Curriculum Night Mrs. Rafa 2015

 Before coming to Walker, I taught 4 years in two other districts.  I taught 6 th grade at Walker for 12 years.  This is my 3 rd year teaching 5 th grade at Walker.  I have a BA degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana.  I have a Master’s degree from Governors State University.  Forty-two hours in additional graduate work

 New vocab words introduced at beginning of story/chapter and assessed after reading of text.  Silent reading and read aloud daily  Assessment on each story may be a project or test  STAR testing in reading and math during Fall, Winter, and Spring  In reading we will work, of course, on reading, but also on writing, listening, poetry, and fluency skills.  The text includes all types of reading genres.  We will also read a variety of novels throughout the year.  Students will participate in Guided Reading, Independent Reading, Oral Reading, and other activities in class.  Students will learn to use various reading strategies in order to better develop comprehension skills.

 Students will learn grammar and writing.  We will be organizing English notes very thoroughly including a table of contents for each unit.  Students can use class notes on quizzes & tests.  Students will study grammar units and incorporate grammar skills into writing.  Students will be reading, analyzing, and writing poetry.  Students will keep a writing folder at school.

 Past computation skills will be reviewed, and students will be encouraged to think mathematically to solve authentic problems using their math skills.  Math spiral required as note taking occurs daily. Notes taken in class can be used to review for tests & quizzes, so many examples are given!  Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing whole numbers, decimals, and fractions  Homework each night, quizzes throughout each chapter, and test at the end of each chapter. Review in class to reinforce skills before each test!  Morning math review (7:35 am) on day of quiz or test  Tests of a D or F must be signed and returned the next day.  Pencil only!!!!!  Students will be required to show work!  All students need a calculator for class.

 Students will be required to take notes.  We will practice map skills throughout the year.  There is a test or project after each chapter.  Any test of a D or F must be signed and returned the next day.  There will be a review to reinforce skills in class before each test.  There might not be homework each day. We have a lot of discussion and note taking during class. We also watch video segments pertaining to the subject area.  Topics include Colonization and the American Revolution  Class is very vocabulary intensive. Please review terms nightly.  I will show several short films in social studies to help build background for the students.

 Students will be required to take notes.  5 th Grade Science Rotation:  Light, Sound  Earth’s Changing Surface  Electricity and Magnetism  Animals  Students will be exposed to labs and learn how to write a lab report.  Notes taken daily.  Class is very vocabulary intensive. Please review terms nightly.

 Students will have an opportunity to check out books from Hilda Walker Library on Wednesday.  Students may also check out books from my personal library collection in the room.  All students are required to have a book to read.

 Students have PE five times a week.  Music one time a week.  Art one time a week.  Tech/Tech Integration one time a week.  The academic schedule was sent home and is posted on the web page.

 A  B80-89  C70-79  D60-69  F59-below

 We will observe this scale for tests, quizzes and assignments to which the scale can be applied.  Some assignments are designed for practice of a skill and will not be given a percentage grade.

 Students are expected to complete homework nightly and turn it in the next day. If a student chooses not to complete an assignment fully and turn it in on time, he or she will be given a pink Incomplete/Missing Homework Notice to bring home and get signed. That student will also be sent to lunch study hall to complete the assignment.  Homework must be turned in the next school day and will be penalized with a 10% reduction from student’s grade on the assignment. If the homework is not turned in the next school day, students will receive a 0% for the assignment.  Incomplete/Missing Homework Notices must be returned with parent signature along with completed homework. If student has completed assignment but does not have signed slip, student will sit out of intramurals until slip is returned to school.

 Three missing assignments will result in a lunch detention (minor). Three minors will result in an after school detention (major), and required attendance at after school Academic Assistance.  All students receive a “freebie” to start each quarter.

 Detentions are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until 3:55 P.M.  Academic Assistance is held Monday- Friday until 3:55 P.M.  Please be aware that there are no activity buses this year!  Please follow the traffic pattern for pick-up when coming to get your student.

 “The Walker Way” –BE RESPECTFUL, BE RESPONSIBLE, & BE SAFE  Purpose: To create a safe learning environment allowing everyone to reach their potential as a learner. Following these procedures/rules fosters a positive learning environment both in and out of the classroom.

We will treat each other with respect regardless of our differences:  Disagree respectfully and solve conflicts calmly.  Work together.  Remain quiet when others are speaking.  Raise you hand and wait patiently for the teacher’s assistance.

We will each be responsible for our own learning:  Sit up.  Tune in.  Ask/answer questions.  Respond to directions.  Complete work and write all assignments in your assignment notebook. We will each be responsible for our actions that affect people around us:  On task  Noise awareness  Movement around the classroom

We will keep learning fun & safe:  Foster a sense of humor.  Approach assignments & tasks with a positive attitude / always giving 100%.  Keep classroom floor clear of books, backpacks, boxes, etc.  Keep hands, feet, & objects to yourself.

 Rewards: verbal praise, PAW tickets, extra privilege earned, positive postcard/phone call  Consequences: warning, loss of intramurals, detention, phone call, seat change, parent conference, and/or referral to office

 Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on November 23 rd and 24 th.  November 23 rd Conferences are scheduled from 10:00 A.M. to 7:55 P.M.  November 24 th Conferences are 8:30-11:25 A.M.  Conference sign-up will take place online this year. More information will be sent home around October.

 This classroom is peanut free.

 Walker Office  Walker Office Hours: 8:00 – 3:55  address:  District Web Page  I post daily homework, upcoming test and quiz dates in all subject areas.  Any long-term project dates in all subjects will also be posted.  I have posted several cool links your child may want to try out.

 6:30-6:45 P.M. Short presentation in gym  7:00-7:20 P.M. Homeroom Mrs. Rafa  7: 25-7:45 P.M. Special/Resources teachers

 I am looking forward to a great year and partnership.  Thank you for coming to Curriculum and Expectation Night at Hilda Walker School.