1. 5th Grade
Mr. Baxter
Ms. Newcomb
Mrs. Kreissig
Mrs. Gretz
Mrs. Sienkiewicz

2. Back to School Night Essential Questions
What instructional components will be present in our rigorous 5th grade curriculum?
How can we work together to benefit all our students?

3. Schedule

4. Homework Policy
Homework and projects are extensions of school instruction are therefore an integral part of your child’s education.

5. Grading Policy
Class work, assessments, homework and projects are all components of a student’s grade in each subject area. Grades on projects or extended activities are based on rubrics developed for the specific project and both parents and students are made aware ahead of time of the requirements for the activity.

6. Grading Policy
At the end of each quarter, grades for projects, class work, homework and assessments will be used to determine a final grade. Mid Quarter reports will also keep you up-to-date with your child’s progress. Learning Skills will be communicated on a weekly basis as well as on the report card.
Report Cards will be distributed on:
November 11 & 12 (conferences)
February 3
April 14
June 23 (snail mail)

7. Learning Skills
We observe patterns and trends of students’ work, effort, and behavior to determine and improve learning skills.
The report card will coded “I, L, F, R, NI”
I= Independent
L=Limited prompting
F=Frequent prompting
R=Rarely demonstrates
NI= Not enough Information

8. Agendas All homework assignments will be recorded as assigned.
A responsible caregiver is expected to review all completed homework assignments and then initial the student’s agenda daily.
Parents can also use the agenda book to communicate with CGES staff.

9. Got Attitude! Positive Reward System
Positive Behavior Reward System
A student receives one (1) “Got Attitude” Sticker for demonstrating respectful behaviors.
Each sticker a student earns is recorded on the Go for the Green monthly calendar (provided) with a designation of a star.
Once a student has received one (1) sticker, they receive one (1) ticket.
Two tickets may be redeemed immediately for a freeze pop.
Or, if that student chooses, they may enter their name into a drawing for a chance to win a larger reward. Students may have their name added to the drawing for every 2 tickets they earn. The drawings will be held every quarter.

10. Go for Green Consequence Chart
Incident
Penalty
1st
Warning
2nd
Yellow
3rd
Red: min of 10 min timeout, reflection form, and conference with teacher
4th
Remain on Red: 15 min loss of recess, reflection form, conference with teacher, and note home
3 Reds in one week
Office Referral

11. College Gardens Standards of Communication
Communication Folders
Daily use folder for notes to and from school
Graded materials and learning skills sheets will be sent home in this folder on Thursdays
Blue papers indicate importance for instruction and should be saved as reference for families and student to review at home.
Newsletters
PYP newsletters will now include language arts and grade level information
Math newsletters from MCPS will go home on day one of each unit on white paper. Math review letters will be sent home two weeks prior to assessment on blue paper.
Keeping in contact
Understanding that time is limited and valued, staff should respond within one to two school days.

12. Reading Goals
Students are expected to read 25 grade appropriate books over the course of the year. A personal record of books read by each student will be kept in the classroom. We ask that your child reads for at least 20 minutes each night.
Students will need to complete a summary for each book read. To accomplish the 25 book goal with summary students will need to complete approximately 6 books and summaries per quarter. Teachers will check quarterly on their progress.

13. Reading Novels William and Mary Junior Great Books
Invitations To Literacy
Variety of Informational Text
We will use a variety of group sizes and materials to meet individual needs.
There will be focus lessons on the concepts all students need to learn.
We will use small groups of three or more for meeting the special needs of all students.
We will use cooperative groups or partners for completing a common task.

14. Writing Writing as a process:
Students are expected to respond to a writing prompt in organized and well-developed paragraphs focusing on ideas and content, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, voice, and conventions.
Students will also develop brief constructed responses to questions in all subjects.
Some of the writing modes that will be covered are:
Descriptive
Expressive
Informative
Narrative
Persuasive

15. Words Their Way Spelling/Vocabulary program
Differentiated by stages of spelling
Inquiry-based, cooperative learning approach
Sorting: students sort words in columns, noticing spelling/sound patterns (badge vs. page)
Hunting: students hunt for words in text that follow the weekly pattern
Spelling/meaning connection: Greek/Latin roots
Games!

16. Math
Students will be taught concepts that are covered in the following six strands:
Algebra/Patterns/Functions
Geometry
Measurement
Statistics
Probability
Number Relationships and Computation
Textbooks used will be Harcourt and Glencoe

17. Primary Years Programme
Community
Students
Transdisciplinary Skills
Units of Inquiry IB
Learner Profile
PYP Concepts
Action
PYP Attitudes

18. Where We Are in Place and Time How We Express Ourselves
Theme
Who We Are
Where We Are in Place and Time
How We Express Ourselves
How the World Works
How We Organize Ourselves
How We Share the Planet
Description of the Transdisciplinary Theme
An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and
spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights
and responsibilities; what it means to be human.
An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the
discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the
interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.
An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs
and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of
the aesthetic.
An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical
and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles;
the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.
An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure
and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on
humankind and the environment.
An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other
people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between
them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
Fifth Grade
Units of Inquiry
Learning From the Past
Central Idea: Reading historical fiction impacts our knowledge and understanding of the past
Lines of Inquiry:
-the characteristics elements of historical fiction
-individuals and
Scientific Discoveries
Central Idea: The study and application of scientific understanding throughout time
-the study of energy
-the impact of scientific discoveries
-technological advancements
People Revolt
Central Idea:. People revolt to cause change.
-the causes of revolution
-peaceful and non-peaceful ways people revolt
-the consequences of revolution
-impact of geographical characteristics of places and regions
Matter of Fact!
Central Idea:
Our continuously changing world impacts its inhabitants
-matter and its physical properties
-changes of state
- the impact of matter in environments around the world
So, Who is in Charge
Mankind functions under all different forms of governing bodies
-functions of government
-purpose of government
-what makes a society work
5th grade Exhibition
Central Idea: We have a responsibility to protect the Earth’s environment for our benefit and the benefit of future generations.
Topics Included:
Agriculture
Climate Change
Global Warming
Waste & Recycling
Energy

19. Sign Up Sign up for a conference Classroom volunteers
November 11th & 12th
Classroom volunteers

20. We look forward to a great year!

21. 3-2-1 Summarizer 3 Important things that you will take back with you
2 Things you want to know more about
1 Thing you will work with your student to make him/her successful