1. Welcome

2. From the District
Fifth Grade is an important year for fostering independence and increasing responsibility. It is a year of climbing complexity as the children move from being elementary to middle school students.
We expect a significant amount of growth from our fifth graders as they prepare to leave us and move on to the middle school.
To accomplish the goals of independence and responsibility, students should use their assignment books to communicate effectively between home and school.
Responsibility is the key to success as fifth graders learn math, science, social studies, and language arts with an emphasis on demonstrating, applying, and analyzing learned skills and information. Time and attention are given to ensure that important life skills and academics are intact as fifth graders become middle school students.

3. From the Office
Please remember the front doors are open before 8:00 for SACC only.
If you need to drop off before 8:00, you will need to make arrangements with SACC. (It’s a matter of safety as we don’t have direct supervision before 8:00.)
Also, if students are dropped off late, parents need to come in and sign students in at the office.
Please consider attending the Homecoming Parade on October 9th at 3:30 pm. We want to have a good Webber turn-out! 
Thanks
The Webber Office

4. Tonight’s Agenda Curriculum *Word Study *Math *Science/Social Studies
*Reader’s Workshop
*Writer’s Workshop
*Monday Folders
*Late Work Policy (Missing or No Name Work)
*Planners
*On-Track Time
*Newsletters
*Conferences – Sign up and format
*Grading Policies
*Birthday Treats

5. Curriculum
An overview of the Lake Orion Curriculum Standards as well as the Student/Parent Handbook may be found online at
You can also request a hard copy of the curriculum by ing me your request.
Note the report card standards below:
SCALE: 4 – Met Standard
3 – Consistent progress toward standard
2 - Inconsistent progress toward standard
1 – Area of concern

6. Word Study
We use Words Their Way to teach children how to compose and decompose words so they will be able to decode words while reading and writing. This program may or may not have weekly tests to see the progress a student has made with a certain word pattern.

7. Math
Math Facts
Students are expected to have mastery of their basic facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Weekly challenges against the 4th graders.
Math Expressions
Multiple representations are taught before standard algorithms.
Focuses on having students learn the why before the how.
Homework and Remembering
Performance Assessments
Represent real world applications of the mathematical practices
Quarterly Common Assessments

8. Math Unit 1: Addition and Subtraction with Fractions
Unit 3: Multiplication and Division with Fractions
Unit 4: Multiplication with Whole Numbers and Decimals
Unit 5: Division with Whole Numbers and Decimals
Unit 6: Operations and Word Problems
Unit 7: Algebra, Patterns, and Coordinate Graphs
Unit 8: Measurement and Geometry

9. Science and Social Studies
We alternate between teaching science and social studies around every two weeks.
This year, in Science, we have the opportunity to pilot new programs consisting of the Next Generation Michigan Science Standards. These science standards will cover physical, life and earth science. The focus of study will include: making observations, designing solutions, planning and conducting investigations , making and using models, analyzing and interpreting data and constructing arguments.
Social Studies covers the birth of our nation from beginning explorers to the Revolution. We also touch on Westward Expansion during our informational writing unit.

10. Reader’s Workshop 30 Book Requirement
Marking period 1: 7 books
Marking period 2: 8 books
Marking period 3: 8 books
Marking period 4: 7 books
Reading is a life long skill, therefore reading at home as well as at school will be part of the daily expectations.
Only books within the student’s appropriate reading range will count toward the required books.
Studies show the single most important way to increase knowledge is to increase reading time, so quantity is important, but quality is always kept in mind when selecting books.

11. Writing Workshop Components of Writers Workshop
Notebooks: Students will fill up at least one composition book with seed ideas
Flash drafts: These are written on loose leaf paper. These are the beginning drafts for pieces that will later be published.
Final copies: Either typed up or handwritten.
Most writing will stay at school; you will not see a lot of it coming home since we do so much drafting.
Units of Study
Narrative Craft
Literary Essay
The Lens of History Research Reports
Shaping Texts
Research-based Argument Essay

12. PAW Paragraph a Week (PAW)
Students will be given a weekly topic. They will need to write one paragraph for homework.
Idea planning page, a rough draft, and a well-written final copy.
You will need to help your child edit their
rough drafts each week
(signature required)

13. Monday Folders
A folder will come home on Mondays that will include your child’s work from the previous week, as well as notes. Please remove everything from the folder, look over the work and return the folder.

14. Late Work, Missing or No-Name Work
All late work, no name, and missing work will be recorded in PowerSchool as missing until it is turned in.
These items may exclude a student from participating in on track time during the week.

15. On-Track Time
On track time is minutes of choice time at the end of the week. It is earned by completing and turning in all assignments for that week.
Every Thursday I will provide a list of missing work to any student with missing work. This list will be stapled into their planner. If the work is not turned in by on-track time Friday, the student will be considered off-track and will be given an opportunity to finish his/her work.

16. Planners Planners are used in 5th grade.
Planners will be filled out by the students every day with their homework and must be signed each night.

17. Parents will receive emailed newsletters each Friday.
Please use the newsletter as a guide for weekly work and other expectations.
For assignments, newsletters and other information, please check my website: misslowesawesomeclass.weebly.com

18. Conferences
Please make sure you have signed up for student-led conferences soon. (A link to sign up genius was sent last week and is on my website.) The conference dates are November 14th and 16th. I will also have two slots available on November 15th. Your child will be sharing an academic profile with you at this time.

19. Grading Policies and Student Contracts
STUDENTS are responsible for checking their assignments by the Thursday list right now. Later they will be required to check on powerschool.
We will follow the Lake Orion standard based grading system.
Mastery of standards will be monitored throughout the year.
Practice papers are not graded, but are checked in for completion. Papers scored for mastery will be clearly marked with a rubric.
If a child has an excused absence, they will be allowed the total number of days absent plus one to make up all assignments.

20. Birthdays
Feel free to send in non-food related birthday treats to celebrate your child’s big day. Please make sure treats are all individually portioned ahead of time. We have 26 students at this time.
Thank you in advance.

21. Specials Schedule Monday-P.E. Tuesday-Media Wednesday-P.E.
Thursday-Art
Friday-Music
The times are listed in the 5th Grade Basics handout.

22. Keys to a great year! POSITIVE CHARACTER POSITIVE ATTITUDE
ORGANIZATION
GOOD USE OF TIME
GOOD STUDY SKILLS
ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS
GOOD WORK HABITS
ENCOURAGEMENT from PARENTS and TEACHERS

23. Questions, Comments, or Concerns?
Please feel free to leave me a voice mail during the school day at ( ). I will return your call as soon as I can. However, the best way to get a quick response is to at:
If you do not get a response to an for a dismissal change, I did not get your . It may be a short response like, “Got it!”, but I will respond!
You can also find classroom resources on my website: misslowesawesomeclass.weebly.com

24. Please take the time to read the “Must Knows for Success in 5th Grade” at the back of your packet.

25. Thank you for coming tonight!
Miss Lowe