Welcome to 5th grade at Endeavor Charter School!

1. Welcome to 5th grade at Endeavor Charter School!

2. WELCOME! • It is a new year with lots of changes. • We will all work together as a team to make this a positive and seamless transition. • Communication and effort are essential elements for your child’s success.

3. Meet the Teachers • Ashley Jacot teaches Reading and Writing • Sarah McConnell teaches Math • Suzanne Whisnant teaches Science and Social Studies

4. Mrs. Jacot’s Class • My name is Ashley Jacot. This is my third year at Endeavor and I teach reading and writing. • Students will have nightly homework that includes reading 20 minutes, a Study Island or WallWisher assignment most weeks in reading and/or writing, DGP, and class appropriate homework as required, such as book club.

5. Mrs. Jacot’s Class, Cont’d • We do two major units of study in each class per quarter. We will have a quiz and test for each unit. These will be announced in advance and a study guide will be provided. • A typical class includes a mini lesson, partner work, small group work, and an independent task. Students will work with me independently each day. Each day in reading, students will have some independent reading time. In writing, students will have some free writing time.

6. Mrs. McConnell’s Class • Hello Fifth Grade Families! This is my second year teaching fifth grade math at Endeavor. I love teaching math and am looking forward to sharing some fun math with your students. • In my math class, homework will include Reflex math fluency practice, typing homework, and Study Island review lessons. Occasionally there will also be a review worksheet. There will be timed multiplication and division facts quizzes each quarter, in addition to two content quizzes and two tests per quarter.

7. Mrs. McConnell’s Class, Cont’d • A typical class begins with whole group work and moves into small group, partner and independent work. We learn by doing, using concrete manipulativesand pictures, and by explaining our solutions to problems verbally and in writing.

8. Mrs. Whisnant’s Class • I am in my 16th year of teaching and am entering my fourth year at Endeavor as the 5th grade science and social studies teacher. I have taught all grade levels within my K-6 certification and thoroughly enjoy the 5th grade child. • Science instruction centers around the use of an interactive notebook that includes notes and labs/activities that go with them. The notebook has proven effective in that it serves as an instant study guide for assessments, including the science EOG required of students at the end of the year. Units of study include force and motion, matter and energy/properties of matter, weather patterns, structures, characteristics and systems of organisms, and interdependence in ecosystems. Homework typically consists of reading the science notebook, assessment prep and paper/project completion. • Social Studies is literature and project-based, and we will use an interactive notebook for that class, too. Our focus for the year is US History from exploration and settlement through Reconstruction. We will also use expository texts to develop reading/retention strategies. Homework in this class centers around assessment prep and project/paper completion. • Assessments in both classes average one every 2 weeks. There are at least 2 major tests/projects per quarter, including one essay and one poetry piece in each of these core classes.

9. 5th Grade Fine Arts/Spanish • •Students will have fine arts/Spanish on Tuesdays and Thursdays • Students will attend music, art, drama, and Spanish for 45 minutes, once per week. • There is a $5 Fine Arts fee. • •Student recorders from 4th grade will also be used in 5th grade as well. • •We will have a Fine Arts Extravaganza (tentative date March 11th and 12th) • •All students are asked to purchase a purple binder with 3 dividers for Fine Arts Classes • •Students should expect to have homework in Fine Arts classes. • •Band and Chorus are offered as before school enrichment classes. • Please see the Fine Arts webpage for information on behavior expectations, curriculum information, quarterly newsletters, and important dates. Feel free to contact finearts@endeavorcharter.com with any questions.

10. Lunch Coverage • Lunch 11:50-12:20 • Recess 12:20-12:50 You can sign up for lunch on the fifth grade Sign-Up Genius. We will be holding lunch in two classrooms this year. This allows students to enjoy eating with a larger variety of students. PLEASE try to join us for at least 3 lunches per quarter. This helps make coverage equitable for all families. We value this time to prepare lessons for your child. We appreciate your time and support!

11. Homework • Students will have no more than 2 hours of homework per night, however they will not often have that much. • Students are expected to have their homework complete each day. Assignments that are graded will receive a 5 point deduction for each day they are late. • Students will be asked to update their agendas in each class and in homeroom at the end of each day.

12. Quizzes and Tests • Students will have quizzes and tests in all subject areas. These will typically be announced in advance. • Students will take an EOG in reading, math, and science this year.

13. Our Daily Schedule • Students will switch classes for all subjects. They will have a schedule to follow. • The students will have five total classes. • Students will attend math each day. • Students will have reading and science on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. • Students will have writing and social studies on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. • Students will have fine arts for a total of 3 hours a week. They will attend fine arts for 90 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

14. Mon/Wed/Fri Schedule • 8:05-8:30 Arrival • 8:30-10:10 Block 1 • 10:10-10:15 Transition • 10:15-11:55 Block 2 • 11:55-12:20 Lunch • 12:20-12:50 Recess • 12:50-1:15 Class Meeting • 1:15-1:20 Transition • 1:20-3:00 Block 3 • 3:00-3:15 Pack Up • 3:15-3:45 Carpool

15. Tuesday Schedule • 8:05-8:30 Arrival • 8:30-9:28 Block 1 • 9:28-9:32 Transition • 9:32-10:10 Block 2 • 10:10-10:15 Transition • 10:15-11:45 Fine Arts • 11:45-11:50 Transition • 11:50-12:50 Lunch/Recess • 12:50-1:10 Block 2 • 1:10-1:15 Transition • 1:15-2:13 Block 3 • 2:13-2:30 Class Meeting • 2:30-2:55 Pride Time • 2:55-3:15 Pack Up • 3:15-3:45 Carpool

