Curriculum Night 2014 “A Shared Vision”

A Shared Vision Digging Deeper Into 5 th Grade AIG 'A shared vision is not an idea... it is rather, a force in people's hearts... at its simplest level, a shared vision is the answer to the question: 'What do we want to create?‘ Peter Senge

Compacting Curriculum In AIG classes, students work one year ahead of their current grade level. Objectives and goals are compacted to fit more material in the same amount of time. This involves pre-assessing materials to determine exactly what kind of instruction students need. Students should try their best on these non- graded assessments. If they can prove proficiency in an area, they can advance to the next level.

Reading/Language Arts Expectations Expands and refines vocabulary through knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, roots, derivatives, context clues to assist comprehension Identifies key vocabulary from the text to support comprehension Monitors comprehension and extend vocabulary Reads independently, daily from self-selected materials (consistent with the student’s independent reading level) to increase fluency, build background knowledge, and vocabulary skills Makes inferences about fictional and non-fictional text Integrates main idea and supporting details from multiple resources to expand understanding of text Organize writing and speaking tasks considering audience, purpose Composes a draft that elaborates on major ideas and adheres to the topic by using an appropriate organizational pattern that accomplishes the purpose of the writing task and effectively communicates its content Composes a variety of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and dramas using self-selected topic and format- poetry, research reports, news articles, letters to the editor, business letters

Tested 1 st Quarter Math Expectations Place value/decimals Add/subtract decimals Multiplying/dividing whole numbers/decimals Classifying 2-D Figures Relate Volume to Multiplying and Addition

Take a Look at our: Daily, Weekly, Quarterly Assessments End-of-Quarter Testing (district) Quarterly Writing prompts Math –Tests (with SIMMs) –Homework grade –Daily work –Quizzes Writing –Concept focused writing –Writing prompt responses –Vocabulary development Reading –Tests reflecting class reading (all open book) –Reading Log –Daily work –Quizzes

Continuous Improvement Mindset: fixed or growth? I am a very strong believer in a cycle of continuing to improve at all times, which supports a growth mindset. No matter where you start, you can get better! This is a big reason why I ask students to complete SIMMs on all math tests. I expect students to ask questions and make mistakes. They help me to be a better teacher! Encourage your child to keep trying! Asking for help is necessary in all walks of life, so why not start practicing now?

Rubrics and Student Choice In order to encourage student creativity and critical thinking, students are often given a choice in their assignments. This differentiation can come in the form of content, product, or process differentiation. This allows students to take advantage of their multiple intelligence, highlighting particular talents and interests. Criteria is established on a rubric. Students choose which level of proficiency they want to achieve and work accordingly. Students are encouraged to ask questions about the depth and complexity that is required for each task if they are unclear.

Homework Tips –Homework should be a reinforcement of material learned in school. If it is not the topic we covered in class, call a classmate to be sure you are doing the right thing! –Homework should take about an hour, total –Set aside time and a place for studying that is free of distractions. (Tools for learning handy: erasers, pencils, etc.) –Allow your student to finish the assignment before you check it. Then, mark errors (so I can see an error was made) and let him/her attempt to correct it instead of telling the answer. –Study with your child (great time to bond!) –Stay in touch with your teacher! –(Parents) Create a portfolio of best pieces, keeping only selected assignments, not all of them

Other HOT 5 th grade topics *Absences and Make-up work 2 days to make up work missed *Binder/dividers One 5 subject or two 1 subject notebooks Keep my notebook(s) in binder! Use dividers No paper should just be ‘stuck’ in the binder Binder, books, snack/water are the only items that are to be brought to class

Staying Informed Curriculum Night PTA Parent/Teacher conferences (Oct. 31) Newsletters Wednesday folder Phone Calls/ Remind Me

Questions???