1. Curriculum Night 5 th Grade 2014-2015 Carl A. Furr Elementary

2. Common Core Standards North Carolina adopted the National Common Core Standards for ELA and Math. This is the third year of full implementation throughout the entire state. These standards match the global shift in education to college readiness by deepening students’ knowledge.

3. Essential Standards-Science The units that are covered in 5 th grade science now include: Force and Motion Weather Genetics and Heredity Systems of the Body Ecosystems/biomes Transfer of Energy

4. Essential Standards- Social Studies The units in social studies this year include: Economics—budgeting, division of labor U.S. Government American History up to the Industrial Revolution Social studies will be integrated into the ELA curriculum through Reader’s Workshop studies on historical fiction and nonfiction texts.

5. Math Common Core Place Value Decimals, comparing numbers, Power of 10 numbers, multiplication Fractions Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and comparing Mixed numbers and improper fractions Algebra Order of Operations and algebraic expressions Input/Output charts and coordinate points Measurement and Data Measurement conversions and volume Line plots Problem-Solving Strategies 8-step Model Drawing, TINS method

6. Reading Common Core Emphasis on informational text and literature Reader’s Workshop aligns to the Common Core by allowing students to go deeper with a self-selected text. Students are expected to be able to answer the following questions for all texts: What is the author saying? Cite evidence. How did the author say it? Examine author’s craft. How do I evaluate what the author has told me and how can I go beyond that?

7. Writing Students will integrate writing across the curriculum. There are three types of writing taught this year: 1. Argument/Opinion-based 2. Expository/Nonfiction 3. Narratives

8. Word Study Program This is the second year that Furr has implemented the word study program, Words Their Way. This program focuses on identifying spelling patterns, transferring and applying patterns to new words. Students will not have traditional spelling homework with this program, but are encouraged to study the spelling patterns at home each week.

9. Listening and Speaking This is a new emphasis to our curriculum. This will be met by partner discussions and book clubs during Reader’s Workshop. Students will also present projects completed throughout the year which will help develop these skills.

10. Reading Goals Grade LevelQuarter 1Quarter 2Quarter 3Quarter 4 3 rd GradeMNOP 4 th GradePQRR/S 5 th GradeSTUV

11. Text Gradient Clusters The level of the text increases in letter with an increase in difficulty. Being fluent does not mean that a book is appropriate for students—we must look at the content of the book.

12. Grading with Reader’s Workshop We moved away from the traditional way of grading with Reader’s Workshop. Students will be graded with rubrics throughout the school year. Sometimes you will simply receive the rubric rather than the work because it is located in students’ reading journals.

13. Assessments and Progress Reports Benchmark assessments will be completed several times this year—having just completed our first ones at the beginning of this month. Students will be assessed through Running Records three times a year formally. This will help students pick books appropriate for their reading levels. Discovery Ed will be used for common formative assessments throughout the school year as well. Smarter Balanced Consortium Assessments

14. Standards Based Report Cards This year, fifth grade is piloting new Standards-based report cards. These report cards rate students on a level of 1 to 4. 1-Below grade level 2-Working towards grade level 3-On grade level 4-Above grade level

15. Standards Based Report Cards In order to understand what the levels mean, Cabarrus County is creating Scoring Scales that will be available on their webpage. These will also be sent home with the report cards. Example of Scoring Scales for Second Grade Math Example of Scoring Scales

16. Sneak Peak of Report Card

17. Parent Conferences We will have sign ups for parent-teacher conferences coming soon. Most will be scheduled on October 24 th or 27 th as these are workdays provided for conferences. We will review the report cards again during this time and help answer any more questions you might have!