Welcome to Fifth Grade!

Atoka Elementary School “Every child is a different kind of flower and all together, make this world a beautiful garden”. –Dr. Seuss

Behavior Management We will be giving out TRACK citations as our TRACK points. Each citation is equal to one TRACK point. These citations are color coded. Example: A pink citation means your child broke a hallway behavior rule These MUST be signed the night they are received. This is to ensure that you have seen that your child has received a TRACK point.

Conduct Grade Scale The conduct grade will be calculated via the T.R.A.C.K. point system. Unless we contact you by phone, , or note, your student’s conduct IS NOT a serious problem. DAILY:S = 0 points S- = 1 point N = 2 points U = 3 points 9-WEEKS: S = 0-10 points N = points U = 21+ points

Initial Agenda Book each night! They will be checked by the homeroom teacher the following day. Check binder pockets too! Please do NOT write excuse notes in agenda. Agenda

Grading Scale * A * B * C * D 69 and below F

TN Ready Beginning in the school year, TNReady will become the state’s new and improved TCAP test for English language arts and math in grades The new TNReady TCAP tests are designed to assess true student understanding and not just basic memorization and test-taking skills. TNReady will be taken online. The online test will be more engaging, and it will better match students’ individual needs. Testing will be done in two parts. The testing window for Part 1 will be February- March. The testing window for Part 2 will be April- May.

Subject: Math We have a lot to cover to prepare our students for middle school. Please encourage your student to participate fully in class and ask when they need help with new concepts!

Subject: Reading, Language Arts, & Phonics We use Easy CBM throughout the year to monitor your student’s learning. A.R. will begin after every student has been able to test on the Easy CBM. We will be taking common assessments throughout the school year. We will be taking a writing assessment in February. –Reading complex texts –Comprehending complex texts –Writing in response to texts in order to prepare students for college and career paths.

Spelling…the Atoka way! Students will be introduced to new spelling patterns each week, take part in literacy activities in which they gain more exposure to the patterns, and practice making and sorting words throughout the week. They will take a phonics quiz each week on words that use that week’s spelling patterns as well as any previously taught phonics patterns. Half of the words on the phonics quiz will be assigned at the beginning of the week; the remaining half of the words will be new pattern words and will allow the teacher to measure mastery of the phonics skill.

Social studies & science Social Studies: Covering from the Civil War to current times. There are a lot of important names, events, & dates to remember. Students will need to be able to identify & name every state in the US based off their shape & location. Science: We cover aspects of physical, earth and life science. Both subjects incorporate reading comprehension, interrupting graphs & data.

What does the research say? Parents have been very used to the weekly spelling tests that our school favored, but research shows students often memorize words for a test and then promptly forget them. Assigned spelling lists often required students to study isolated words rather than the phonics, the sounds that letters make within the words We will be using a system that does not completely abandon weekly lists, but emphasizes opportunities for students to investigate and understand the patterns in words and build word knowledge that can be applied to both reading and spelling.

Word Study vs. Traditional Spelling tests Word study provides students with opportunities to investigate and understand the patterns in words. Knowledge of these patterns means that students needn't learn to spell one word at a time. Word study is also designed to build word knowledge that can be applied to both reading and spelling (Henderson, 1992; Zutell, 1998). Because it is closely tied to reading instruction, it also develops students' abilities in phonics, word recognition, and vocabulary (Baker, 2000).

Honor Roll Honor Roll Criteria Principal’s Honor Roll– The student must make all A’s and E’s or G’s in academic subjects and S or S- in conduct. Teacher’s Honor Roll – The student must make all A’s, B’s, in academic subjects and S or S- in conduct (This includes Art, Music & PE conduct grades) Perfect Attendance- The student must be present every day with no late check ins or early check outs. End of Year (EOY) Honor Roll - The student must make Principal’s Honor Roll all of the first 3 quarters and interim of the 4th quarter to receive EOY Principal’s Honor Roll or a combination of Principal’s Honor Roll and Teacher’s Honor Roll all of the first 3 quarters and interim of the 4th quarter to receive EOY Teacher’s Honor Roll The student must make Citizenship Honor Roll all of the first 3 quarters and interim of the 4th quarter to receive EOY Citizenship Honor Roll. The student must have perfect attendance up to the EOY awards ceremony to receive EOY perfect attendance.

Dress Code Policy No flip-flops; shoes must have straps around heel No spaghetti straps No short skirts/shorts No leggings as pants

Absence Policy * policy states students with excused absences have one day per day of absence to make up work. * SEND excuse notes the day the child returns from the absence. * It is the student’s responsibility to make- up work

Projects/Study Habits Although we do encourage parent participation when completing projects, students are expected to complete the majority of the work themselves. –This includes handwriting/word choice Students are expected to complete homework as assigned. –We encourage you to build good study habits now. This will only help your child as he/she moves forward. Late homework and classwork will be completed during fun time. If it becomes habitual it will result in loss of points on the assignment.

Graded Papers The use of formative assessment in education has been proven to aid students learning by giving immediate and useful feedback. We will be sending classwork/graded papers home as they are assessed. This will give you the opportunity to go over your child’s classwork with him/her before they are tested. If you are concerned about your child hiding papers, remember you can access your child’s grades online. PLEASE KEEP GRADED PAPERS AT HOME.

Accelerated Reader AR Points will be required each nine weeks. 1 st nine weeks- 6 pts. 2 nd nine weeks- 10 pts. 3 rd nine weeks- 12 pts. 4 th nine weeks- 12 pts.

Communication We are all here for the same reason- THE CHILDREN Please use the chain of command Problems, concerns, and questions should be addressed to the teacher 1st to try to reach a resolution. If a solution can not be met, then the teacher and parent will then seek assistance from a higher authority. GOOD COMMUNICATION IS KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR!!

Teacher Contact A weekly newsletter will go home on Monday or Tuesday with updates for the coming week. Also check out our website! Aubrianna Inman: Website: Schoolrack.com/fifthgradeATES

New Tipton County Policy All visitors must be background checked before working in the school in any capacity as a volunteer. Examples include, but are not limited to, volunteers for bookfair, TCAP proctors, field day (unless just a spectator), field trip chaperones, PTO events during the school day, etc. Volunteer applications can be picked up and returned to the front office. The cost 42.00

Birthdays You may send in non-edible treats or bring ice cream from cafeteria Be aware of allergies

Medicine Do not send medicine to school with the child. You must go through the office in order for your child to take over the counter or prescribed medicine. (ie. cough drops)

We are not just going to be teaching your child the fifth grade curriculum. We will also be teaching them life skills to help transition them into middle school. Personal responsibility Problem solving Organizational skills

Volunteer Opportunities/ Wish List: Each classroom needs: Wet Wipes, Markers, Colored Copy Paper, Pencils, Cap Erasers, Cardstock, Treasure Box Items, and Wrapped Candy. Any and all classroom help is much appreciated by us and your child!

Your Turn… What questions do you have for me?