Welcome to Science & S. Studies Today is Thursday, August 30, 2012 Homework: Check to see if your child is bringing home their Science and Social Studies notebooks EVERY night. Opening Activity: On a sticky note, complete one of the following: Write an “I wonder…” statement regarding 5th Grade Science & Social Studies. Write a question you have for Ms. Douglas. Write an “I’m loving…” statement about 5th Grade Science & Social Studies.

Ms. Jessica Douglas Teaching Experience 6 years (only in 5th grade) Education Undergraduate degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from UAB Master’s degree in Elementary Reading and Math from Walden University Gifted Endorsement Cohort through GCPS Currently working on my Doctorate in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University Currently working on an 18-month science endorsement through GCPS Personal Life Grew up in Birmingham, Alabama where all my family lives. No kids of my own, but I have the best nieces and nephews an aunt could ask for!

Starling Expectations School Hours 7:45 Arrival 8:15 Late bell 2:00 Last check out 2:45 Dismissal begins Behavior Expectations “RAMS” rules Policies and Procedures Outlined in the front of the agenda

Work Expectations Graded assignments will be completed in class Homework assignments and reminders are to be written in daily agendas. Note: On average, homework should take roughly fifty minutes to complete, but could be longer based on a student’s individual work habits. Many times students have an opportunity to work on their assignments at school; therefore, students that use their time wisely may have less. Missing and late work Will be accepted, but will result in a penalty to grade Make-up work for absence See policies and procedures handbook

What’s Going on in my class? Organized Chaos

How does this all work? Schedule: Monday & Tuesdays 8:15-9:35 Class 1 (Johnson/McFadden & Watson) 10:25-11:00 Study Hall 11:45-12:55 Class 2 (Dunn & Manders) 12:55-2:05 Class 3 (Bryce & Barnes 2:05-2:40 CQI/LEAP Math Wednesdays & Thursdays 8:15-9:35 Class 4 (Johnson/McFadden & Watson) 11:45-12:55 Class 5 (Dunn & Manders) 12:55-2:05 Class 6 (Bryce & Barnes) Friday 8:15-8:55 Class 1 8:55-9:35 Class 4 11:45-12:25 Class 2 12:25-12:55 Class 5 12:55-1:30 Class 3 1:30-2:05 Class 6 How does this all work?

The first 5 minutes of class students write down their homework and begin working on an Opening Activity. The next 55 minutes is spent in instructional activities. The last 5 minutes of class I go over the homework. How does this all work?

Understanding The Lingo in Homework What does this mean in my child’s agenda? NB stands for notebook. If the students are to complete Sci NB12, the item will be found inside their science notebook either taped or glued. Pgs. Stands for pages in a textbook. The days or dates are the due dates and/or the dates of a test Understanding The Lingo in Homework

Interactive Notebooks What are these things? Working portfolio Guide to parents on what we are covering in class A study guide tool for students to review material Organizational tool for information presented in class Interactive Notebooks

What Happens when they’re Absent? What about making up work? It is very important your child comes to study hall the day they return to school to get their make-up work. Checking the website and e-mailing me is a great way to get ahead or know what your child will be missing that day.

Preparing for an assessment for Class Students should be taking their notebooks home EVERY night (even the days they do not come to my class). Review the notes and homework assignments. This will only prepare the students for future assessments and assignments. Study guides: Typically come out a week before the test and require parent’s signature. Answers are located within their notebooks. It should not take hours upon hours to complete. Quickly discussed in class and can be found on my website.

Understanding the Retest policy Students earning below a 69% on an assessment may have the opportunity to retake the assessment. Students will have a paper stapled in their agendas with the test to retake and the date they must retake it by. It is the student’s responsibility to come to study hall to retake the assessment by the noted date. The higher of the two grades is taken as the final grade.

Additional “Need To Knows” About Science and Social Studies Student Info Sheets E-mail me Weekly SPOTacular E-mails ParentPortal Student Portal Science Textbook Online Social Studies Textbook Online Handout will be in Friday Folder Class Website www.msjdouglas.weebly.com

Welcome to Science & S. Studies Today is Thursday, August 30, 2012 Homework: Check to see if your child is bringing home their Science and Social Studies notebooks EVERY night. Have you been getting the weekly SPOTacular Science & S. Studies e-mails? Opening Activity: “I wonder…” and “I’m loving…” statements can be placed on the “Parking Lot” by the door. Any questions?