Welcome to CURRICULUM NIGHT 2015

Welcome to Room 2006!  Wow, we have had an amazing start to a significant school year! First, here is a little bit about myself…  My Interests: exercising, reading, coaching, cooking (and eating!), The White Sox, UNC Tar Heels, sports, teaching, and most of all – learning  My wife is a teacher… …of fifth grade… …in this district!!  Our beautiful boy, Wesley, is already 2 years old… …and he’ll be a big brother in just a few weeks!!

Mathematics  Common Core alignment & TenMarks.com  Focused assignments and study guide for each unit  Students will be accommodated or given challenge work as a result  Mastery assessments (Exit Quizzes) along the way  Connection to “real world” concepts and examples math facts  Trying to perfect our basic math facts  Topics we will cover this year:  number theory, estimation and computation, geometry, division, fractions, decimals, percents, addition and subtraction of fractions, exponents, negative numbers, area, volume, capacity, probability

Language Arts & Reading  6 Writing Traits writing process (ideas, organization, voice, sentence fluency, word choice, conventions)  Expository, persuasive, and narrative writing pieces  Typically as part of our end-of-unit reflection week  New reading curriculum, focusing on integrating topics and subject areas, along with skill-based mini lessons  Expanding vocabulary, increasing reading fluency/overall comprehension, and using reading as a tool for writing  Leveled novel studies – typically with a true focus on nonfiction text

Spelling and Vocabulary Words On The Vine  Weekly-created lists based on Words On The Vine  10 words/2 weeks  Greek or Latin roots  Vocabulary contract  Students will have in-class time every day, but can also take home for extra help  Quiz on 2 nd Friday (20 pts), with front and back of work page due, also on 2 nd Friday (10 pts for that…so 30 pts total)  Students can begin looking up definitions the first day! The overall purpose is for an understanding of how to use these words in a sentence – not just memorize definitions.

Social Studies  An integrated focus with each unit, using small reading groups to study related nonfiction text  Topics covered this year, in order:  Native Americans  Exploration and American settlement  Thirteen colonies  Revolutionary War  Constitution Critical thinking is a must!!  We will take a problem/project-based approach to our historical learning this year!!! Critical thinking is a must!!

Science  Similar integrated system as with our Social Studies time  Topics covered this year, in order:  Animal Classification  Ecosystems  Plants  Science Fair…Mid-April  Solar System  For every fact found, there should be at least two more questions/fascinations to be had! Again, critical thinking is a must this year!!

Homework  Students are expected to turn in their homework the day it is due  Written on monthly and weekly calendar  Recess time can be used, but I would rather avoid that (they’re kids, they need that run-around time each day!!!)  Parent note or for late work/early homework if needed  “Remind” texts from me as well as their assignment notebook

Expectations Expectations “Don’t talk while someone else is.”  Only ONE rule: “Don’t talk while someone else is.”  The higher they are set, the higher the level of achievement.  What should be done, and not what shouldn’t be done  Student centered and created  Stay posted all year, with frequent reminders  Yorkville School District policies (review expectations in student handbook)  Open door policy/safe environment

Staying Updated!!  Class website – home page and subject areas   “Remind” app/texts  Text to (517)  Assignment notebook  Filled out and stamped every day – write notes back if needed  Calendar on class website homepage  Bottom of the homepage, updated all throughout the year!!!  My contact information  Phone: (630) , ext. 3426

Thank You!