1. 5th Grade: Homeroom 301, Language Arts and Social Studies Classes
Welcome!
Mini-Introduction/Autobiography
Subject Curriculum – Language Arts and Social Studies
Daily Schedules
Class work and Homework
Field Trips, Clare Estates
Scholastic Book Orders
Web Site/contact info
Your questions

2. A bit about this teacher…
From Bucks County, Pennsylvania –23nd year teaching
NJ and PA Certified in Elementary, Middle Grades Language Arts/Social Studies, and Special Education K-12 (meet “highly qualified” standards in all areas)
12th year in the Bordentown Regional School District
Master’s Degrees in Elementary and Special Education. Bachelor’s Degree in Business.

3. Where I have taught /lived…
Pennsylvania – Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County – 10 years
Rural Alaska – 1 year
Delaware – 2 years
New Jersey –beginning my 12th year here in BRSD

4. Our 5th Grade Curriculum
Language Arts:
Writing : Personal Narratives, Research, Book Reflections,Interviews, Descriptive Essays, Persuasive Essays, Responding to fiction, Story Writing, Responding to Prompts, Poetry: Writer’s Workshop
Literature: Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Non-fiction, Biography, Memoir, Poetry and Short Stories: Reader’s Workshop
Skills: Literature Skills (main idea, sequencing, context clues, figurative language, etc.), Writing Skills (types of writing, purposes of writing, paragraph and essay formation), Grammar and Usage Skills, Spelling and Vocabulary (Word Study) Skills, Handwriting and Keyboarding skills
Social Studies:
American History: from the period preceding the American Revolution, to post Civil War Reconstruction, with additional focus on the U.S. Constitution and Current Events.
Geography: Map Skills development, learning the U.S. states and capitals, reading and interpreting maps and data.
Grading: New 5th grade report card! Should mirror the report card from 4th

5. Reporting out on Common Core Standards
Similar Report Card as in grade 4
Identifying the standards they are currently working on in course of study
NO Power School!

6. Class work:
Reading and Writing daily:
Reading Responses and Writing Responses
Literature Focus daily – reading skills, responding to reading
Writing Focus daily – Daily writing/process writing, editing and extending pieces, research, opinion/arguments, narratives, memoirs
Spelling/Vocabulary testing on Thursdays and Fridays, followed by alternating centers/activity days… (VOCABULARY – prefixes, root words, suffixes, patterns –whole class)
2. History and/or Geography daily:
Map skills check up followed by History Alive! America’s Past text and supplements. (some of this is online this year!)
Homework? Well… let’s just call it practice!
Some reading and writing DAILY –Your child’s homework will consist of completing that which was not completed in class. If there is NO written homework to complete, there is ALWAYS study, review and reading work to do. Reminders will be posted on the Web site. Please help us to help your child to enjoy
learning and to become a life long learner!

7. ALL Social Studies Chapter Presentations AND handouts will be on our classroom web page – all key points underlined!

8. Pen Pals: We are hoping to have a pen pal connection with either US soldiers or another class.. We will also be connecting with 3rd grade classes at CBS to share reading and writing.
Field Trips: In 5th grade, there is a Social Studies/Language Arts related Field trip –(this year, ours will be a history related trip in the Spring – a HUGE surprise!), and a Science related Field Trip later in the Spring. Please be sure to let the homeroom teacher know if you need to accompany your child on these trips to accommodate your child’s medical needs.
Clare Estates: We’ll try to visit The Clare Estate this year, to sing, visit and share with the Senior Citizen residents there. This is a good opportunity for our students to learn about the past and share their present with our neighbors!
Book Orders: We’ll use the Scholastic Book Clubs this year – there will be an online link for you to use as well!

9. This is a very important school year as we note developmental differences between 10 and 11 year old children:

13. How WE can Work TOGETHER to help your child….
Support his/her education
Foster a love of reading, writing and learning
Encourage questions
Stay in contact
Believe that we each have your child’s best interests in mind, and want to have him/her grow and learn
Continue to be amazed by these incredible young people!

14. Let’s look at my class web site…

15. Now…
time for
your questions…

16. Thank you for coming to our Back-to-School Night!
Please feel free to take home some handouts and feel free to contact me at any time.
Thank you for coming to our Back-to-School Night!