1. Welcome to Our Family of 5 th Graders! Were glad youre here!

2. Students, Teachers, and Parents Working Together…

3. Meet the Teacher Mrs. Hawley and Mrs. Allen Mrs. HawleyMrs. Allen

4. Mrs. Hawleys Family

5. Mrs. Allens Family

6. School is fun, and dont let anyone tell you differently!

7. Yes, we do have planners! We write in them EVERY DAY! We also have a classroom planner for kids to check if theyre absent. Parents should sign the planner, including the behavior, calendar every Friday.

8. Our Behavior Plan Our behavior plan includes ways in which individual and class rewards and consequences can be earned. A letter was sent home describing this plan. Your child will fill out a color in their planner representing how their behavior was in the classroom each day. Please check your childs planner to see how theyre doing, and dont forget to initial it on Fridays! Go green!

9. Homework Purpose Reinforce learning Help retain knowledge Provide practice Encourage self- evaluation Develop self- directed learning

10. Friday folders come home every Friday! Imagine that! They contain all sorts of important things, like: –Corrected work –Notes from the office –The current spelling packet Please review it with your child and sign and return it on Monday.

11. Ah, yes…. the dreaded … Missing Assignment Notes Missing assignment notes will be sent home every Friday. They will list any missing work for the card marking. If your child has missing work, please sign the sheet and return it with your child on Monday. (It would be great if the work were attached, too)! Those NOT returned will merit phone calls or emails from us!

13. Progress Report Cards will be accessed ONLINE!!! Sent home three times a year…. December, March, and June Conferences will be held on October 22nd and October 24th Please make sure to sign up tonight! A Student Action Plan will be utilized at the conference in lieu of a progress report card –Areas of strength –Areas needing improvement –Goal(s)

14. Grading Criteria Students papers will either be graded on a scale of 1 – 4, as this is the scale on our progress report cards, or with a percentage grade, depending on the assignment. In general, the new district percentages on papers are proposed to be as follows: 90 – 100:4 80 – 89:3 65 – 79:2 65 – below:1

15. Readers Workshop Readers Workshop is the organizational structure for delivering quality reading instruction. Readers Workshop is an extended time for students to read, think, and converse about books on a daily basis. The main focus is to differentiate, or personalize, instruction in order to accommodate the learning needs of all students while fostering a love for reading. Readers Workshop includes: A focused mini-lesson with the whole class about reading process, skills, or strategies (such as reading strategies, comprehension strategies, word work strategies) Students independently reading and the teacher conferencing with individuals Teacher instructing small groups Students reflecting upon and responding to their reading orally and in writing Students working on assignments relative to the mini-lessons Whole group sharing time and/or peer conferences

16. Writing is taught every day is based on many different genres, including journal writing, stories, poetry, personal narratives, persuasive essays, etc. It may require some word processing at home. If this is not possible, please contact the teacher.

17. Math We will be using the Everyday Math series again this year. It requires a GREAT deal of problem solving and THINKING! Family Letters explaining what well be studying, along with the answers to the study links may be accessed online on our website! MATH IS FUN!

18. Social Studies Is taught to both classes by Mrs. Hawley Units based on state benchmarks –U.S. History –Geography –Economics –Civics/Presidential Election

19. Science Is taught to both classes by Mrs. Allen Includes life, earth, and physical sciences Is a hands-on and textbook approach Help! exclaimed Mrs. Allen.

20. Field Trips Camp Copneconic: 11/6-11/8! Sign up to chaperone! Pizza kits may be sold to help with some of the costs. The cost for camp is $150.00 THERE IS A CAMP INFORMATION MEETING FOR PARENTS ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1 ST, AT 7 P.M. Mystic Creek Golf – Tuesday, June 3 rd. Any parent may go.

21. Little Caesar Pizza Kit Sales We will be selling Pizza Kits to help pay for camp. Packets will be coming home on 9/27. Selling is optional. Important dates: 10/2: Pizza Sale Begins 10/11: Pizza Orders DUE 10/17: Please pick up your orders in the cafeteria

22. Join the Fun! October 1 st ! The Fun Run is our only all-school fundraiser this year! Our PTA provides many wonderful things for our school with the money that is earned. Prizes will be awarded to the highest selling students and classes.

23. The MEAP test is coming! October 7 th -18 th window Tests on Language Arts, Math, and Science

24. Sign up for the COE newsletter! No more newsletters will be sent home! If you would like them emailed to you (as well as other important information), please do the following: 1. Go to the Huron Valley Schools website 2. Click on the ListServ link 3. Fill out the form with your name and email address. 4. Click on Country Oaks and any other information you would like. 5. The information will be emailed to you.

25. Please sign up for a conference, and camp, and take your Curriculum Guides!

26. Our Classroom Web Page Visit our site often!! Bookmark it! http://teacherweb.com/MI/CountryOaksElementary/MrsAlle nandMrsHawley/apt5.aspx Classroom updates Spelling words – including Challenge words Family friendly links to a variety of subjects And more!

27. If you have ANY questions or concerns at ANY time, please dont hesitate to email, call, or jot us a note. THANKS FOR COMING!