Back to School Night Mrs. Spohr

1. Back to School NightMrs. Spohr 2014-2015

2. Common Core State Standards • Back-to-School Video – posted on the Twin Oaks website • Full implementation of English Language Arts Standards • Emphasis is on preparing students to be college and career ready. • Greater emphasis on nonfiction reading.

3. Common Core Math • Place Value • Whole Number Operations • Fractions & Operations with Fractions • Decimals & Operations with Decimals • Geometry • Converting Measurements & Volume Graphing • Students are to be proficient by end of year.

4. Standards for Mathematical Practice • Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. • Reason abstractly and quantitatively. • Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. • Model with mathematics. • Use appropriate tools strategically. • Attend to precision. • Look for and make use of structure. • Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

5. How to Help with Common Core Math Homework • Guiding questions are designed to help your child think their through their math homework problems. • Math notebook – math notes & examples • If your child still does not understand: Write a note or email to me. Have your child see me before school. • Your child needs to use the strategies they are being taught. • Please do not teach them the standard algorithm.

6. Common Core Writing • Informative/Explanatory • Opinion • Narrative • Students are expected to score proficient by the end of the year. • Report card will show progress toward proficiency.

7. Common Core Standards -Reading Text Complexity Grade Bands (in Lexiles) Old Lexile RangesLexile Ranges Aligned to CCR Expectations K–1 N/A N/A 2–3 450–725 450–790 4–5 645–845 770–980 6–8 860–1010 955–1155

8. Lexile Levels of Books • www.lexile.com • Quick Book Search • You can also search for book titles within a given range. • Students will take a test each trimester to determine their reading level.

9. Class Schedule 8:45-9:00 Opening, Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, classroom business, daily academic vocabulary 9:00-10:30 Language Arts/Reading Groups 10:30-11:10Writing 11:10-11:30Recess 11:30-1:00Math 1:00-1:45 Lunch 1:45-2:00Oral Reading 2:00-2:55 Science/Social Studies 2:55-3:10 Binder Reminders/Clean-up/Dismissal Library: Monday, 2:40-3:10 P.E.: Tuesday, Friday 2:30-3:10 alternate Wednesdays 12:20-1:00

10. Curriculum • Reading – Flexible grouping, all 5th grade standards • Writing – opinion, explanatory or informative; and narrative • Science – Weather; photosynthesis & cellular respiration; matter and the Periodic Table; Next Generation Science Standards; Science Notebooks • Social Studies – Explorers and Exploration; Colonization and the American Revolution; Westward Expansion

11. Classroom Organization • 3-ring binder with 5 index tabs. Papers must be put onto the rings, not in pockets. • Binder Reminder • Pocket folder for reading group work. • No loose papers in the desk.

12. Binder Reminder • Assignments are to copied neatly and completely. • Binder Reminders will be checked by a classmate. • Parent signature nightly, Monday-Thursday • Please check for homework completion before signing. • You may communicate with me through the Binder Reminder. • Homework will be posted on my webpage. • Study buddies

13. Homework Policy • 45 minutes to 1 hour of homework daily, not including independent reading • 30 minutes of independent reading nightly (no exceptions)/Reading Log- Please do not sign the reading log in advance. • Contact me if: • Your child spends much more time than this on homework. • Your child does not understand how to do the homework.

14. Behavior 3 Personal Standards Be respectful. Make good choices. Solve problems. Classroom Rules Pay attention the first time. Respect the rights of others. Be honest. Come to class prepared. Always do your best.

15. Progress Reports • Every other week on Thursday. • Work will be attached to it. • Behavior mark • Sign and return on Wednesday. • Please contact me if you have any concerns. • Parent conferences – November 18-21 (early release days)

16. Grading System • 90%-100% 4 (Advanced) • 75%-89% 3 (Proficient – grade level) • 60% - 74% 2 (Basic – below grade level) • Below 60% 1 (Below Basic) I will drop the lowest assignment and quiz grade for each subject in each trimester. Spelling and grammar are graded within assignments. Accelerated Reader is incorporated into the Reading Effort grade.

17. Accelerated Reader • Your child needs to earn 2 points a week or 8 points a month. • If they want to take a quiz on a book for which there is a movie, they need a note from a parent. • The library is open to take tests from 8:15 – 8:45. They may take tests in the classroom.

18. 7 Habits of Happy Kids Based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People • Be Proactive – You’re in charge. • Begin With the End in Mind – Have a plan. • Put First Things First – Work first, then play. • Think Win-Win – Everyone can win. • Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood – Listen before you talk. • Synergize – Together is better. • Sharpen the Saw – Balance feels best.

19. School Rules on Bullying • 1. We will not bully other students. • 2. We will try to help students who are being bullied. • 3. We will include all students so no one feels left out. • 4. If we see somebody is being bullied, we will say something to an adult at school. Be the ONE to say no to bullying.

20. Technology • The Cloud: cloud.smusd.org • Email: first.last####@smusd.org(last 4 digits of student I.D.) • Password: Birthdate - YYYYMMDD • Writing and Google Docs • Research, Blogging, Wikipages • Presentations –PowerPoint, Prezi, Glogster • Some homework assignments will be on the computer: TenMarks, DreamBox, ixl.com

21. Biztown Field Trip • Date: Friday, January 30, 2015 • Parent Volunteers: 25 7:00 a.m. in San Diego • Fundraiser: Applebees – Saturday, October 18, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Tickets are $10, cash or check made out to SMUSD. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgGg_