1. Welcome SENIOR Watson’s Winners!
“There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children.
One of these is roots; the other, wings.”
-- anonymous

2. Welcome SENIOR Watson’s Winners!
Open House

3. Tonight’s agenda
Overview of 5th grade curriculum and The Watson Way of doing things.
Conference sign-up (at the back table).

4. How 5th Grade works
Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading and Language Arts are all taught by Mrs. Watson.
Regular communication between the Grade Five teachers.

5. 5th Grade Themes

6. 5th Grade themes Increased responsibility More personal accountability
Higher expectations for all
We are now school leaders
We all live the “Ox Ridge Code” (S.T.A.R. program) and Model Citizenship

7. 5th Grade themes Strong study and homework habits are the goal.
Organization is crucial to success (make use of the tools you have).
“Little things mean a lot”; doing your best on even the smallest tasks.

8. The Watson’s Winners Blog! http://cwatsondps.wordpress.com/
Communication
The Watson’s Winners Blog!
Phone ( , x4674)

9. Mrs. Watson’s tips for 5th grade parents…
Encourage independence (as appropriate for your child) and try to get your child to take full ownership of his/her homework responsibilities and study habits.
It’s still perfectly appropriate to offer your child guidance, structure, feedback, general suggestions and encouragement, BUT –
Try to resist the urge to over-correct homework errors co-create projects, drive back to school for forgotten work, etc. (I know it’s hard!).
Signature does not mean you are being graded too!

10. MORE tips for 5th grade parents
Help your child with time management/scheduling.
Help your child come up with a homework routine (quiet place to work with as few distractions as possible, regular time/place for homework, etc.)
Encourage your child to communicate with teachers (social issues, extra help, finding out right away about what they’ve missed following an absence).

11. Even more tips…
Please perform (at least semi-regularly) “Backpack exams” (check out the Assignment Planner in particular).
Visit the Blog for the whole truth about class and/or homework assignments!
Due to our schedule, please try to avoid early pick-ups whenever possible.

12. Literacy Block (“Active Reading”)
THE READER’S WORKSHOP:
Read and Respond/Book Club
Reading books that are “just right” for us
Sharing thoughts with peers regularly
Making connections to the reading
Inferring meaning/drawing conclusions
Finding the Main Idea, predicting, questioning
Reading for detail/information; recalling facts
Summarizing vs. retelling
Continue strengthening overall comprehension

13. Language Arts THE WRITER’S WORKSHOP
Diverse writing genres and “Free Write” (i.e. narrative, expository, persuasive, literary, creative, poetry)
Strategies for and Traits of good writing
Organizing ideas into a writing “plan”
Elaborating, adding supporting details
Proofreading/editing a piece

14. OTHER LANGUAGE ARTS SKILLS:
Having a “Balanced Reading Diet”: read many genres, including POETRY!
Revising/improving a piece
Expressing (and supporting) your opinions
Spelling
Grammar/Punctuation/Conventions
Vocabulary

15. Math Dr. Math – “Vhat Seems to be zhe Problem?” EMPHASIS ON:
Critical Thinking Skills
Place Value and Overall Number Sense
Problem-Solving Processes
The Importance of The Check
Mathematical Communication

16. Social Studies Emphasis on study skills (some test prep)
The Roads the Led to America (European)
Explorers of the Americas
The 13 Original Colonies
The French and Indian War
The American Revolution
Intro. to the Constitution
Current Events

17. Science CONTENT: Earth and Space Systems, Sound, Light, Health
Emphasis on critical/scientific thinking skills
Experiential learning through experiments
Learning/Using the Scientific Method
Scientific Communication
Ties to other content areas and skills

18. In closing…
I’m looking forward to a terrific year with your child! Thank you for taking the time to come in tonight and joining the “Watson’s Winners” Team!
Always feel free to contact me with questions or )