Welcome to Fifth grade

1. Welcome to Fifth grade

2. Academic Classes • Language Arts-includes reading, writing, fluency, word study (phonics & vocabulary) • Math–Investigations and Houghton Mifflin as math resources to teach FCPS indicators • Social Studies-includes Beginning America, Colonial America, Rising Conflicts, We the People: U.S. Government, & • Science-Rocks, Erosion, & Weathering, Electricity & Magnetism, Terrarium Habitats & Microscopes

3. Language Arts • Reading – comprehension, phonics, vocabulary, and fluency • Students will explore units on the General Reading Process, literary text (short stories, novels, drama), reading Science/Social Studies text, Ancillary Materials, and Functional documents • Read at home every night!

4. Language Arts Word Study: Phonics and Vocabulary There is nightly word study homework, focusing on the skill students are practicing that week Fluency – Fluency folders Do 3 one-minute timed readings of the passage. Your child graphs the best score for the night!

5. Language Arts Writing Types of Writing (expository/informative, narrative, opinion/argument) Stages of the Writing Process (prewrite, draft, revise, edit, & publish) 6 Traits of Writing (ideas, organization, word choice, voice, sentence fluency, conventions)

6. Math Some important 5rd grade concepts Graphing & Data Analysis, Algebra, Multiplication & Division, Probability, Measurement, Geometry, and Number relationships Math Facts Quarterly Fact Assessments in Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, & Division Students should be practicing facts daily so that they are able to recall them with in 3-5 seconds.

7. MSA – How you can help at home Selected Response A choice of possible answers Ask your child “Which would make sense, ___ or ___? Why? Reading BCRs Answer the question, give evidence from the text, extend or connect After reading, ask your child questions, having him/her explain why with proof from the text and talk about how it relates to something that can help to explain Math BCRs Show your work with pictures, numbers, and labeling, explain your answer using math vocabulary Ask your child to show work on the math homework “So your teacher knows how you did it!” Ask “Why are you correct?”

8. MSA – How you can help at home cont… • This will be the first time that your child will take the Science MSA. It is computer based. Just like Math and Language Arts, it is a timed test that includes selected response items and BCR items. If you have a computer at home it is a great idea to give your child time to type. • Science BCRs • Answer the question, give evidence from the passage or support your answer using science concepts and processes.

9. Classroom Behavior • Students need to be ready to learn everyday! • Positive learning environment: Encourage showing good character, problem solving skills, caring and respect • School wide positive behavior system of red paws for good character • School wide behavior system of moving clip for off task behavior • Move clip three times your child will complete a Reflection time out sheet during recess. This sheet must be signed and returned the following school day. • Talk about how to make good decisions to help students learn in a safe and comfortable environment!

10. Homework Policy • Homework is given in math and language arts daily • Students will write homework in their agendas. If students don’t complete homework on a regular basis parents will be asked to sign the agenda. • Unfinished homework will be completed as soon as your child arrives at school or recess

11. Grading Policy 90 - 100% A 80 - 89% B 70 - 79% C 60 - 69% D 0 - 59% F

12. Field Trips • ESSL in Frederick County (Februay 2012) Look for information to be coming home closer to the event. • Geology Field Trip – this trip will take place over two days. When we get the dates from the Outdoor School we will pass that along to you.

13. October 6th Picture Day

14. Breakfast & Lunch • Breakfast will be served each morning in the classroom free of charge. • Students will eat lunch at 12:45 each day. Lunch is available for $2.05. Free and reduced lunch forms are available. • Students can bring money for their lunch accounts. • Weather permitting, students will go outside for recess daily immediately following lunch.

15. Arrival & Dismissal • Students may enter the building at 8:30 and are expected to be in the classroom by 9:00. After 9:00, they are considered tardy and need to get a pass from the office. Students who are absent need to bring a note upon returning to school. • Dismissal will begin at 3:30. • Car riders will need to be picked up in the loop outside of the cafeteria. Bus riders will be called over the loud speaker when their bus arrives and will go out to the bus loop via the first grade hall. • Walkers will exit from their classroom door. • Students must have a note if their transportation or pick-up is changed!

16. How to contact us… • Notes in your child’s planner or communication journal • nicole.fisher@fcps.org 240-236-3237 • kim.brandenburg@fcps.org 240-236-3211 • amy.llewellyn@fcps.org 240-236-3216 • alia.dahl@fcps.org 240-236-3233 • nancy.hamovitz@fcps.org 240-236-3214

17. Questions ?Comments? What do you need from us to help make this a successful year?