Welcome to Mrs. Burd’s Class Open House August 27, 2014

The Goal of 5 th Grade To prepare your child for 6 th grade. Teach the curriculum Teach and encourage good study habits and organizational skills To prepare your child for 6 th grade. Teach the curriculum Teach and encourage good study habits and organizational skills

School Hours / Office :30 am - 3:00 pm / First Bell :55 am / Class Begins :00 am / Classes Dismissed :00 pm / Office :30 am - 3:00 pm / First Bell :55 am / Class Begins :00 am / Classes Dismissed :00 pm

Important All requests for planned absences must be put in writing and given to the office two (2) weeks prior to the absence for approval by Mrs. Silig. All work for excused absences must be made up within two days upon return. All unexcused absences will result in a zero in the grade book for any missed assignment.

Homework Policy The classroom homework policy is aligned with the Griffin Elementary Discipline Plan, which states that 3 (three) or more missed assignments in one marking period equals a 3 on the report card in Homework and Following Directions. In preparation for middle school and beyond, deadlines will be strictly adhered to. The classroom homework policy is aligned with the Griffin Elementary Discipline Plan, which states that 3 (three) or more missed assignments in one marking period equals a 3 on the report card in Homework and Following Directions. In preparation for middle school and beyond, deadlines will be strictly adhered to.

What the homework in the planner will look like:  Math  Science  Social Studies  Reading  Miscellaneous  Parent Signature or Initials  Math  Science  Social Studies  Reading  Miscellaneous  Parent Signature or Initials

Class Schedule

Snack Time We do have snack time every day at 10:00. Please encourage healthy choices for snacks for your child. Suggestions are fruits, vegetables, healthy chips, granola bars, etc. Water bottles are allowed to remain on your child’s desk throughout the day. Juices, sodas, and sugary drinks are not recommended and permitted only in the cafeteria. We do have snack time every day at 10:00. Please encourage healthy choices for snacks for your child. Suggestions are fruits, vegetables, healthy chips, granola bars, etc. Water bottles are allowed to remain on your child’s desk throughout the day. Juices, sodas, and sugary drinks are not recommended and permitted only in the cafeteria.

Textbooks The State of Florida furnishes textbooks for our children. It is the responsibility of parents and children to keep the textbooks in good condition. All of our textbooks are also found online through the BEEP portal at: The State of Florida furnishes textbooks for our children. It is the responsibility of parents and children to keep the textbooks in good condition. All of our textbooks are also found online through the BEEP portal at:

Classroom Rules / The rules were designed by our students. They are posted. / Consequences are based on the situation and teacher discretion. They may include, but are not limited to a note in the planner, loss of privileges, loss of school sponsored trips, call home to parent, or a visit to the office. / The rules were designed by our students. They are posted. / Consequences are based on the situation and teacher discretion. They may include, but are not limited to a note in the planner, loss of privileges, loss of school sponsored trips, call home to parent, or a visit to the office.

ELA English Language Arts

With the Florida Standards, Reading and Language Arts are now combined into the subject of English Language Arts (ELA). ELA instruction is taught through an interdisciplinary approach using the Daily 5 as a reading block management system. With the Florida Standards, Reading and Language Arts are now combined into the subject of English Language Arts (ELA). ELA instruction is taught through an interdisciplinary approach using the Daily 5 as a reading block management system.

ELA is a tested area. Students will be tested on the new Florida State AIR Reading curriculum is based on the FL State Standards, which replaces the Common Core State Standards.

The Florida AIR Test Includes new text complexity and comprehension level. For more information and to see test sample items go to the Florida Department of Education website: On this website, you and your child can view and take the training tests at the following web address: Includes new text complexity and comprehension level. For more information and to see test sample items go to the Florida Department of Education website: On this website, you and your child can view and take the training tests at the following web address:

Science Science is an FCAT tested area. Students are expected to pass the Science FCAT with a level 2 or higher. Science curriculum is based on the NGSSS (Next Generation Sunshine State Standards). Students are tested in benchmarks from grades 3, 4, & 5. Science is an FCAT tested area. Students are expected to pass the Science FCAT with a level 2 or higher. Science curriculum is based on the NGSSS (Next Generation Sunshine State Standards). Students are tested in benchmarks from grades 3, 4, & 5.

Students materials for Science are from the Harcourt Fusion series, which is a integrated science program incorporating online lessons & labs; hands on; and the consumable textbook. Students are instructed in Science in the four Bodies of Knowledge (Nature of Science, Earth & Space, Physical Science, and Life Science). Students receive instruction in a whole group setting and with a hands on approach. Students will be expected to keep a science journal. Students materials for Science are from the Harcourt Fusion series, which is a integrated science program incorporating online lessons & labs; hands on; and the consumable textbook. Students are instructed in Science in the four Bodies of Knowledge (Nature of Science, Earth & Space, Physical Science, and Life Science). Students receive instruction in a whole group setting and with a hands on approach. Students will be expected to keep a science journal.

