Welcome to Curriculum Night Fifth Grade Teachers: Mr. Niemeyer Mrs. Tarvin Mr. Peacock Mrs. Motley

Reading / Writing Fifth Grade ELA Teachers: Mr. Niemeyer Mrs. Tarvin

What is our reading curriculum? Authentic Literacy Authentic Literacy Readers Workshop Readers Workshop Writers Workshop Writers Workshop

Authentic Literacy As students learn and use their oral language, they do it for a real reason or purpose. When they learn to read and write, they must also have this reason and purpose. Learning to read and write must be meaningful. The use of authentic literature makes it possible to create many meaningful reading and writing experiences for children in the classroom.

Readers Workshop Overview

Writers Workshop Writers Workshop: Occurs daily Occurs daily Mirrors Readers Workshop Mirrors Readers Workshop Uses a process approach Uses a process approach Students write on topics of their own choice Students write on topics of their own choice Rests on clear rituals and routines Rests on clear rituals and routines

Writing Workshop Opening Clear, focused mini-lesson Direct instruction is based on data gained by analyzing student work Lessons can be skills-based, craft-based, or procedural Teachers keep a writers notebook Teachers model expectations for independent work during the work period Work Period: Students write independently Students choose topics and keep writers notebooks Students share work in response groups Teacher confers with individual students at this time Closing: Students share and reflect on their writing in Author’s Chair.

More to come: Book Clubs Book Clubs Novels: Novels: Holes Holes Number The Stars Number The Stars Hatchet Hatchet Island of The Blue Dolphin Island of The Blue Dolphin Manic Magee Manic Magee Sign of The Beaver Sign of The Beaver Out of The Dust Out of The Dust

Science Fifth Grade Science Teacher: Mrs. Motley

4 Core Areas of Science Physical Science Physical Science Earth Science Earth Science Life Science Life Science Nature of Science Nature of Science

What we “do” in science class… Writing assignments Writing assignments Labs Labs Practice sheets Practice sheets Homework Homework Lots of discussion and checking with partners Lots of discussion and checking with partners

How science is assessed… Open note quizzes, tests Open note quizzes, tests Journal entries Journal entries Use of CPS clickers Use of CPS clickers Written assignments Written assignments Reflections Reflections Performance assessments (labs,etc.) Performance assessments (labs,etc.)

New TEKS this Year The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills have changed a bit this year. We will be covering some new topics such as density, weather and climate, and biofuel energy sources. The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills have changed a bit this year. We will be covering some new topics such as density, weather and climate, and biofuel energy sources. The students will take a science TAKS test this year. They have only one chance to pass the test and the performance on the test will help you determine if you child will be ready to take Pre-AP science classes next year. The students will take a science TAKS test this year. They have only one chance to pass the test and the performance on the test will help you determine if you child will be ready to take Pre-AP science classes next year.

Math Fifth Grade Math Teacher: Mr. Peacock

Math Curriculum Our Math Curriculum focuses on 2 main programs: Our Math Curriculum focuses on 2 main programs: Investigations Investigations Envision Envision These programs are inquiry-based, student centered curriculums where the students develop meaningful understandings about mathematical concepts instead of learning steps to solve a problem. These programs are inquiry-based, student centered curriculums where the students develop meaningful understandings about mathematical concepts instead of learning steps to solve a problem.

Traditional Math John A. Van de Walle (2007) Collection of rules and procedures to memorize Collection of rules and procedures to memorize Focus is on getting the “right” answer Focus is on getting the “right” answer Only one way to get the answer Only one way to get the answer Only some students are “good at math” Only some students are “good at math”

How is the way we teach and learn mathematics different? Memorizing procedures to get an answer Do math in a way that makes sense to the learner Teacher – centered Student - centered

“ The goal of mathematics should be to produce learners who are both mathematically competent and confident. This does not come from merely memorizing rules and procedures, but from understanding relationships and knowing you can make sense of information and situations you encounter.” Ruth Parker (2000)

Why? We are living in the Conceptual Age. Employers want people who can apply what they learn and work collaboratively. Traditional math does not work for all children. They don’t understand what they are learning. They just learn to do it because they are told.

Investigations in Number, Data, and Space K-5 program K-5 program The middle school programs follows the same instructional model. The middle school programs follows the same instructional model. Focuses on mathematical thinking and reasoning. Focuses on mathematical thinking and reasoning.

Investigations in Number, Data, and Space Teaches that there is still one correct answer. There are just many ways to prove the answer is correct. Does not abandon traditional learning, just builds a conceptual understanding FIRST.

As a result of their everyday learning, students will…. Explore problems in depth Find more than one way to solve a problem Develop problem- solving strategies Explain their thinking Represent their thinking using models, words and numbers Make connections between mathematical ideas Develop fluency – efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility Choose a variety of tools and technology Learn with and through each other

Let’s Try It! Quick Images Demonstration Quick Images Demonstration

This year is an SSI year for Math and Reading. The students must pass each of those tests in order to be promoted to 6 th grade. The students will also take a science TAKS test. This is the first year that they will take a TAKS test on this subject.

Math TAKS (1 st Administration): April 4, 2011 Reading TAKS (1 st Administration): April 5, 2011 Science TAKS (only administration): April 28, 2011 Math Retest (2 nd Administration): May 17, 2011 Math Retest (3 rd Administration during summer school): June 28, 2011 Reading Retest (2 nd Administration): May 18, 2011 Reading Retest (3rd Administration during summer school): June 29, 2011