16. Thursday Schedule • 8:05-8:30 Arrival • 8:30-9:43 Block 1 • 9:43-9:47 Transition • 9:47-10:10 Block 2 • 10:10-10:15 Transition • 10:15-11:45 Fine Arts • 11:45-11:50 Transition • 11:50-12:50 Lunch/Recess • 12:50-12:55 Transition • 12:55-1:40 Block 2 • 1:40-1:45 Transition • 1:45-2:55 Block 3 • 2:55-3:15 Pack Up • 3:15-3:45 Carpool

17. Classroom Management/Pride Time • Pride Time is an extra recess that will take place on the day of fine arts. • It lasts 25 minutes. • Pride Time does not take the place of recess and is a reward. • Students can lose Pride Time based on conduct cards.

18. Conduct Card Policy • Students will receive a conduct card for the following: • A behavioral issue that has not been resolved by redirection. • Lack of preparation for class (e.g. supplies, notebooks, assignments, etc.) • Two total conduct cards in one week, will result in a missed Pride Time. • After three missed Pride Times in one quarter, each subsequent missed Pride Time will result in a before or after school detention. • Conduct cards start over each quarter. However, if a student receives two conduct cards during the last week of a quarter, they will be required to serve the missed Pride Time when they return.

19. Daily Procedures • Students are expected to be silent in the morning during arrival and during carpool. • Silence in the hallway and during carpool is a building expectation.

20. Behavior Expectations • Students are expected to follow all rules and directions the first time. • If students fail to follow directions, they will be given a warning and will be redirected. • If attempts at redirection are ineffective, students will receive a conduct card.

21. Special Events Field Trips • Sound to Sea in September • Three days, two nights • Study of Ecosystems • Jamestown, VA in November (Colonial America study) Other Special Events • Fine Arts Extravaganza in Spring • Day of Reading, Math, Writing • Discovery Term

22. Communication • Email! We return emails promptly. Contact us anytime for questions, clarification, or concerns. • Conferences are typically scheduled by request after first semester’s scheduled conference. ** Most conferences are a “team approach” meaning more than one core teacher may be present. • Newsletters will be posted bi-monthly on our website. Please read all the information written in these newsletters as this is the best way to communicate all the WONDERFUL things that are occurring throughout the year.

23. School Fees • Daily Grammar Practice Workbook=TBD • Daily Reading Practice Workbook= TBD • Fine Arts Supply Fee= $5 • Agenda= TBD • StoryWorks (Writing) Magazine=$7.69 • Social Studies Workbook=$6 Total: $ Check made payable to Endeavor Charter School

24. Supply List Page 1 • 2-4” Binder or file box for organization (See teacher samples.) • TI-15 Explorer Calculator (if not purchased last year) • 6 two-pocket folders with 3-hole punch (Reading - red, S.S. - blue, Math - green, Science – black, Writing – yellow; Tuesday folder – Decorative choice) Poly folders, rather than cardboard or paper folders, are recommended. • 2 - 1-subject “spiral” notebooks, red (reading) and yellow (writing). • 1 larger one subject notebook is required for science, not only by # of pages (100) but also longer and wider than the smaller basic spiral. (See teacher samples.) • NOTE: No spiral notebook for math or social studies. • 4 Marble Composition Books (two for Math, one for Writing, one for Reading) • 2 packages of wide-ruled loose-leaf paper • 1 box of sharpened #2 pencils (mechanical are okay if stocked with lead) • One small personal pencil sharpener or plenty of lead refills and cap erasers • 4 highlighters (blue, green, purple, and color of choice) and 2 blue/black pens

25. Sample filebox

26. Supply List Page 2 • 1 (50 ct.) set of spiraled lined 5 x 7 index cards (I have seen these at Office Depot.) • The following items will be used frequently and are mandatory for class each day. They should be checked and replenished throughout the year: • 1 zipper pouch for supplies • 1-24 pack of crayons and one pack of colored pencils • 1 pair of scissors • Glue sticks • Supplies for the classroom: • Baby Wipes (students with last names A-H) • Paper Towels (students with last names I-Q) • Hand Sanitizer (students with last names R-Z) • 2 boxes of Kleenex (from each student for their homeroom) • 2 pack of 3x5 index cards, can be lined or unlined • 1-2 packs of standard copy paper • Purple 3-ring binder with pockets and dividers for Music, Drama, and Art) • Art shirt (Optional)

27. Big Changes from 4th Grade • Students will have longer blocks and will operate on an A day/B day schedule (except for math, which is every day). • Time management is an important skill for all fifth graders. Students will be expected to be aware of the commitments they have in all classes and plan accordingly. • Fifth graders are expected to have an increased level of independence and personal responsibility. These expectations will increase as we move throughout the year.

28. When in doubt…. • You can contact us by email any time: Mrs. Jacot: ajacot@endeavorcharter.com Mrs. McConnell:smcconnell@endeavorcharter.com Mrs. Whisnant: swhisnant@endeavorcharter.com • Tuesday folders go home each Tuesday. It will contain important information and graded work. • Important information is also housed on the fifth grade website. • We post the newsletter on our fifth grade website every other week.

29. We are so excited to meet your children and work with them next year.