1. Welcome to Back to School Night
Mrs. Kathleen Kish
Grade 5
Language Arts

2. How can I help my child be successful in Language Arts?
Check my webpage for information about homework assignments, test & quiz dates.
Make sure they have their classwork (centers) done by Friday each week.
Check Friday folders and return Monday.
Contact me when you have questions.
Sign up for “REMIND” to receive updates.

3. Language Arts Components
Reading
Guided Reading - Small instructional groups to learn & practice comprehension skills with text
Fiction – novels, short stories
Non-fiction text – informational text, articles, biographies
Whole Group
Students will read the same novel
Students will be required to read chapters for homework and answer questions during class
Vocabulary – Word Wisdom focus on usage
Weekly Vocabulary Assessment
Writing – Lucy Calkins framework & Writers Workshop
Narrative Essays
Research & Informative Essays
Research Based Argument Compositions (Opinion, Persuasive)
Literary Essay
Open Ended Responses & Journal Entries
Grammar
Spelling ( not tested in 5th grade )

4. Supplies for Language Arts
6 pocket folder or accordion folder
1 marble front composition notebook (Writing)
1 single subject notebook (Reading)
3 subject notebook (Grammar, Spelling, etc.)
Post it notes (1 pkg.)
red pens, pencils, erasers

5. Guided Reading Framework
Small group with teacher/ guided reading
When not with teacher in a reading group, students work independently to practice skills in centers (vocabulary, spelling, grammar ).
Independent center work is to be completed during reading Monday-Thursday. (Due Friday)
Unfinished independent center work should be completed at home to be turned in on Friday.
Completed centers are averaged and worth a classwork grade.

6. Reading Comprehension Skills
Story Elements
Predictions
Sequencing
Main Idea & Supporting Details
Cause & Effect
Compare & Contrast
Inference
Drawing Conclusions & Generalizations
Fact & Opinion
Summarizing
Point of View
Figurative Language

7. Vocabulary Development
Focus is for students to learn to use strategies to define words within text not just to memorize a definition. 5th grade uses the program Word Wisdom which emphasizes usage. There is a weekly vocabulary assessment on 10 weekly words which incorporates previous weeks words too. Students must use the Word Wisdom dictionary (on webpage) to complete center work and prepare for assessments. In addition, students must be able to identify the part of speech for each word as it is used in a sentence or in isolation.
Word Meaning – Context Clues
Parts of Speech
Infer Word Meanings from Roots, Suffixes, Prefixes
Vocabulary and Concept Development
Text Features
Antonyms, Synonyms, Homophones, Homographs
Decoding and Word Recognition
Dictionary and Thesaurus
Index and Glossary Use

8. Student Behavior Expectations
I will always do my best!
I will come to class prepared!
I will complete all assignments on time.
I will not use “put downs” or harass others.
I will respect other people’s differences and opinions.
I will actively listen when others are speaking.

9. Grading School Policy Major Grade Components Tests 40% Quizzes 30%
Classwork %
Homework %

10. Agendas/Website
All homework assignments, tests, and quiz dates are put on my teacher website daily as well as on the board. (click teacher webpage)
Students need to use their agendas and keep it with them throughout the day and bring it home each night.

11. http://www.westamptonschools.org Communication
(609) Ext. 1120

12. Thank You for attending Back to School Night