1. Mrs. Astfalk Please read the story, Circle of Gold, while you wait.
Welcome to Fifth Grade
Mrs. Astfalk
Please read the story, Circle of Gold, while you wait.

2. Communication
I value the importance of communication between home and school. Communication may include:
Corrected work
Tests and quizzes
Website/newsletters
is the best way to contact me with the quickest response time:

3. Conferences November 23 & 24 Student-led: March 9 & 10
Family Communication
Conferences November 23 & 24 Student-led: March 9 & 10

4. Volunteering Tools for Success 9:15-10:15
Working with students during writing, reading, or math
Busy work/miscellaneous

5. Washington, DC Trip 1 Chaperone per student on bus
$50 adult, less for student, thank you PTG!
June :30 – 5:30

6. Homeroom Parents Mrs. Kurcon
Please sign the Permission to be Included on Classroom form in our room tonight.

7. Language Arts
Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Reading and Writing Workshop’s Approach to Literacy Instruction
Reading and Writing Workshops both begin with a mini-lesson, then students are given time to read and write and practice all the strategies we’ve taught. Teachers spend time conferencing with students, and students are taught to talk together about their reading and writing.
Approach relies on research that shows kids need to read a lot of texts, with high comprehension, in order to move up levels of text complexity. Workshop allows 30 mins. of reading every day in school.

8. Reading
Research shows a relationship between time spent reading and reading achievement.
Research also supports notion that students should read texts independently with at least 96% fluency, accuracy, and comprehension. We use informal running records 3 or more times each year to monitor students.
Circle of Gold
Please visit the link on my website

9. Writing
Students spend time each day writing which leads to greater fluency and proficiency.
Students are taught to brainstorm, draft, revise, edit, and publish works.
Students will publish a Narrative, Persuasive, and an Informational piece
Text Dependent Analysis – question, students research, taught to complete an essay

10. Grammar and Word Study Words Their Way:
Students are taught spelling patterns based on their spelling stage.
Students use word sorts, computer based games, and small group instruction.
Grammar will be taught and transferred to their writing.

11. Social Studies Textbook reading
Interactive Student Notebook which is completed mostly in pairs
Experiential simulations
Will cover Native Americans to the Constitution
14 chapters

12. Science Science is hands on, data collection, data analysis
Constructivist approach – learning occurs as learners are actively involved in a process of knowledge construction
All units are about catastrophic events - storms, earthquakes, and volcanoes
Science Fair – students are encouraged to develop their own experiment. Spring

13. Testing PSSAs English Language Arts – April 11-15, 2016
Mathematics – April 18-22, 2016
Teacher’s College Reading Assessments
Advanced notice for math, science, and social studies

14. Grading
Everything counts – tests, quizzes, projects, homework, and class work.
Homework is counted for being complete and on time.
We will hold an in-class review before tests.
Upcoming tests will be announced on website and through communication home.
Grading system:
EE – Excedes expectations
ME – Meets expectations
BE – Below expectations

15. Homework
At the end of each day, we and review the homework for the night.
Students are expected to take home necessary materials.
Reading – log 30 and write 3 Post-it Notes
Math
Writing – see packet
Kidbiz/Khan/Unraavel
Unfinished business

16. Classroom Community Glenwood Goals:
Be Ready – improve organizational skills
Respectful – show kindness to all
Responsible – self-reliance & active learning
Love and value learning

17. Class Rules & Discipline
Behavior Clip Chart
All students start on green
Students have the opportunity to move up during the day
End below the green, loss of recess, call home, or principal

18. Closing Thoughts Our goals for the children: solve their own problems
believe in themselves
work with others
grow academically, socially, and emotionally
set and attain their own goals
try their best

19. Thank you!
I am so excited to be working with you and your children this year and look forward to a year of learning, growth, and collaboration.