1.  August 27, 2014

2. The learning expectations and standards for performance have been outlined for each quarter based on the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards for ELA and Math, and Georgia Performance Standards for all other subjects. Teachers will use two types of classroom assessments, formative and summative.

3.  Daily, ongoing assessments/observations that are used to monitor student progress toward mastery of standards.  Formative assessments will receive a standards- based score as outlined in the rubric.  Formative scores will not be posted in Parent Portal. These scores will be communicated to parents in the weekly work folder sent home by the teacher.  A score of 3 indicates the student has met expectations for that standard. Key to Formative Based Achievement 1 –Below standard, needs frequent teacher support, reteaching, and additional practice 2 –Below standard, needs frequent teacher support, reteaching, and additional practice 3 –Meets standard, produces quality work with little to no teacher support 4 –Exceeds standard, consistently produces outstanding work independently

4.  Cumulative assessments will receive a traditional numeric grade and will be used to measure student mastery of standards.  Summative grades will be posted in Parent Portal and the average will serve as the report card grade. KEY TO SUMMATIVE BASED ACHIEVEMENT F <70% C 70-79% B 80-89% A 90-100%

5.  Students will be allowed ONE retest for each assessment.  Students eligible for a retest must participate in re-teaching and re-learning sessions and/or assignments as determined by the teacher.  Students will receive the higher of the two grades.  The purpose of allowing a retest is to ensure mastery of standards.

6.  Student work habits will be reported using the following categories:  Responsibility, Participation, Assignment Completion, and Interpersonal Skill s  In each of the above categories, students will receive one of the following scores:  Needs Improvement (N), Successful (S), or Exemplary (E).  {Successful (S) is the expectation of students}

7. Homework Nightly: written in agenda Absences: send an email or a note Transportation: MUST have note from parent (emails not accepted)

8. Meeting individual needs Meeting/Exceeding all standards and benchmarks determined by state of Georgia and Forsyth County Prepare for middle school Enjoy last year of elementary school!

9. One behavior sheet handed out every 9 weeks Signed by parents on a weekly basis (by Tuesday) Provides communication between school and home Quarterly grade given for work habits – behavior sheet used to determine work habits section on report card Signed by teachers (as needed) for: missing assignments, late work, not prepared for class, redirected behaviors, etc…)

10. Sent home one day during the week Please sign summative tests ONLY (grades with percentage scores) You may keep all formative grades (1,2,3,4) Sign and return papers on "return to school" side of folder

11. Students are required to read for 20 minutes every day Parent Signature required for reading log Students should spend no more than 60 minutes on homework each night. Please stop your child after one hour, even if s/he did not finish. Math practice needs to be reinforced nightly (expect no more than 30 minutes most nights). Homework should be written in the agenda by your child! It is posted in class and time is given to write down assignments.

12.  Implementation of school-wide student led-conferences  Students will set goals and prepare for the conference.  Students will facilitate the conference.  Builds a bond between student – teacher and parent

13.  inclusion of constructed-response items in ELA and mathematics, in addition to selected-response items  –inclusion of a writing component (in response to text) at every grade level and course within the ELA assessment;  –transition to online administration over time, with online administration considered the primary mode of administration and paper-pencil back-up until transition is completed.

14. Writing Workshop & Grammar Types of Writing (Narrative/Expository/Opinion) 15-30 minute Mini-Lesson daily Application of writing is integrated into content areas.

15. 10 to 15 minute Mini-Lesson 40 minutes Independent Reading/Application of skills learned (while teacher assesses/conferences/ conducts small groups) 5 minute Share Time Daily Read Aloud Book Clubs

16. History (Civil War to the present) Within this time period, your children will discover › Geography › Economics › Civics Incorporate nonfiction reading strategies into daily lessons Link to Social Studies book can be accessed from home

17. 3 major areas of study: *LIFE SCIENCE (cells, microorganisms, classification, genetics) *EARTH SCIENCE (constructive and destructive processes that change the earth) *PHYSICAL SCIENCE (matter, mass, electricity, magnetism) Health will be integrated into Science units throughout the year

18. Math Series: Ready Common Core Basic Algebra, Data Analysis, Fractions, Decimals, Geometry, And Problem Solving Homework nightly practicing skills learned in class. Students can refer to their notes in their binders for help Don’t be afraid to check their work and have them fix errors.

19. 4-H (through the University of Georgia) Class T-Shirts *order in September 19th* Spelling Bee *December* Oratorical Contest *2 nd Semester* Young Georgia Author Competition Field Trip Geography Bee *January* 5th Grade Day (last day of school) Walk Through The Halls 5 th Grade Yearbook Ads