1. in their desk Please sign in on the laptops
If you would like to see the classroom
wish list, please feel free to grab a cactus
from the board 
If you would like to write a note for
your child on the first day, please feel
free to grab one from the stool to leave
in their desk

2. Ms. Eble
Room 28

3. About Ms. Eble
Before Sycolin Creek, I taught fifth grade for three years at Frederick Douglass.
I have lived in Leesburg my whole life and just recently moved to Round Hill.
I graduated from Longwood University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies Elementary Education.
In my free time I enjoy spending time with family, playing soccer, running, reading, and walking my dog, Bear.
I will getting married in October and my name will be changing to Mrs. Sundheimer 

4. Highlights DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program
5th Grade Chorus
5th Grade Student Council
PE Tournaments
Sammy Show
Reading Buddies
Blue and Green Matball Game
Middle School Tour
Watch D.O.G.S.
Field Trip
5th Grade Graduation & Celebration

5. Our Curriculum
READING: Each class has a daily block of independent reading time. Students will read an appropriate, on-level book of their choice while teacher meets with small groups for individualized instruction.
Nonfiction and fiction texts
Story Elements (ex: setting, plot, characters, author’s purpose)
Literary Elements (ex: cause/effect, sequencing, inference, figurative language)
Book Clubs
Accelerated Reader (AR)
WRITING: Personal narratives, persuasive essays, journal entries, writing prompts, parts of speech, and revising and editing.

6. Curriculum, continued…
SCIENCE: Taught by Mrs. Wong (Room 29). Students will use the scientific method and investigate units in earth, life, and physical science.
MATH: Taught by Ms. Eble. Units include place value, decimals, fractions, operations, geometry, variables.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Regions of the USA, states and capitals, geography, maps.

7. Math Guided Math (Personalized Learning Groups)
Dreambox, Prodigy, and ALEKS
Interactive notebook entries from class are very helpful when studying for tests and completing homework assignments.
Please do not stress if your child is struggling with their homework. I will be happy to help them during morning work time or lunch bunch if needed.
Test correction policy is posted on my website.

8. Prodigy Math Prodigy is a free math program that students can use
at home and at school.
They will take a placement “test” at the beginning of the year and Prodigy will continue to give them math assignments based on their needs.
I can also assign quizzes to the students so please make sure they always try their best.
I don’t usually assign Prodigy for homework, but the students play it anyways because they love it 
Students will sign up for this at school. If you have any questions, please let me know.

9. Study Resources
Quizlet is a great study tool, it’s free to make an account
Students can make online flashcards and play games to help them study
Great for vocabulary, multiplication facts, states and capitals, and tests!
I will provide students with usernames for this.
Please also be sure to check Google Classroom or my website for more study resources as the year progresses.

10. Google Classroom
Students can access from home or school, they join classes with a code (we will practice this tomorrow)
Will be used for: posting homework, reading log, math help videos, links to assignments, and more!
Allows students to create products and collaborate with one another.
Helps prepare them for middle school.

11. PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System)
School-wide Behavior Plan
5 Sammy Spots: Recess, hallway, bathroom, bus, and cafeteria
3 R’s:
Respect Self
Respect Others
Respect Property
Students can earn Sammy Tickets at any spot from staff members.
Individual and class rewards
Class goal = 100 stars and rewards are earned
Check the school’s webpage for PBIS updates!

12. B.Y.O.T. (Bring Your Own Technology)
Students who have completed the Digital Citizenship program may bring a device from home to use at appropriate times in class.
Devices are for research and academic purposes only and may not be used to play games or access social media.
Devices are to be kept in backpacks and on silent mode when not in use.

13. Class Dojo Classroom Behavior Plan for 5th Grade
Positive Reinforcement: Students earn points for specific behaviors and may cash in their points for rewards within the classroom.
Consequences: Students may lose points for making poor choices that are inconsistent with our class and school rules, including missing assignments.
Parent-Teacher Communication: Parents are able to see when students earn or lose points throughout the day (you can choose to receive notifications). Class Dojo is also a very easy way to communicate with me. I will frequently send reminders on Class Dojo. *Please do not let students change their avatar at home 
Be sure to check the Class Story to see what we are doing in class!

14. Personalized Learning at Sycolin Creek
Personalized Learning (PL) is dynamically tailoring learning experiences to students’ strengths, needs, and/or interests.
A PL approach supports PBL and One to the World by encouraging the following:
access to significant content for students who may have learning gaps,
challenges for students who have shown basic mastery; and
relevance for all students as their interests help shape the direction of meaningful contributions to the world.
General Notes
With careful classroom design and the addition of technology resources, we will focus on class time on meeting the needs of each student through small group/individual time and the use of digital programs which adapt to each student’s strengths and areas in need of improvement. Classes will get 15 Chromebooks.
Core Four
Flexible Content and Tools – Instructional materials that allow for differentiated path, pace, and performance tasks.
Targeted Instruction – Instruction aligns to specific student needs and learning goals.
Student Reflection and Ownership – Ongoing student reflection promotes ownership of learning. There will be opportunities for students to make decisions about how and what they learn. With ownership in their learning, engagement increases and academic results improve.
Data Driven Decisions – Frequent data collection informs instructional decisions and groupings.

15. Homework Homework will be written in the agenda each day.
Please check agenda each night. Incomplete or missing assignments will be noted in Class Dojo.
Homework will consist of:
20 minutes of independent reading nightly with
reading log (Google Classroom).
Word Study (every other week)
Math (Nightly)
Science or Social Studies homework will occur weekly.

16. Grading & Report Cards
Indicators for progress follow the national rubric:
4= Exceeds Standards
3= Meets Standards
2= Progressing Towards Standard
1= Below Standard
Students’ graded assignments will show a number score (1-4), not a letter grade.
Students will be graded on their classwork, class projects, oral presentations, quizzes and tests.

17. SOL Testing Fifth graders will take 3 SOL tests in May on computers.
Science
Math
Reading

18. Recess Policy
Starting this year, students are required to have at least 30 minutes of recess per day.
When the schedule allows, recess will be split into two fifteen minute breaks

19. Support our School Join the PTA Submit Box Tops labels.
Watch D.O.G.S. (Orientation Oct. 11th at 5 p.m.)

20. The Sammy Show Sycolin Creek’s morning announcement TV show.
Fifth graders must complete an application and audition. If chosen, they will need to be at school by 7:30 each morning.
Each homeroom takes a turn running the Sammy Show for about 6 weeks.

21. Last but not least…
Snacks – Please do not send in snacks that contain traces of nuts or seeds.
Please do not bring snacks that require a spoon.
Please no sodas or juice for snack.
Call the office before 2 PM with any dismissal changes. I may not check my until after school ends.