Welcome to Back to School Night ! Pinebrook Elementary Mrs. Ducharme 5 th Grade Room 38

Some Actual “Forgot my homework” excuses… I just saw it on the New York Times Bestsellers List, so that means someone stole it. I had better things to do. I didn't do it because I didn't want to add to my teacher's heavy workload. I accidentally divided by zero and my paper burst into flames. I hired a paper writing company and they did it in Chinese.

A little bit about me… This is my second year at Pinebrook! I graduated from James Madison University for both my B.A. and M.A. I recently got married over the summer. I am still getting used to my new name!! I enjoy traveling, baking, and reading in my spare time.

Some Communication Tools I Will Be Using: My Pinebrook website s ClassMessenger.com

Odds and Ends Snack – lunch is very late, please send in a snack for your child! Conferences – Sign ups are set up on my PNB site! DARE – Drug Abuse Resistance Education - 10 lessons throughout year Field Trips – first it to Camp Highroads next month Thursday Folder Volunteers – Please fill out on my PNB site. Donating to our Class – Wish list on my PNB site

A look at all of our Teachers!!! Our 5 th Grade Team Mrs. Donahue Mrs. Noel Ms. Payne Mrs. Kursman (Schultz) Mrs. Flynn Mrs. Stanley Mrs. Ducharme (Yang) Our specialists are: Mrs. Ross – Guidance Mr. McPherson – P.E. Mrs. Hoffmaster – Music Mrs. Johnson – Art Mrs. Higgins – Library

Students will be responsible for being prepared for all classes everyday *Students may not call home for homework Students will produce quality work at all times Students will show respect for everyone that they come in contact with Students will respect classmates’ learning by following both the Classroom and School Rules Students will be positive role models for younger students Grade Level Expectations

Stick System 1 st step: Warning  Eye-contact, touch, gesture, and/or proximity for minor disruptions 2 nd step: Consequence (STICK ONE)  5 minutes off recess, Stick Form 3 rd step: Consequence (STICK TWO)  10 minutes off recess, Stick Form 4 th step: Consequence (STICK THREE)  15 minutes off Recess, Note home (from you) & Teacher will contact parents 5 th step: Same as above AND Conference with administrator, teacher and student Grade Level Behavior Management

Agenda Parental Support Nightly Reading 40 Book Challenge Math Science Daily Review Students are expected to complete homework in a timely manner and will be responsible for making up any missing assignments Homework

40 Book Challenge All students participating in Reading Workshop Allows for CHOICE in their reading as well as READING TIME each day. STUDENTS ARE STILL EXPECTED TO READ 20 MINUTES EACH NIGHT – EVEN IF THEY READ AT SCHOOL!!! Students will keep their charts at school. Students should be keeping track of books that they read at home so that they can talk to their teachers during conferences & have them recorded on their Challenge Sheet Students should also record this on the 40 Book Challenge Form on my website Includes 40 books in a variety of genres, we will review these at school

Students will be assessed in a variety of ways on a daily basis. Three primary forms of assessment are: – Diagnostic- not graded/used to assess knowledge of concepts – Formative- to check for understanding – Summative- graded assignments – 4 – Exceeds the standard Higher Level Thinking – 3 – Meets the standard – 2 – Progressing toward the standard – 1 – Not meeting the standard Grading Policies

Math Units/Strands Numeration (Number Sense, Numerical Operations) Measurement Geometry Data Analysis Algebra Problem Solving Flexible math grouping all focused on 5 th Grade SOLs Common Pre & Post Assessments Differentiated Instruction Math

Reading Students will participate in Reading Workshop which is a method that uses a combination of mini-lessons, independent reading time, and individual conferences to inspire and motivate students. Some skills that will be taught during the year include: Predicting Comparing Texts Using Context Clues Making Inferences Making Connections Summarizing Analyzing Author’s Style Researching Reading & Answering SOL Test Type Questions

Students will participate in Writing Workshop, similar to Reading Workshop. Instruction will focus on the following types of writing: Expository Persuasive Narrative Descriptive Grammar will be reviewed on a daily basis through mini lessons and writing conferences. Students will have regular Spelling/Word Tests based on their current spelling level. Writing

Changing Earth Ocean Environment Cells and Organization of Living Things States of Matter Light and Sound Science Fair Experiments and hands-on investigations are incorporated into each unit! Science

Social Studies Regions of the United States Map Skills Geography Landforms Environment People History Economy/Resources

Report Cards Students will be marked in the content areas of Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Social Science and Science using the following Grading Key and Progress Indicators: Grading Key A = Advanced Proficient B = Proficient C = Intermediate D = Beginning Progress Indicators 4 = Advanced Proficient 3 = Proficient (This is the target for all students) 2 = Intermediate 1 = Beginning = Denotes knowledge or skill not assessed at this time New Report Card Software: Phoenix ParentVue Opens next week. Sounds like it is similar to Clarity. We will be learning it along with you!!!

Check Pinebrook’s 5 th grade webpage for newsletters and important dates. You can reach us by phone or . We will get back to you as soon as possible! School Phone: th Grade Team s are online If you have specific questions or comments please leave them on an index card for me. I’ll be in touch soon! Questions or Comments?

Thank you for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to be here tonight! I am looking to a fun and successful year with your children!