1. 2014-2015 MRS. DAW MRS. KAST Blanche Sims Elementary Fifth Grade

2. Reader’s Workshop Reader’s Workshop consists of daily minilessons, conferences, and self-selected reading time. Students will write responses to reflect upon their reading. We also practice fluency two days each week. Units covered in fifth grade:  Building a Reading Life  Navigating Nonfiction in Expository Text  Navigating Nonfiction in Narrative and Hybrid Text  Following Characters into Meaning  Tackling Complex Texts (Historical Fiction)  Fantasy

3. Writer’s Workshop Writing is taught daily through minilessons, conferences and independent writing time. The writing process steps include: brainstorming, drafting, conferencing, revising, editing, publishing. Units covered in fifth grade:  Narrative Craft  The Lens of History: Research Reports  Shaping Texts  The Research-Based Argument Essay

4. Words Their Way Students are assessed at the beginning of the school year and grouped based upon knowledge of spelling patterns and current spelling stage. New pattern lists will be distributed on Mondays. Different sorting activities and assignments are given throughout two weeks to help the students focus on word structure and spelling patterns, rather than memorization of words. Every other Friday, students will be assessed on spelling pattern lists.

5. Mathematics The district adopted the Math Expressions program last school year. Students have a Student Activity workbook and a Homework and Remembering book. Students have access at home to Think Central. Scholastic Study Jams has many free videos that teach concepts step by step. Learnzillion is another recommended website for teaching and reviewing mathematical concepts.

6. Mathematics Fifth grade mathematics units: Addition and Subtraction with Fractions Addition and Subtraction with Decimals Multiplication and Division with Fractions Multiplication with Whole Numbers and Decimals Division with Whole Numbers and Decimals Operations and Word Problems Algebra, Patterns, and Coordinate Graphs Measurement and Geometry

7. Social Studies Student will use the Social Studies Alive program and weekly atlas skill practice. We will study the first Americans through the Constitution. Topics: Geography of the United States American Indians and Cultural Regions European Exploration Colonies Slavery American Revolution

8. Science Students will learn science concepts through experiments, simulations, projects, textbooks and Science Studies Weekly newspapers. Units to be covered in fifth grade: Forces, Motion and Energy Adaptation and Survival Measurement Heredity Ecosystems Human Impact on our Environment

9. Intervention Students are grouped for Intervention, or I-Time, four days a week. Groups are fluid and change based on students’ needs. The purpose of I-Time is to assist those who need extra help in an area, and to challenge those who are strong academically. Students will be taking the AIMSweb Fluency assessment and Math MCOMP assessment this week. When results are complete, we will conduct grade level data team meetings with the school psychologist, Mrs. Knapp, Mrs. Goethals and other support staff to create an I-Time plan for the first marking period.

10. Homework Homework will be a combination of:  class work not completed during the school day  weekly homework fluency sheets which are due on Fridays  occasional specific subject area assignments (math, science, social studies activities)  20 minutes of reading each night Some nights there may be slightly more or slightly less depending on the amount of work completed during class. Students may ALWAYS access Think Central at home for additional practice.

11. Grading Scale 94-100% = A 90-93% = A- 87-89% = B+ 83-86% = B 80-82% = B- 77-79% = C+ 73-76% = C 70-72% = C- 67-69% = D+ 63-66% = D 60-62% = D- 0-59% = E Graded papers will be sent home in the green Teacher/Parent Communication folder each Friday.

12. School Wide Discipline Policy All students receive daily minilessons on behavior expectations. Class meetings take place daily in every classroom. Also, students are expected to use the Kind Reminder Process when faced with a peer issue. Discipline procedures:  Step 1—Warning  Step 2—Self-monitoring spot for five minutes  Step 3—Move to buddy classroom to complete “think sheet.” Parents are asked to sign the sheet and return it to school.  Step 4—Removal from classroom and immediate lesson on the behavior. Lessons repeated for three days by team member and teacher.  Students will receive a notification note which requires a parent signature if they reach Steps 2-4.

13. Classroom Economy Program We have created a classroom economy system in all students have jobs and receive pay each week. Each month, there will be a “Sale Day” in which students may purchase from a list of items. Students may also earn additional pay for good behavior choices. Students may also be assigned fines when poor decisions are made. We are asking for parent donations to help support this program. Examples are:  $5 gift card (restaurant, movie theater, etc.)  Box of snacks (Rice Krispie Treats, cookies, etc.)  Help supervise during “game day” if chosen  Prizes for the “prize box”  Donation of items if party is chosen (plates, cups, beverages, ice cream toppings, spoons)

14. Book Orders Book orders are sent home monthly. Books are sold at a discount price through Scholastic. Each time you order books our classroom earns points which are used to order additional books for our classroom library. Online ordering codes:  Daw GNMBP

15. Birthdays and Snacks Please feel free to send a peanut-free, wrapped treat or non-food item to school for your child’s birthday (we send them home with students). Students have recess and lunch at 11:55 A.M. They may bring one healthy snack to have in the morning, when needed, as well as water bottles. Snack examples: fruit, crackers, cheese, popcorn, etc.

16. Specials Schedule Monday: Music (Mrs. Henry) Tuesday: Media Center (Mrs. Manganello) Wednesday: Art (Mrs. Campione) Thursday: Physical Education (Mr. Luhmann) Friday: Physical Education (Mr. Luhmann)

17. Communication Teachers will send out a weekly newsletter each Friday which includes important dates and curriculum information. Teachers check student logs on a daily basis; you may see a message written in your child’s log, or you may write one to your child’s teacher. School phone number: (248) 693-5460. Email is checked throughout the day. kkast1@lakeorion.k12.mi.us ddaw@lakeorion.k12.mi.us