1. WELCOME! Our Team Meeting begins @ 6:10. Please:
Signed up for a conference with your child’s homeroom teacher. These signup sheets are found in the hallway.
Filled out the forms in the packet found right below this Smartboard. When finished, please put them in your child’s homeroom basket found underneath this Smartboard.
If you are interested in volunteering your time or supplies for upcoming school events, please see the sign up sheets (also found on outside table in the hallway). Thanks!

2. Teacher Information
Homeroom 213 – Mrs. Anabel Hopkins Teaches: Reading/Language Arts/Science Homeroom Mr. Clint Weltner Teaches: Math/Social Studies Room Mrs. Joan Widdowson Teaches: Learning Support Reading/Math

3. Middle school transition
No longer elementary students but not quite a (7/8) middle school students– in between stage.
They are transitioning academically and socially.
Our job is to challenge them to think like a (5/6) middle school student so that they are prepared for upper grades.
This is accomplished through homework, organizational skills, classroom responsibilities, and independent thinking.

4. Adjusting the Math Sequencing
Current Book Setup
Add/Subtract Fractions
Add/Subtract Decimals
Multiply/Divide Fractions
Multiplication (Whole # and Decimals)
Division (Whole # and Decimals)
Story Problems
Algebra/Patterns/Graphs
Measurement/Geometry
Adjusted Setup
Place Value/Multiply Whole #
Divide Whole Numbers
Add/Subtract Decimals
Multiply Decimals
Divide Decimals
Add/Subtract Fractions
Multiply Fractions
Divide Fractions
Patterns/Graphing
Measurement
Geometry

5. Math Class (Typical day)
Morning Work or HOT (Higher Order Thinking) warmup
Go over last night’s homework (with computer feedback forms) to diagnose errors/re-teaching
Focus Question/Big Picture (optional “Test out”)
Lesson
Independent Practice / Small groups
Additional Levels if time allows or you tested out of the lesson and finished the homework

6. Math Levels Big Picture Lesson Homework
Story Problems ( Easy/Medium/Hard)
Written Explanations ( Easy/Medium/Hard)
Independent Project
**Anything done beyond Level 3 should be attached to the homework and turned in the following day to receive extra credit.
**Levels 4 & 5 may be replaced by Cyber MyPathways after being synced through NWEA scores. (sometime in October)

7. Math Almost all homework is graded (10 points each)
Homework given Monday through Thursday
Friday is reserved for off-textbook/calculator/real world skills. No homework on Fridays.
Extra Levels are extra credit and can be worth up to 2 extra points daily. (12/10)
Level 6 should be an independent project that the you, your child and I will coordinate.
Tests at the end of every chapter (taken online) 100 points each.

8. READING = Thinking
Fostering life-long readers– not just reading words and answering questions.
Utilizing reading strategies to enhance their thinking while reading.
Promoting thorough understanding of text through their thinking.
Each student will be reading 2 books simultaneously.
Monthly Book – Independent reading of a book of their choice (120 pgs. minimum). Please encourage setting aside minutes per night.
Literature Circle Book – Group reading and discussions in class (similar to book clubs).
Reader’s Notebooks (RNB) will be used to record their thinking for their Literature Circle books.

9. Writing = expressing To be creative and have fun!
To instill an understanding of “good writing.”
To find their own voice in their writing.
Use writing traits: Idea, Organization, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Voice, and Conventions.
To write different pieces, starting with narrative.
Students will utilize their Writer’s Notebooks (WNB) to store their writing.
Writing is a personal and intimate process, and
my ultimate goal is help foster a love or joy for
writing.

10. Learning about living organisms this year– life science.
Science = Exploring
Science is about having fun with experiments, but also working hard on recording observations, writing conclusions, and analyzing data like scientists.
Learning about living organisms this year– life science.
Working closely with goldfish, brine shrimp, isopods, beetles, and plants.
Focusing on classification system, cells and cell parts, photosynthesis, and water cycle. In addition, we will also study astronomy.

11. Social Studies curriculum in 5th grade: Native Americans
North American exploration
Colonization
The Revolutionary War
Early US Government.
Various map skills as we go through the year.
In addition, we will be discussing current events. Children will be responsible for reading/researching various topics (Scholastic News/Dogonews.com/etc.) Discussions and topics will be grade-level appropriate.

