We are glad you’re here!

Morning Work 8:15-8:25 Morning Announcement: 8:25 Reading/Language Arts: 8:30-10:00 Specials: 10:00-10:55; 9:30-10:10 (Wednesday’s) Snack: 10:00 or 10:55 a.m. Math/Science: 11:00-12:25 Lunch: 12:25-12:55 Recess: only on Wednesday’s and Friday’s (15 minutes) Science/Math: 1:00-2:30 Social Studies/PAWS: 2:30-3:00 Dismissal: 3:15

 Mrs. McLaughlin teaches Science for both classes  Mrs. Slimick teaches Math for both classes  All other subjects are taught by your child’s homeroom teacher. This includes, Language Arts, Reading and Social Studies.

 Students can pack a healthy snack to eat mid-morning. Snack time is always after specials.  If you would like to donate snack for our class, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you to those who have donated.

 Students write in the agenda daily.  Parent/Guardian signature required Monday through Thursday.  Agendas can also be used as a tool for communication between parents and teachers.

Homework: Math and Reading homework is usually given daily throughout the week and is due back the next day. Check the agenda to see if it is assigned. Other subjects such as Science and Social Studies are given as needed. Science notes should be reviewed at least minutes per night. Students are required to read a minimum of 20 minutes a night. Please record completed books on a designated reading log Projects may be assigned that will be required to be completed at home.

 Newsletters go home bi-weekly.  Included in the newsletters are the skills we will be working on for each subject for those weeks.  Dates of any important activities, fields trips and any other information we feel pertinent for parents to be aware of.  Please be on the lookout for our “The Fifth Grade Den”, Vol. 1, Issue 3 went home today 9/29.

 Superintendent's Reading Challenge:  Begins on October 1st (Wednesday)! Students who read 25 books before March 2nd will receive an award from the Superintendent.  The recommended books read for the challenge is 1/3 of the books should be Fiction, 1/3 of the books should be Non-Fiction, and 1/3 Student’s Choice.  Also, the schools with the most students reaching the goal will receive a plaque! We want to be one of those schools!

 Moving toward Common Core  Tests are more complex and challenging due to an emphasis on higher rigor.  We are trying to move to a paperless system. What does this mean?  1. Students will be required to do more writing and copy down from the board more.  2. We will not use as many worksheets to teach/practice/learn skills.

 Curriculum/Textbooks  Lake County’s curriculum can be found at lake.k12.fl.us in the Curriculum Department page. lake.k12.fl.us  ELA – Wonders by McGraw-Hill  Math – GO! Math by Harcourt  Science – Interactive Science by Pearson  Social Studies – My World by Pearson

What will the Florida FCAT replacement test require my child to do? Information can be found at the Florida Dept. of Education’s Website ( in the “Online Portal and Resourceswww.fldoe.org for the Florida State Assessments” link /09/13/talking-to-parents-about- the-ccss/

Once inside the portal, click on “Training Tests”.

 H.O.T Text questions (higher order thinking)  Multi-Select Questions:  Requires students to select all applicable words or phrases. Example: Select ALL words or phrases from the text.  Open Response:  Text Evidence:

 Fifth Grade will now be taking a writing exam in March. This exam will be a timed test and will be typed on the computer. The below sites can be used to familiarize your student with the typing process and keyboarding skills.  Typing Web Sites  Dance-Mat Typing  (progress monitoring component)   (search for keyboarding) 

 Daily expectations for your child:  Arrive at school on time.  Be prepared with materials.  Have a positive attitude.  Eager to learn.

1. Show respect to others and to school property. 2. Participate in class activities. 3. Raise your hand to speak. 4. Follow directions and school rules. 5. Work hard and do your very best. 6. Treat others the way you want to be treated.

1. No talking while the teacher is talking. 2. Listen quietly while others are speaking. 3. Follow directions the first time given. 4. Be respectful and polite to others. 5. Stay seated while the teacher is talking. Absolutely NO BULLYING will be tolerated.

 Please limit to as few as possible, but please do NOT come to school with a fever, even if you have given your child fever-reducing medicine. They will still be contagious! Students are responsible for getting their make-up work and completing within five days after an absence (checking out - next day)  Head checks are completed on Fridays and anyone sent home must be cleared through the nurse before attending school.

 If you would like to discuss your child’s grades, behavior, or have any concerns that were not addressed during this curriculum night, please sign your name on the sheet by the door and we can schedule a conference.

 Thank you for allowing us to teach your child this year. Together we can make a difference.  Please feel free to contact us either by agenda, phone call, or .  Mrs. McLaughlin  Mrs. Slimick

 We will do our best each day to give your child relevant knowledge, the courage to try new things, the curiosity to seek new answers and the ability to be the best they can be. And we plan for us to have a lot of fun in the process! “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing". ~Malcom Forbes