1.  Mrs. Blackman and Mrs. Martin

2.  If you have any questions, please use the “Ticket out the Door”  Leave it on your child’s desk.  We will answer you as soon as possible! We are so glad you could make it, and we look forward to working with you and your child this year!!

3.  Common Core Writing Workshop by Lucy Calkins  The workshop consists of efficient and effective mini lessons, conferences, small group strategy sessions, and sharing.  Mini Lessons are about 10 minutes and focus on ideas and how to write each genre (narrative, informative/explanatory, opinion, and research).  Students are expected to write for 40 minutes everyday.  Grammar instruction will be integrated in Writer’s Workshop.  The goal is for students to enjoy and be comfortable with writing…and ultimately, do it well!

4.  Teaching comprehension strategies to enhance understanding  Questioning, Connections, Inferring, Visualizing, Synthesizing, and Determining Importance  Skills  Reviewing skills such as Main Idea, Compare/Contrast, Summarizing, etc.  Interactive Reading Notebook  Note-taking, Summarizing, Response to reading, etc.  Literary elements will be taught through the use of short texts, novels, read alouds, picture books, and self selected books.

5.  History: students will cover Civil War to present day.  Government/Civics: Students will explore citizenship and the US Constitution, focusing on the changes that took place due to historical events  Geography: Students will study location to better understand historical events.  Interactive notebook utilized: o Students are encouraged to study the notebook, study guides, and textbook nightly the week of a test.

6.  Rigorous Math curriculum in 5 th grade – students must be able to compute, model, and explain the Math that they are doing  Pre-tests before each set of standards/ same test taken as the post test at the conclusion of the unit  Students grouped into flexible differentiated groups based on pre-test (groups change as needed)  Hands on Math manipulatives used whenever possible  Differentiated activities based on readiness and performance  Students should utilize their spiral notebook when completing homework or studying for tests  Weekly spiral Math quiz – weekly spiral Math morning work used to review all standards on a weekly basis in preparation for the quiz  TenMarks – reinforces the 5 th grade standards while remediating and/or accelerating mathematical understanding

7.  Units of Study  Cells & Microorganisms  Classification  Genetics  Electricity and Magnetism  Chemical & Physical Changes  Earth – Constructive & Deconstructive Processes  Interactive Science Notebook  All testable material (notes, handouts, diagrams, charts, etc.)  Students are encouraged to study their interactive notebooks and study guide nightly the week of a test  Science Experiments  Allow students to have hands-on experiences with science curriculum  Volunteer opportunities to help with experiments throughout the year

8.  Georgia Milestones will replace the CRCT in all content areas  Selected-Response [aka, multiple-choices] all content areas  Evidence-based selected response in ELA  Constructed-Response ELA and mathematics  Extended-Response ELA and mathematics

9. A = 90 - 100 B = 80 - 89 C = 71 -79 D = 70 F = 69 and below Total Points  All grades may not be out of 100 points Grades are indicative of student performance in each subject area  No participation or completion grades are given Students may qualify for either of the following :  Honor Roll is 90 or better in all academic subjects.  Merit Roll is an 80 or better in all academic subjects.

10.  Mission: To promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, service, and leadership.  Members are required to participate in 6 hours of service projects.  Begins after the 1 st semester (January)  Sponsors will look at the 1 st and 2 nd quarter report cards to determine which students qualify for Jr. Beta Club  Must have all A’s on the 1 st and 2 nd quarter report cards to qualify. May receive one B on subsequent report cards.  Invitations will be sent home with report cards in January  Dues are $25 – includes National & School dues and a t-shirt  Monthly meetings February–May

11.  Daily homework should be written in agenda by your child  Math – standards based homework 4x per week  Reading – reading each night (can include the science and social studies assigned reading)  Social Studies/Science – Study guide is provided at the beginning of every unit. At home projects may be assigned.  Writing- occasional homework  No homework on Fridays or over extended breaks

12.  Bring Your own Learning Device (BYLD)  BYLD program is designed to provide Internet access at the fingertips of students  Students utilize the device for various Internet resources (Research, Webquests, etc.)  Students may have digital books to read on their device  Students will access the BYLD network which does contain the same filters as those on desktop and laptop computers at school  Students will need to have the signed permission form in order to be able to bring in a device (can be found on the Forms page of the Avery website)  Students are responsible for their own devices – staff does not troubleshoot or fix devices  Devices are locked in a cabinet when the class leaves the room (lunch, recess, specials, etc.)  Devices may be taken home each night or left in the locked cabinet at school  Students are not permitted to text, play games, take pictures, or listen to music on the devices while at school  No apps are required though students may utilize educational apps at appropriate times (multiplication flash cards, content related apps, etc.)

13.  Please refer to page 39 of the CCSD Discipline Code o Pants & shorts - 5 inches from the top of the knee o Skirts & dresses - 3 inches from the top of the knee o No spaghetti straps, unless worn with a sweater or jacket.

14.  Announcements will be communicated via teacher newsletters, websites, email, and Remind (text updates).  Be sure to check your child’s Friday Folder for graded papers and flyers.  Feel free to contact your child’s teacher for questions and concerns - email is preferred.

15.  Thank you for your support thus far!  Mrs. Martin and I will be scheduling conferences soon.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.  We anticipate a wonderful year of learning, growth, and fun!! Have a great night!