1. Eric Schuh Lydiksen Elementary 2014-2015
Welcome to Fifth Grade!
Eric Schuh
Lydiksen Elementary
Thank you for supporting your child and letting them know how important their education is.
This is a year of responsibility. Please encourage independence.
?Changes in your Fifth grader?

2. About Me Originally from San Lorenzo, California
Teaching since 1996 (15th year here at Lydiksen)
Master’s Degree in 2003
Continuing Professional Development
Pleasanton resident since 2002
Married with two sons

4. Special Year Instrumental Band & Strings DARE Kindergarten Buddies
Outdoor Education
Leadership Opportunities

5. Philosophy
I believe that it is my duty to encourage students to take an active approach to their learning.
I believe that every single one of my students is capable of succeeding.
I believe that students who do not take an active role in their own education will miss out on opportunities.
I believe that no matter what you are doing, you should do your best.
“Good enough” never is.

6. Expectations Come to school prepared
Follow directions the first time they are given.
Respect others and their property
Stay on task
Follow classroom and school rules
Listen
Try
Be Nice

7. CHANGES YOU MIGHT NOTICE IN YOUR 5TH GRADER
Exaggerated emotions may be expressed
More conscious and judgmental of own appearance
Conforming to peer expectations
Has secret codes, meeting places, cliques, etc.
Able to be responsible
Increased activity and appetite
Attempting to conform to societal and peer expectations (which may be in conflict)
*Independence from parents begins and child may challenge authority
Admits interest in opposite sex
Teases and shows off for the opposite sex
Needs to be noticed

8. Goals for the Year Independent learners Critical thinkers
Excited seekers of knowledge!
Meet the California state standards
Develop life long skills
Prepared for middle school

9. Curriculum/Grading
The Curriculum is based on the California State Standards 
Individual student progress will be assessed each trimester in accordance with established grade level standards. 
Students who are at risk of not meeting district standards will receive notification and the opportunity to participate in school intervention programs.
Can refer to parent handbook for standards or State of California website
See handout -- Parents’ guide to Standards-Based Reporting
Describes what students should know and be able to do by the end of the year

10. Language Arts Reading Writing
Written and Oral English Language Conventions
Speaking and Listening
Reading to learn, not learning to read
Reading – Word Analysis, Fluency, Systemic Vocabulary Development, Reading Comprehension, Literary Response and Analysis
-Literature Circles
-Anthologies (short stories) from Houghton Mifflin
-Novels: Bridge to Terabithia, Sign of the Beaver, Tuck Everlasting and others
-Independent Reading:*Students are required to read one book per month.
-Wordly Wise – 15 words, nightly activities, weekly tests
Writing – Writing Strategies, Writing Applications (Organization and Focus, Research and Technology, Evaluation and Revision, Narratives, Responses to Literature, Research Reports, Persuasive Letters)
Written and Oral English Language Conventions (Sentence Structure, Grammar, Punctuation, Capitalization, Spelling)
Spelling – 20 words, nightly activities, weekly tests, Enrichment
Listening and Speaking – oral reports, presentations

11. Mathematics Place value and decimal fraction
Whole number and decimal fraction operations
Addition and subtraction of fractions
Addition and multiplication with volume and are
Problem solving with the coordinate plane

12. History/Social Science
American Indians to Westward Expansion
U.S. Geography
States and Capitals
Social Studies is integrated with reading and language arts program.
Pre Columbian Settlements
Early Explorers of the Americas
American Indians
The Colonial Era
Causes of the American Revolution
Courses and Consequences of the American Revolution
The U.S. Constitution
America: from 1789 to the mid 1800’s
To make history come alive, I have developed exciting thematic units that will include literature, crafts, cooking, looking at artifacts/primary sources, role playing and writing.

13. Science/Health Physical, Earth, & Life Science
Investigation and Experimentation
Human Growth & Development
Outdoor Education
Physical Science: Elements and their combinations account for all the varied types of matter in the world.
Life Science: Plants and animals have structures for respiration, digestion, waste disposal, and transport of materials. DARE and Human Growth and Development education is taught.
Earth Science: Water on Earth moves between the oceans and land through the process of evaporation and condensation.
Investigation and Experimentation: Ask meaningful questions and conducts careful investigations.
Twice a week your child will go to the science lab. Integrated demonstrations and student experiments in the science lab are used throughout the units.

14. P.E., Music and Library
P.E. is planned twice per week. Students should wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Music is scheduled one day per week. Band is available for students who are interested.
Library is scheduled every week. Library and research skills will be taught.

15. Computer Lab Computer lab is scheduled once per week.
Students will work on keyboarding skills and curriculum support activities.
Students will be introduced to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and similar program applications.

16. Character Education Compassion- be kind to self and others
Honesty- tell the truth
Responsibility- always do your best
Respect- use good manners
Integrity- do the right thing
Self-discipline- set goals and work towards them
Character in Action Monitors

17. Policies Attendance Discipline Praise and Rewards
Students are responsible to make up any missed work. They will have the number of days absent to make up the work.
Discipline
Loss of Recess, Sentences
Praise and Rewards
Positive feedback, Table Winners, Auction, Friday Funday
Students are responsible to find out what assignments they missed. They will need to make up any missed work. They will have the number of days absent to make up the work.

18. Homework Policy Consistently Monday-Thursday.
minutes, on average
Late work will not be accepted without prior arrangement.
Homework will be assigned consistently Monday-Thursday.
Generally, students should spend minutes on homework per night.
At times, research and writing will be necessary outside of class.
20 spelling words a week - enrichment
15 vocabulary words a week –
Tests on Friday
Students are encouraged to take trips to the library. We require that students read a minimum of 20 minutes independently at home.

19. Field Trips Lawrence Livermore Lab The Tech Museum of Innovation
Outdoor School
End of the Year Swim Party at the Aquatic Center
We need drivers $
Outdoor Ed Parent night - November

20. Supporting Your Child
Praise children for completing their responsibilities
Encourage daily practice
Assist with remedial math concept work
Pose higher-order questions about what your student reads
Set up a quiet, comfortable study area with good lighting
Practice -- flash cards
Onlineintervention -- click on homework. Don’t go ahead, just for remediation

21. Supporting the Classroom
Room Parent
Class Photographer
Auction representative
Computer Helper
Ink Cartridges (HP, Dell, & Lexmark)
Donating to the HELP Fund
Wish List items ?

22. Ways to Contact Me Email (eschuh@pleasantonusd.net)
Send in a note with your child
Phone ( )
When sending s, put your child’s first name in the subject line, otherwise your may be deleted.

23. Thank You for coming! I am looking forward to a wonderful year!
Questions?