Welcome to Fifth Grade FIFTH GRADE ROCKS! Nancy Vallercamp, A Katy Thomas, B Melissa Azevada, B Jo Clark/Emily Page, C Eva Turner, C Sue Sutherland, D

Curriculum Reading Reading Social Studies Social Studies Math Math Writing Writing Science Science Art Art Physical Education Physical Education

Novels (Chapter Books) Novels (Chapter Books) Matilda Wrinkle in Time Edward Tulane Journey to Topaz Sounder Old Yeller Sign of the Beaver Shiloh Holes

Physical Education Testing MAY Mandated by the State of California Running, push ups, curl ups, flexibility, BMI, trunk lift

Supplies We will provide all necessary tools for learning. We will provide all necessary tools for learning. Students may bring their own binders, but school will provide a binder if needed. Students may bring their own binders, but school will provide a binder if needed.

Homework Homework Assigned Mon-Thurs evenings Assigned Mon-Thurs evenings Projects will be randomly be assigned (i.e., Social Studies) with advance notice Projects will be randomly be assigned (i.e., Social Studies) with advance notice THERE IS ALWAYS HOMEWORK THERE IS ALWAYS HOMEWORK No time in class for homework (except FASTRACK) No time in class for homework (except FASTRACK) Read 30 min a night Read 30 min a night

Communication Communication Progress reports will be sent home regularly Progress reports will be sent home regularly Random phone calls will be made home Random phone calls will be made home A school homework calendar will be provided and must be maintained BY THE STUDENT, please check your child’s calendar regularly! A school homework calendar will be provided and must be maintained BY THE STUDENT, please check your child’s calendar regularly! Occasional behavior notes (positive and ‘constructive’ in nature) will be sent home Occasional behavior notes (positive and ‘constructive’ in nature) will be sent home

We are available! We are available! Open door policy, welcome ANYTIME, come visit us! Open door policy, welcome ANYTIME, come visit us! Please call, or drop by if you have any information we should be aware of…we don’t read minds! Please call, or drop by if you have any information we should be aware of…we don’t read minds! Please keep us informed of address or phone number changes! Please keep us informed of address or phone number changes! Conferences are not possible during our instructional day. is the best form of communication, as we DO check at recess times. Conferences can then be coordinated. Conferences are not possible during our instructional day. is the best form of communication, as we DO check at recess times. Conferences can then be coordinated.

Behavior Behavior High expectations Consistency Follow-through Management systems in place: individual, group and class Inside/Outside School wide Behavior Plan enforced

ATTENDANCE ATTENDANCE School starts at 7:55 a.m! School starts at 7:55 a.m! ALL STUDENTS MUST BE ON TIME ALL STUDENTS MUST BE ON TIME If your child has an appointment during the day, please bring your child back to school! If your child has an appointment during the day, please bring your child back to school! Absences…every single day is important and your child will become frustrated if missing specific instruction Absences…every single day is important and your child will become frustrated if missing specific instruction Please call for make-up work if absence is for more than one day Please call for make-up work if absence is for more than one day Individual and class awards are given by the school for outstanding attendance Individual and class awards are given by the school for outstanding attendance

Fifth Grade Field Trips Fifth Grade Field Trips Field trips make the CONNECTION for students with the ‘real world.’ We believe that a critical part of learning is to explore our world and to reflect upon what we have learned.

California or Mercer Caverns California or Mercer Caverns Time of Remembrance and State Capitol Building Time of Remembrance and State Capitol Building B Street Theater B Street Theater Tech Museum of Innovation Tech Museum of Innovation (San Jose) (San Jose) Explorit (Davis) Explorit (Davis) Alcatraz Island Alcatraz Island STARBASE Science Program STARBASE Science Program

Cavern Exploration Cavern Exploration September and October First Field Trip!

“Explorit” Science Center “Explorit” Science Center

Alcatraz! *May and June *Final field trip

Fifth Grade Goals… Fifth Grade Goals… Prepare your child academically for the sixth grade! Reinforce the ‘independency’ introduced at the fourth grade level Promote student responsibility, although your support is crucial! Support all state and district learning standards Instill a love for learning Support our Prairie families!

Parents are Teachers Too! Various methods of reading: CLOZE ECHO PARAGRAPH, back and forth INDEPENDENT…

Questioning Techniques (easy to do while you are cooking dinner, driving in the car or doing laundry!) ASK YOUR CHILD: ASK YOUR CHILD: Main characters Main characters Setting (time AND place) Setting (time AND place) Main ideas Main ideas Personal connections to the story Personal connections to the story If factual, ask child to summarize the key points of the book, chapter or magazine If factual, ask child to summarize the key points of the book, chapter or magazine

Math is IMPORTANT! Math is IMPORTANT! KNOW YOUR MATH FACTS! KNOW YOUR MATH FACTS! Practice anywhere! Practice anywhere! PLEASE spot check math homework, all students must show their work! NO EXCEPTIONS! PLEASE spot check math homework, all students must show their work! NO EXCEPTIONS!

Our school, our philosophy… Our school, our philosophy…

Flexibility and Fun Flexibility and Fun Although we will work hard this year, we will also have a great time… Although we will work hard this year, we will also have a great time… Thank you for sending your child to us everyday! Thank you for sending your child to us everyday!

We are available for you! We are available for you! Katy Thomas, Katy Thomas, Nancy Vallercamp, Nancy Vallercamp, Melissa Azevada, Melissa Azevada, Emily Page, Emily Page, Jo Clark, Jo Clark, Eva Turner, Eva Turner, Sue Sutherland, Sue Sutherland, PRAIRIE, PRAIRIE,