Welcome to our classroom

Independence Technology Different teaching styles Preparation for HJHS Curricular changes

Classroom Website at Midterm Progress Reports or more frequently, if requested Parent/Teacher Conferences

Filled out everyday in study hall (1:15pm-1:30pm) Homework listed on agenda board Responsibility of student to fill out

** Comes home nightly Contains Agenda Backpacks may be left at school for days when textbooks are needed Folders for Social Studies and Science Noteboook paper and pencil

5 th Grade STAR student recess monthly Quarterly STAR reward End of year STAR reward No more than 3 S.S./quarter to qualify

We use a 10 point scale A= B=80-90 C=70-80 D=60-70 F= 59 and below Not all papers are graded, but all are used to drive instruction

Written in agenda DAILY Monday – Thursdays Studying for tests Reading at home- encouraged, but not required. No AR program for 5 th grade this year. Students are responsible for turning in homework in the morning. Incomplete or missing assignments will result in supervised study.

Mrs. McBrain teaches science to both classes We will focus on Next Generation Science Standards More scientific process skills and lab activities. Topics include- plants, energy cycles, matter, gravity, stars, atmosphere, engineering. 5 th grade will be tested in science this year (PARCC) Mrs. Tester teaches social studies to both classes. State of Illinois is adopting new social studies standards. Class everyday Science Social Studies

Reading Strategy based No weekly comprehension tests Short stories and novels Monthly fluency grade Spelling (part of new ELA grade) Sitton Spelling No weekly lists Encourages lifelong spelling habits Focuses on phonetic skills Practice pages will be sent home the Friday before, but completion is optional Language/Writing (part of new ELA grade) Common Core aligned Weekly writing assignments, but length will vary Typing skills will be incorporated into the writing curriculum ELA

EngageNY Math Common Core goals include Learn more about less (fewer topics, deeper understanding) Builds from year to year Focuses on developing an understanding, not memorization Use math in real-world situations Organized into modules, topics, lessons Daily homework or exit tickets (problem set aligns to homework and will be completed in class) Weekly quizzes (weighted at 1.5) Mid module and end of module assessments (weighted at 2) Daily lessons include Fluency Application problem Concept development Problem solving set Exit ticket Resources Visit classroom webpage- helpful resources for videos, problem sets, and home activities Tips to be sent home at the beginning of each module

Common Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards are assessed this year with PARCC testing. This year testing will occur in one testing block, most likely sometime in April.

School begins at 8:15am. We begin math at 8:15am. Make-up work will be sent up in the afternoons or when student returns. Not all work can be made up due to technology. Absences

Birthday Treats Snacks (peanut free, please ) Field Trips Giving Tree in hallway

Unity I dreamed I stood in a studio and watched the sculptors there. The clay they used was a young child's mind, and they fashioned it with care. One was a teacher; the tools he used were books, and music, and art. One, a parent with a guiding hand, and a gentle, loving heart. Day after day the teacher toiled, with touch that was deft and sure, While the parents labored by his side and polished and smoothed it o'er. And when at last their task was done, they were proud of what they had wrought. For this thing they had molded in the child could neither be sold nor bought. And each agreed he would have failed if he had worked alone, For behind the parent stood the school and behind the teacher, the home. --Author Unknown-