1. Mrs. Brinker’s Fifth Grade Class Curriculum Night Curriculum Night 2011 - 2012 2011 - 2012 Feel free to write your child a note using the paper provided and a pencil from his or her desk. Clip art from Discovery School.

2. Introduction Brandi Brinker Brandi Brinker Voice mail 415-4470 Voice mail 415-4470 E-mail: E-mail: bbrinker@pkwy.k12. mo.us bbrinker@pkwy.k12. mo.us

3. Philosophy: Teach the whole child by building relationships Every child deserves the best education Every child deserves the best education Differentiation Differentiation Every child can be successful Every child can be successful Inquiry Inquiry It takes a village to raise a child It takes a village to raise a child  Helping children to feel safe, connected, and valued will build upon their academic success.

4. Reading Reader’s Workshop Reader’s Workshop –book clubs –instructional/ independent –graphic organizers –journal responses and discussions to demonstrate thinking –multiple genres Read Alouds Read Alouds - modeling - modeling  Reading at home 20-30 minutes every night.

5. Writing Writer’s Workshop Writer’s Workshop - narrative, expository, persuasive - writing process - writing process pieces we compose will take several weeks to complete - revising and editing - revising and editing goal is to encourage self editing daily work for spelling, capitalization, and punctuation - writing conventions (grammar and mechanics) - writing conventions (grammar and mechanics) - handwriting: legible - handwriting: legible Writing activities at home when assigned.

6. Word Study Mini lessons on strategies, patterns, meaning, usage, spelling Mini lessons on strategies, patterns, meaning, usage, spelling Spelling- patterns and principles, identifying misspelled words, editing all work for spelling Spelling- patterns and principles, identifying misspelled words, editing all work for spelling -accountable words spelled correctly in daily and published work -accountable words spelled correctly in daily and published work Grammar- mini lessons in writer’s workshop and word study Grammar- mini lessons in writer’s workshop and word study Vocabulary-introduced in all content areas, and infused throughout the day Vocabulary-introduced in all content areas, and infused throughout the day

7. Math Investigations Second Edition Investigations Second Edition - problem solving through multiple strategies - problem solving through multiple strategies - focus on questioning student’s thinking process and encourage multiple solutions - focus on questioning student’s thinking process and encourage multiple solutions - struggle is okay - struggle is okay - students will bring home unit packet frequently

8. Science Units: Environments, Levers and Pulleys, Earth,Moon,&Sun, Mixtures and Solutions Units: Environments, Levers and Pulleys, Earth,Moon,&Sun, Mixtures and Solutions - conducting a fair test - conducting a fair test - inquiry approach - inquiry approach Packets for notes, study aids, and science journal Packets for notes, study aids, and science journal

9. Social Studies History of United States (pre- Columbian to Constitution) History of United States (pre- Columbian to Constitution) - History Alive! - History Alive! - multiple perspectives - multiple perspectives - infuse reading, writing, and map reading skills  Packets and notebook for notes, study aids, process thinking, and creativity Packets and notebook for notes, study aids, process thinking, and creativity

10. Homework: An Evening Learning Opportunity Assignment planners: fill out daily Assignment planners: fill out daily Classroom website Classroom website 45 min. - 1 hour nightly including 20-30 minutes of reading 45 min. - 1 hour nightly including 20-30 minutes of reading Try, try, try- it is learning, not mastery Try, try, try- it is learning, not mastery Homework/absence procedures Homework/absence procedures Success cards Success cards Monday papers Monday papers

11. 11 Class Webpage Assignments posted Assignments posted What is going on in the classroom/school What is going on in the classroom/school Upcoming dates/events Upcoming dates/events Helpful links Helpful links Email Link Email Link Access through Parkway School District or Mason Ridge website. Access through Parkway School District or Mason Ridge website. http://www.pkwy.k12.mo.us

12. Special Fifth Grade Activities  Arts Partners: Colonial Life March 6-9th  African Drumming: November 18 th  JA BizTown October 20 th (sign up to volunteer)  Shaw Nature Reserve September 8 th (sign up to volunteer)  Spring Service Learning (volunteers needed)  End of the year events

13. Parent-Teacher Conferences Nov. 15 and 17, 2011 Nov. 15 and 17, 2011 March 6 and 8, 2012 March 6 and 8, 2012 Please sign up in the Ramsey Center. Let me know if you need a different time if times are not available those days.

14. 14 Thank you! I look forward to working with you and your child throughout the year! I look forward to working with you and your child throughout the year!