work 7:55 – 8:45 Specials 8:50 – 9:45 (Simons) Science 9:45 – 10:40 (Phariss) Math 10:40 – 11:10 (Simons) RtI – Science (in Phariss’s Rm) 11:10 – 11:40 Recess Study Hall 11:45 – 12:15 Lunch Lunch Duty 12:15 – 12:45 (Graham) SSR / DEAR / RtI 12:45 – 2:35 (Graham) Reading, Language Arts,Social Studies 2:35 – 2:45 Homeroom Prepare for Dismissal Wednesday, Friday 7:30 – 7:40 Homeroom Morning Procedures 7:40 – 7:55 (Simons) Bell Work 7:55 – 8:45 Specials 8:50 – 9:45 (Simons) Science 9:45 – 10:40 (Phariss) Math 10:40 – 11:10 (Phariss) RtI - Math 11:10 – 11:40 Recess Study Hall 11:45 – 12:15 Lunch Lunch Duty 12:15 – 12:45 (Graham) SSR / DEAR / RtI 12:45 – 2:35 (Graham) Reading, Language Arts,Social Studies 2:35 – 2:45 Homeroom Prepare for Dismissal Early Release / Assembly / Party Schedule 7:30 – 7:40 Homeroom Morning Procedures 7:40 – 7:55 (Graham) Bell Work 7:55 – 8:45 Specials 8:50 – 9:25 (Graham) Reading, Language Arts, Social Studies 9:25 – 10:00 (Simons) Science 10:05 – 10:40 (Phariss) Math 10:40 – 11:10 RtI – Math or Science 11:10 – 11:40 Recess Study Hall 11:45 – 12:15 Lunch 12:15 – 12:45 (Graham) SSR / DEAR / RtI 12:45 – 1:20 (Graham) Reading, Language Arts, Social Studies 1:20 – 1:30 Homeroom 1:30 – Early Dismissal 1:30 – 2:30 Assembly / Party

Tutoring Students will be placed in after school tutoring on an as needed basis. After benchmark testing, the teacher will place students in groups to work on skills that are not mastered. Once students have mastered the skills needed, they will be exited from the program. Student will be placed again in the program if or when the need arises.

Supplies A Fifth Grade supply can be found on the district website at Many supplies are taken up by the teacher and used by all students. Students will have a place for them to keep the items they are responsible for in the classroom.

A few of the things we learn during the school year.

The 5 th Grade Team The 5 th grade teachers this year are:  Teresa Graham  Tyler Simons  Shanna Tinnain  LaTasha Phariss

Our Grading Policy  The 5 th grade grading policy: All grades will be weighted equally Homework, quizzes and tests will be graded the same. However, if there is a big project we have been working on or a large unit that we have been working on, we might give that assignment a double grade. We will let you know ahead of time if an assignment or test will count twice in our grade books. Some assignments can and will be graded in more than one subject. Example: a writing paper could be given a grade for content, grammar and spelling of known words.

5 th grade is an exciting year full of new experiences and responsibilities. The following slide show will show the major topics and skills that will be taught by the 5 th grade teachers in Lago Vista during the school year.

What is taught? The following slides give you an overview of what your child is taught in each of the core academic areas at Lago Vista Elementary School.

Social Studies Exploration to America Colonial America The Road to the Revolution The Revolution that Changed the World Westward Expansion A Nation Divided Reuniting the Nation Entering the World Stage Conflict Abroad and Home The United States Today

Language Arts / Reading Speaking for a purpose Word identification Fluency Variety of texts Vocabulary development Comprehension Text structures/literary concepts Inquiry/research Cultural awareness

Language Arts / Writing Purpose of Writing Capitalization/ Punctuation Grammar usage Writing Process Writing to inquire and research Connections to writing

Fifth graders are required to take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Test this year. Each fifth graders is required to pass the reading and math STAAR test in order to be promoted to the sixth grade.

Testing Dates for 5 th grade The following dates are set by the State of Texas Board of Education.  Math- April 1, 2014  Reading – April 2, 2014  Science – April 23, 2014

Parent Tips to Prepare for Success Early in the year, review your child’s 4 th grade progress and test results with the 5 th grade teacher to determine if extra help is needed in reading or math. Reinforce what your child is learning in school by asking questions about classroom and homework assignments. Keep in contact with your child’s teacher throughout the year. If your child seems to be struggling, ask the teacher about tutoring programs or other forms of available assistance.

Parent Tips Subject Specific Reading Read and discuss a variety of materials with your child. Help your child understand the meanings of new words. Ask who, what, where, when and why questions to help your child understand the main idea, purpose and meaning of what is read. Help your child make connections between personal experience and the events and characters in a story. Ask if a story is similar to other stories and why. Work with the teacher and librarian to identify appropriate material that will interest your child.

Things We Do In 5 th Grade Fifth graders are encouraged to participate in many activities during the year. Some of these are: safety patrol, flag duty and morning announcements. Other volunteer activities include: UIL academic activities, and the Bluebonnet Reading Challenge.

More things 5 th grader will do In the past, 5 th graders have had many projects and activities that they are required to participate. Some of these are: science fair / inventor fair projects, PTA performance and reading projects.

Fun Things We Do Fifth grade is all work, but we do tend to play while we learn.

Fun Things We Do Some of the fun learning activities we have done in the past are: squid dissection lab, classification of powders lab, Port Aransas trip to study marine life habitats, Ocean Week, Culture Day / Career Day and many investigation math activities to solve problems logically.

In Conclusion * Check your child’s assignment book daily for homework assignments, upcoming tests, and projects. *Please look for weekly newsletters (in Friday Folders) from your child’s homeroom teacher about upcoming activities and projects. *Feel free to call or your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns at ext 4113 or