1. Mrs. Alison Bloom & Ms. Gail Davidson 2019-2020
Welcome to Fifth Grade!
Mrs. Alison Bloom & Ms. Gail Davidson

2. Alison Bloom
About Me…
This is my 2nd year at Greenwich Catholic School.
Prior to GCS I taught 3-5th grade at Pear Tree Point School in Darien, CT for 18 years.
My son Brayden is 14 years old and attends St. Joseph’s High School in Trumbull.
My son is Cody is 11 years old and is in 6th grade at All Saints Catholic School in Norwalk.
My husband, two sons and I live in Ridgefield, CT.
My classroom environment is built on kindness, respect, and communication among children, teachers and parents.

3. Gail Davidson About Me…
This is my 1st year at Greenwich Catholic School.
Prior to GCS I taught 2-5th grade at Pear Tree Point School in Darien, CT for 14 years.
My daughter Harper is 23 months old!
In the classroom, students and teachers are kind and respectful.

4. Typical Schedule 8:30-9:20 Reading 9:10-10:00 ELA 10:00-10:40 Math
10:40-11:20 Social Studies
11:20-12:00 Computers
12:00-12:30 Enrichment
12:30-1: Recess/Lunch
1:30-2: Writing
2:10-2: Religion

5. Strategies for Learning
Workshop Model
Conferences
Cooperative Learning Groups
Purposeful Discussion Groups
Media & Technology – S.O.L.E.
Project-Based Learning/Performance
Tasks

6. Reading Workshop Mini-Lesson Guided Reading Independent Reading
Gradual Release- scaffolding instruction
Guided Reading
Students meet in guided reading groups to respond verbally and in writing to 5 yearly whole group texts.
Small group instruction focused on developing and refining comprehension skills.
Independent Reading
Child-selected reading material.
Focus on choosing “Just Right” books
Annotating with post-its to develop thinking strategies
I.R. Logs – promote reading of new genres

7. Reading Continued… Assessments IOWA CogAT NWEA DRA 2 Chapter Quizzes
Reading Response Journals
Final Assessments
Three Book Projects - to be completed at home
Historical Fiction
Realistic Fiction/Series
Author Studies
Home
Nightly Reading minutes with
post-its to build annotating skills.

8. Writing Workshop Mini- Lesson Guided Practice Independent
Specific focus on writing technique
Gradual Release – scaffolding instruction
Guided Practice
Small group and targeted instruction
Independent
Writer’s Notebook
Explore, Write & Reflect
“Seeds” (story ideas)
Pre-write, Draft, Edit, Revise, Publish

9. Writing Workshop… Curriculum: Writing Pathways – Lucy Calkins
Narrative Writing (P.N. Essay)
Information Writing (Research Report)
Argument Writing (Persuasive Essay/Oral Presentation)
Assessments
Published Writing Pieces
Writer’s Notebook

10. Language Arts ELA Workshop – Daily 5 Activities Read to someone
Listen to reading
Work on writing
Word work
Read to self
5th Grade Word Study Program – Phonics
Phonemic code instruction
Recognition of common spelling patterns
Focus on decoding & encoding skills
Assessments:
Weekly ELA Workshop Menu
Weekly Vocabulary Quiz (Spell/Sort)
Vocabulary Journal (daily homework)

11. Science
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) integrated into Science curriculum
Hands-On Learning – Lab activities & experiments enhance our units of study.
5th Grade Science & Engineering Fair
Scientific Method
Engineering & Design Process
Curriculum
Physical Science (Energy Transformations)
Astronomy (Earth and the Solar System)
Human Body (Sensory Organs, Brain, & Nervous System)
Technology Integration

12. 5th Grade Curriculum includes:
Religion
5th Grade Curriculum includes:
The Seven Sacraments – powerful signs of Jesus’ presence.
The Liturgical Year
Daily Prayer Circle
Participating in Liturgy with GCS Community
Passover Seder – to deepen students’ understanding that all
people are God’s people
Virtue of the Month
ACRE –Standardized Test

13. Math Envisions Math 2.0. 5th Grade Math Curriculum includes:
Pre-Algebra
Fractions
Geometry
Integers
Math Workshop:
M: Meet with teacher
A: At your desk
T: Technology
H: Hands-on

14. Social Studies 5th Grade Curriculum includes:
Geography Unit: Map and Globe Skills
Native American Culture & Early Colonization
Early European Explorers to the West
Early U.S. Colonies/13 Original Colonies
Pre-American Revolution
Revolutionary War
U.S. Constitution
Van Cortlandt Manor field trip
Project-based assessments

15. All work should be completed in cursive unless otherwise instructed.
Cursive Workbook used to develop and refine skills in cursive handwriting.
Class work and journals periodically collected and assessed.
Handwriting

16. Routines, Procedures, etc.
Classroom Management
Homework Expectations
Birthday Celebrations
Specials

17. Classroom Management Positive behavior management
Examples are: “Warm Fuzzies” & “Class Dojo” prize tower, “Star Students”
Promotes teamwork and community building
Class Rules/Student centered
“Helping Hands”

18. Homework Folder
Comes to school every morning and goes home every night! “Best Friend”
Corrected work, student mail, and homework.
All school/parent communication in the homework folder.
Empty every night
“Monday Folders” with corrected and returned work should come back to school empty each week.

19. Homework Review of daily lessons/practice new skills.
Due following school day unless noted.
Reinforces personal responsibility, routine, and organization skills.
Repeatedly late/missing homework affects grade.
Homework posted on my webpage daily.
“Ask 3, then ask me.” Be problem solvers – call a friend if unsure about HW assignment.
All graded tests should be signed & returned next day.

20. Birthdays
Parents are welcome to send in cupcakes, juice, or a similar treat to celebrate your child’s birthday.
Please let us know the day before if you intend to send in a birthday treat, and send enough for every child (18), along with plenty of napkins, plates, etc.!
Our classrooms are NUT/PEANUT FREE! Please check ingredient lists carefully.

21. Specials Monday (St. Michael): 5B Music & 5D Computers
Tuesday (St. Catherine): 5B Computers & 5D Art
Wednesday (St. Mary): 5B Art & 5B/5D Gym
Thursday (St. Leo): B/5D Gym & 5B Spanish
Friday (St. Francis): B/5D Library & 5D Spanish 21

22. Questions, Comments and Concerns…
Please fill out the questionnaire on your child’s desk. On the back, feel free to share any information about your child you would like me to know. Also, please provide the address/addresses that you would like us to use as your contact on the clipboards up front.

23. Room Coordinators
In advance, we’d like to thank our Room Parents this year, Laurie Schick, Connie Harvey, Audrey Sepulveda, and Ellen Hamilton, for all of their time and support.

24. Thank you for coming tonight!
We look forward to a great year with your wonderful children!
*Please fill out the questionnaire about your child before you leave.