1. Curriculum night

2. Game plan for life HES is a special place where the EXTRAORDINARY happens! A place where every individual is COMMITTED to SUCCESS and WINNING AT THE GAME OF LIFE! We are blazing a path for the future by removing any obstacle that would hinder the greatness of our students. A path that will allow our students to become whatever they DREAM or ASPIRE to be!

3. Play One: BE POSITIVE! Always say I can, not I can’t! Play Two: BE A LEADER! Always be an example of greatness! Play Three: BE TEACHABLE! Keep learning every day, every day, EVERY day! Play Four: BE A TEAM PLAYER! Working together is ALWAYS better! Play Five: BE TECHNOLOGY LITERATE! Use technology to be more productive not destructive!

4. Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do! Be safe! Be respectful and responsible! Be ready to learn!

5. Because reading is a vital skill to be successful in today’s society, we believe that as educators, our responsibility is to design a reading program that will reach ALL levels of students and will be relevant, successful, and fun! Balanced literacy is a program that was developed on the principle that ALL children can read and write! It follows the gradual release of responsibility from teacher to students. It incorporates all elements of literacy and integrates other content areas into reading and writing as well.

6. Read to Self Read to Someone Word Work Writer’s Workshop Teacher Led Guided Reading Groups

7. 15 minute whole group lesson that focuses on a certain skill. Example: Theme 3- 15-20 minute groups where students read on their reading level. Students practice on the skill that they focus on during the mini lesson as well as comprehension. They also work on previously learned skills in other small groups. Each student has small group teacher contact daily. Each student has a vocabulary/spelling folder, writer’s notebook, reader’s notebook, and writing folder. We focus on a vocabulary/spelling unit for 2 weeks. Tests are every other Friday.

8. We use the McGraw Hill “My Math” curriculum which is aligned with Common Core State Standards. We incorporate math rotations in our daily math lessons. Teacher led mini lesson Small groups based on map score strands Real world math center (games, fluency practice, hands- on learning) You will soon get a log-in for your child to access our math curriculum at home. The My Math website is a GREAT resource. You can access homework pages, mini lessons, and games to practice with your child at home. Please practice multiplication facts with your child on a regular basis. Knowing your multiplication facts is KEY to a successful year in 5 th grade. Additional websites are available upon request!

9. We use an inquiry based approach to our science standards In 5 th grade. We like to do as many hands on activities/labs/ experiments as possible. At the beginning of the year we do an intensive study of the scientific method to get students ready for the science experiments we will do throughout the year. We explore the scientific method and how it is used in every aspect of science! (We are ALL scientists!) Other units of study we explore throughout the year are: Landforms and Oceans Ecosystems (Terrestrial and Aquatic) Properties of Matter Forces and Motion

10. Our social studies unit covers 1865- present day. Here are some of the topics we will study: Review of the Civil War Reconstruction Westward Expansion Industrialization-Industrial Revolution Immigration World War I Great Depression World War II Cold War Era Current Events Collapse of Soviet Union American humanitarian involvement in the world Irag and Afghanistan Wars September 11 th and terrorism Technical, cultural, & environmental changes in the United States

11. Model writing and reading…make lists, write notes, let your children help you keep records of events! Create a literature rich environment! Leave books, magazines, and all types of media around for your child to discover! Encourage your child to write letters, thank you notes, cards, etc. Have game nights and encourage active learning! Play interactive games on the internet (website list available) Listen to books on CD while in the car or at home. Have your child read aloud to siblings or to you!