Science FCAT 2.0 ( was new in ) Science is a only a fifth grade tested area in elementary school. For more information and to see test sample items go to the Florida Department of Education Website. Science is a only a fifth grade tested area in elementary school. For more information and to see test sample items go to the Florida Department of Education Website.

Science Fair The science fair project has been assigned. It is due December 10 th. You will find a schedule of due dates on the acknowledgment form on your child’s desk. Please sign, detach, and leave the bottom portion. The schedule should be posted in a conspicuous place as a reminder. All science fair information is online on the Griffin Elementary website. The science fair project has been assigned. It is due December 10 th. You will find a schedule of due dates on the acknowledgment form on your child’s desk. Please sign, detach, and leave the bottom portion. The schedule should be posted in a conspicuous place as a reminder. All science fair information is online on the Griffin Elementary website.

Math Math is a tested area. Math curriculum is based on the Florida Standards, which replaces the Common Core State Standards.

Students materials for Math are from the Harcourt Go Math! Series, which includes a softcover consumable textbook and practice book. Students are instructed in the 4 Math Domains & Math Practices Math Domains: Operations & Algebraic Thinking (OA) Number & Operations-Fractions (NF) Numbers & Operations in Base Ten (NBT) Measurement & Data (MD) Geometry (G) Students receive instruction in a varied approach including whole group small group, & hands-on using 5E model. Math homework in the practice book mirrors the lesson taught in class that day.

Math A great resource that I highly recommend and use to help improve math skills is Kahn Academy & First in Math. I will be sending home a registration form in the upcoming week for Kahn Academy & Logins for First in Math. A great resource that I highly recommend and use to help improve math skills is Kahn Academy & First in Math. I will be sending home a registration form in the upcoming week for Kahn Academy & Logins for First in Math.

Communication This is a free website that will allow you to receive important reminders and updates. Please take out your cell phone and follow along to subscribe now… This is a free website that will allow you to receive important reminders and updates. Please take out your cell phone and follow along to subscribe now…

Communication The main form of communication will be in the agenda/planner book. Homework and any teacher notes will be included. Please review and sign it daily. Writing a note is the best way to reach me. We also have a class website. It is accessible from Griffin Elementary’s website. The website will be updated weekly. If you call or me, I will try to respond within a 24 hour period. The main form of communication will be in the agenda/planner book. Homework and any teacher notes will be included. Please review and sign it daily. Writing a note is the best way to reach me. We also have a class website. It is accessible from Griffin Elementary’s website. The website will be updated weekly. If you call or me, I will try to respond within a 24 hour period.

Testing Dates Benchmark Assessment Florida Assessment (BAFS I): October Benchmark Assessment Florida Assessment (BAFS II) February 2-6 *The AIR Format is computer-based for Math & ELA AIR Test ELA – April 3 AIR Math – May 8 Benchmark Assessment Florida Assessment (BAFS I): October Benchmark Assessment Florida Assessment (BAFS II) February 2-6 *The AIR Format is computer-based for Math & ELA AIR Test ELA – April 3 AIR Math – May 8

Classroom Behavior Management Our classroom behavior management plan is the same uniform plan used throughout all classrooms in Griffin Elementary. Every classroom utilizes this program. Students are able to move up and down along the behavior spectrum throughout the day. The best part is nothing is absolute. Students can think about choices and improve their day! Our classroom behavior management plan is the same uniform plan used throughout all classrooms in Griffin Elementary. Every classroom utilizes this program. Students are able to move up and down along the behavior spectrum throughout the day. The best part is nothing is absolute. Students can think about choices and improve their day!

Classroom Behavior Management In addition to notes in the planner, I also utilize a system in the planner to let you know how your child is doing academically and behaviorally on a daily basis. A indicates that your child had all assignments done, followed directions, and behaved well that day. This system is also used as a classroom rewards system as well. In addition to notes in the planner, I also utilize a system in the planner to let you know how your child is doing academically and behaviorally on a daily basis. A indicates that your child had all assignments done, followed directions, and behaved well that day. This system is also used as a classroom rewards system as well.

Field Trips We have two field trips scheduled at this time, however, others may be added (Possibly an Orlando theme park and Sparez Bowling). Biz Town – Dec. 12 th (We will need 36 parent volunteers.) *Any field trips related to clubs will be provided on Clubs link in the Griffin Elementary website.

Supplies USB drive dry erase markers and erasers post-its requested novels (TBA) Wish List individually wrapped treats index cards reams of paper Scholastic Books Donated Books

Volunteering Interested in volunteering? If you have not already done so, please make sure you register at: Interested in volunteering? If you have not already done so, please make sure you register at:

Thank you for attending Open House. Don’t forget to sign in and sign up for a conference.