12. Homework completion/accuracy (Assignments roughly once a week)
Social Studies
Grades
Homework completion/accuracy (Assignments roughly once a week)
Projects – Most units will involve in-school projects/activities. Finishing touches may need to be completed at home.
No Unit tests. A few quizzes on various topics. (I.e. continents/oceans)

13. Assignment Book Please check your child’s assignment books.
We follow a 1, 2, 3 system in which all assignments that are due the next are labeled 1 and highlighted.
All assignments that are due in a couple of days are labeled 2, and long-term assignments that are due in several days are labeled 3.
This system was designed to help students manage their work and learn to prioritize.
Please reinforce this system at home. It really works! Former students still use it and say it helps them.

14. Our Homework Policy is found in the Parent Packet.
Students and parents should utilize the homework link on our team website for reference.

15. Token system (Classroom Cash)
Behavior Management
Token system (Classroom Cash)
Students receive $2 daily
Students can receive extra money for positive behaviors Excellent answer, exemplary behavior, kindness to others, etc.
Students can lose money for typical offenses
- Shouting out, unscheduled locker visits, behavior, etc.
Typical offenses are $1 penalty
Missed homework is $3 first nine weeks, $5 for the 2nd nine weeks, $10 the rest of the year.
May be used to buy misplaced school items
- Lost a pencil, need a new packet, etc.

16. Behavior Management
Classroom Rewards
Students earn extra money
Students earn class reward
Classroom Consequences
Students lose money
Students issued a Strike.
Students fill out a Pledge Form for more serious offense. Sent home for parent signature and returned to school the next day.
Teacher contacts parent(s).
Meet with teacher and/or Mr. DiDesiderio/Mrs. Doggrell.

17. https://portal.svsd.net/
Parent Resources
SV Portal (Contact Carrie (724) , ext if it’s not working)
- online grade book
- updated weekly
- update contact information if needed
Team/Teacher Websites
- access through Seneca Valley webpage

18. Accessing your Teachers’ Websites
Type in
Go to box that says “Select a School.” Pull down and click on
“Haine Middle School.”

19. Click on “Teacher Websites.”

20. Click on either Mrs. Hopkins , Mrs. Widdowson, or Mr. Weltner

21. The links on the side of the page will give you more options
The links on the side of the page will give you more options. Homework and Internet
Links will be the ones you will use the most. Enjoy! 

22. Home – School Communication is Important!
DAILY/WEEKLY Communication
Team Website
Take Home/Homework Folders
MONTHLY Academic/Social Contact Form
Communication AS NEEDED
Notes in assignment books
Phone calls (especially for emergencies)
Parent-Teacher Conferences/IEP Meetings
Team Pledge Form communication AS NEEDED
Sent via
Home – School Communication is Important!

23. OLWEUS Seneca Valley’s District-wide Anti-Bullying Program
Anti-Bullying Rules:
We will not bully others.
We will help students who are bullied.
We will include students who are left out.
If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
Please contact Haine Middle School immediately if your child reports any
bullying incident(s) that occur during school.
school

24. Definition of Bullying
Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose does or says mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself.

25. What is the Olweus Bully Prevention Program?
District-wide program proven to reduce bullying throughout the school setting.
Emphasis on empowering students by providing them appropriate ways to intervene when they witness or experience bullying.
Goals of Olweus:
Reduce existing bullying problems at Haine.
Prevent the development of new problems at Haine.
Achieve positive peer relationship at Haine.

26. Interventions
All Staff are trained to intervene on the spot when bullying occurs. Teachers work with students during their classroom meetings and discussions to teach strategies for addressing bullying and other difficult situations they encounter.
We gather data through student surveys. These surveys help guide classroom and building lessons to support the specific needs of Haine elementary students.

27. How can parents help?
Consistent message about bullying prevention and making positive choices at school.
Empower students to speak up for themselves and report situations to adults.
Collaboratively brainstorm solutions to problem situations that students share and model appropriate responses.

28. Who Should I Contact?
Always work with the classroom teacher on any situations involving your child.
Additional Support can be provided through School Counselor, Mrs. Shipe, as well as building administration.
District Tip line (Sprigeo) to share concerns reported after school hours or on weekends. Link can also be found on main district website

29. School Events
Picture Day – September 28th Parent/Teacher Conferences – Friday, November 11th Career Day – Thursday, November 10th Fall Party – Tuesday, November 22th Cultural Day – Friday, February 24th Open House/Art Show – Tuesday, March 21st Spring Party – Friday, March 31st

30. Hey, who has a sticker on the back of their packet?
Thank you!
We look forward to a great year working with you and your child!