Welcome to a super 5 th grade year!

1. Lakeside Elementary Curriculum Night September 12, 2013 Welcome to a super 5thgrade year!

2. Language Arts • Language Arts consists of reading, language, writing, and spelling. • The Daily Five is a literacy structure that teaches independence andgives children the skills needed to create a lifetime love of reading andwriting. It consists of five tasks that are introduced individually. Whenintroduced to each task, the children discuss what it looks like, sounds like,and feels like to engage in the task independently. Then, the children work onbuilding their stamina until they are successful at being independent whiledoing that task.The five tasks include:1. Read to self2. Read to someone3. Listen to reading4. Work on writing5. Word work • Mini-lessons will be conducted in a variety of reading skills, grammar, mechanics, and the traits of good writing. • Spelling lists will be tailored to student’s skill levels, and word study will focus on spelling and word patterns.

3. Social Studies • Our study will focus on American history. • We will also explore our government and seek to the understand the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. • Geography skills will be woven into instruction also. • “History Alive” curriculum will be used to provide students with a hands-on approach to EXPERIENCING history rather than just reading about it. • A variety of activities such as simulations, projects, and research stations will help immerse students in the past.

4. Math • Students will be challenged in math to use critical thinking, and logical and reasonable problem solving. • It is VERY important to be working on mastering their math facts daily. Over the summer the students loose their quick thinking and sometimes struggle with recalling the facts. • Math will be taught to meet each students diverse learning styles. It will be taught in whole group, small group, and one to one instruction. • Students will make personal connections with how we use math in the real world. • Students will keep a math journal that is organized and keeps their vocabulary, study notes, and morning work. This is an excellent study tool for assessments.

5. Science • Students will attend science class every day • Students will be required to apply knowledge at a higher level rather than recite facts • Science will be taught in a variety of ways including hands – on investigations, demonstrations, use of the science text book, videos, and songs • Students MUST study for science tests • Students will keep a science journal this year. It will important that they not lose it.

6. Technology Objectives are woven into content area lesson plans Used for varied purposes – research, product creation, and practice – within each content strand Students will utilize a variety of hardware and software, including several interactive tools to enhance learning experiences

7. Grading • Daily work will be weighted at 55% • Tests and major projects will be weighted at 45% • Mid-term progress reports will be sent home only to students who have a subject grade of 74 or below

8. Homework • Homework and occasional outside projects will be assigned • Students will be given ample time to complete the work • Students should write down all assignments in their planner/ agenda notebook • Please contact the subject teacher with any concerns

9. Late Work • Points are deducted, and students must attend study hall for not returning homework on time • Parents will be notified if the work is not completed during study hall • 1 Day late = 5 points off, 2 Days = 15, 3 Days = 30 off • If after parent notification the assignment is still more than 3 days late, it will automatically receive a grade of zero

10. Failing Work • Daily work with a grade below 70% will be re-taught for understanding, but the grade will not be changed • Failing grades below 74% on tests allow for the material to be re-taught, and then an alternate form of the test will be taken • The two test grades will then be averaged, with the final grade not exceeding 74%

11. Assessments • District course tests • District benchmark assessments • Student-led parent conferences • STAAR- reading, math, and science exams

12. School Times • Students may not arrive at school before 7:30 • Students arriving before 7:45 should wait in the cafeteria until dismissed to their classrooms • Classes begin at 7:50. Tardy students are subject to penalties stated in the campus attendance plan. • Dismissal from school is at 3:05.

13. After School Plans • Please make sure your student is aware of any change in after school plans • Send a note to their teacher letting them know of these special dismissal plans • Should an emergency occur, please contact the school office in order to pass along the message (214) 496-7600

14. Birthday Treats • Birthday treats are enjoyed with homeroom classmates • Please package these individually so they can be quickly handed out • Napkins, plates, or other necessities are also appreciated • Due to quite a few food allergies please avoid nuts in any treats

15. Conduct • All 5th grade teachers have the same rules and consequences • The same incentive program is also in place • These were covered with the students and parents in a separate letter that was sent home prior to this evening

16. Volunteering We look forward to having so many of you help this year as part of our classroom activities, holiday parties, Field Day, our 5th Grade Celebration, and field trips to Sky Ranch (October) and Enterprise City (May). But remember, you must have a criminal history background check on file (must be filled out online- see Lakeside website).

17. Sky Ranch Date: Wednesday, October 9 – Friday, October 11, 2013 Cost: Approximately $225 per student less fundraiser deduction. Chaperones will attend for a reduced fee. Payments will be due in late September. What’s Next: * Chaperone volunteer forms will be sent home on 9/13 and will be due back by 9/17 by 8:00 AM to child’s HR teacher. No late forms will be accepted. * Background check must be completed to be considered. * Chaperones will be notified no later than 9/18. * Sky Ranch Parent Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 19th at 6:00PM in the Lakeside café. * Please attend to receive all needed information.

18. If you need us… 5A- Katti Henderson khenderson@coppellisd.com 5B- LeighAnn Abernathy labernathy@coppellisd.com 5C- Dan Thompson dthompson@coppellisd.com 5D- Melissa Warren mwarren@coppellisd.com 5E- Kelly Fischetti kfischetti@coppellisd.com • Also, remember: • Newsletters will be sent at the end of each week • Check out our web pages and student planners for news and other information