2013-2014 SCRIPTURE THEME:

1. 2013-2014 SCRIPTURE THEME: The LORD is my rock, my fortress, my savior. Psalm 18:2 Heavenly Father, You have made our children as varied as the flowers of a garden. You have blessed each one uniquely. And each fragile, growing child is infinitely precious in your sight. You have trusted us to nurture them and blessed us with the joy of seeing them grow. Father, we teach in reverence. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

2. 5A – Mrs. Sprinkle 5ateacher@nativitycatholicschool.org • 5B – Mrs. Gromak 5bteacher@nativitycatholicschool.org • 5th Grade Instructional Assistant- Mr. Dillow 5abassistant@nativitycatholicschool.org • Rediker, Nativity’s new on-line grade book • TeacherWeb Page under 5A Only • Links accessed through the school website

3. Mrs. Sprinkle teaches 5A Homeroom and SS to all fifth graders.Mrs. Gromakteaches 5B Homeroom and Science to all fifth graders.Mrs. Rodriguez teaches Spanish. Ms. Kelly teaches Music.Coach Lundy and Coach Callaghan teach P.E.Mrs. Hohlfeld teaches Art.Mrs. Ravins teaches Tech.Mrs. Winter teaches Media.

5. ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL • The school day begins promptly at 7:50 AM • Students should arrive at school between 7:35 AM and 7:50AM unless assigned to AM Safety Patrol • This will allow them time to organize materials, turn in homework assignments, and interact with classmates before the announcements begin • AM Safety Patrol should report to school by 7:30 AM

6. MORE COMMUNICATION: STUDENT PLANNERS • All students carry planners with them to each class. • Information/assignments posted on board and should be written in planners. • Upcoming tests/projects are recorded in planner. • Messages can be sent to home/school via planners • Packing Up Time: Students have time to use planners to guide how to pack books/folders • All assignments will be posted to the TeacherWeb daily.

7. EXPECTATIONS • Fifth grade teachers will give students verbal reminders about what to take to classes, what to pack for home • Fifth grade parents should check student planners daily and Friday folders FRIDAY FOLDERS: • On Friday, classroom newsletters, graded homework assignments, and important documents will be sent home.   • Friday folders will be sent home each week with graded student work. Please review the papers with your child to help reinforce learned material. • Papers do not need to be returned unless they have a “Correct and Return” stamp on them.

8. R.O.C.K and Olweus • Students were shown the PowerPoint on the behavior program implemented in our school this year. • Classroom, hallway, specials and Mass expectations are clearly defined. • It is a positive way to encourage our students to be safe, respectful, responsible and ready to set our standards for behavior. • Our Bully Prevention Program-Bystander

9. Rubric for Nativity Catholic School Citizenship Respect • has a good attitude • is respectful to adults and peers in speech and action • maintains positive peer relationships • respectful of personal, peer and school property Responsibility • exhibits self control • follows directions and does not need constant reminders • socializes only at appropriate times • takes ownership for behavior

10. Rubric for Approaches to Learning (Atl) Organization • prepared for class • homework completed • class work completed • punctual with assignments Collaboration & Communication • participates in class • attentive and engaged during instruction • demonstrates helpfulness and teamwork • seeks help when needed (from teacher or peers)

11. PM SNACK BREAK: • Fruit/Snack break is intended to provide a nutritious way for students to rejuvenate their minds and bodies during the day • Our lunch time is at 10:50 • Recess does not necessarily follow lunch as in the past. • If you choose to send a snack, please make sure it is a healthy one. • In addition, water is the only acceptable drink

12. Citizenship and ATL • 4-Consistently demonstrates stated behavior • 3- Frequently demonstrates stated behavior • 2-Occasionally demonstrates stated behavior • 1-Rarely demonstrates stated behavior Rubric grades for Citizenship and ATL will be posted every week for each subject area to be averaged for a quarter grade. Phone calls and emails will be utilized daily for behavior concerns.

13. CELEBRATIONS: • For birthday celebrations, children may bring in a treat for their homeroom class. We encourage individual treats, such as cupcakes, cookies, and brownies, as this lessens classroom disruption. • Please provide napkins and, if needed, plates. • Please let us know at least one day in advance that you will be sending in a treat. FIELD TRIP: • In conjunction with our units of study, the fifth grade will experience one field trip this school year to Enterprise Village. More information will be provided in the Spring.

14. MATHEMATICS • Daily drills of basic skills • 1 Simple Solutions done nightly; checked in class. There may be other assignments in addition • Pretest each chapter/Compact students • Pretesting allows teachers to structure class instruction to fit the needs of all students • Place value and money • Multiplication and Division Concepts and Facts • Time, Data, & Graphs • Geometry and Measurement • Fraction Concepts • Decimals and Metric Measurement • Graphing and Probability

16. SCIENCE • Nativity’s methods for teaching Science is in the process of school-wide change from textbook-based learning to hands-on/minds-on/hearts-on learning. • Emphasis will be a balance of labs and projects Assessments: • Chapter Tests • Lab/project evaluations • Study Processes: Use of graphic organizers to organize information and notes

17. SOCIAL STUDIES • American History • Pre-Columbian North America • Exploration and Settlement of North America • Colonization of North America • American Revolution & Birth of a New Nation • Growth and Westward Expansion • Geography • The World in Spatial Terms • Places and Regions • Environment and Society • Uses of Geography • Economics

18. LANGUAGE ARTS • Journeys Program • Novels: Frindle, Blood on the River, Tuck Everlasting, Bud Not Buddy, Where the Red Fern Grows • Writing is integrated into all subject areas as well as English grammar • Assessments will be varied. • Students will always be provided with a rubric • Check out Teacherweb page for specifics

19. Religion • Understanding and living the Creed • Understanding of the Liturgy and Sacraments • Living Christian morals and values • Daily prayer • Prayer Services • Adoration • Attend Mass • Seasonal Reconciliation Services • Stewardship • Read Aloud-Wonder

20. Handwriting HANDWRITING: • The objectives for handwriting at this level are to strengthen and refine the handwriting skills learned in previous grades, to develop a smooth rhythm which will allow increased writing speed without decreasing legibility, and, ultimately, to develop a mature and individual handwriting style. • Your child will practice self–evaluation throughout the year and will be assigned practice with difficult letter formations as needs dictate. • Cursive handwriting is required in all subjects except for Math.

21. LIFE SKILLS • Study skills • Social skills • Test taking skills • Group dynamics-Base Groups • Organization-Clip outside of binder

22. Homework • Homework is designed to reinforce skills previously taught • Might utilize computer • Review of class material should be done nightly – not cramming the night before a test • Religion and Spelling Assessments are every Friday • Quizzes may be both announced and unannounced • GRADING SYSTEM: Students will be evaluated using points instead of percentages. Grades will be classified as follows: • Homework 1-5 points • Class work and mini-projects 5-25 points • Quizzes 20-50 points • Tests/Projects 51-100 points Late work will be accepted with a penalty. This penalty does not apply to work submitted late due to illness or family emergency; please just let us know if something serious prevented completion of the assignment. (Please note, extra-curricular activities are not emergencies)

24. Homework Suggestions We hope that the following suggestions will help you determine how you can best assist your child with homework. If your child doesn't understand an assignment, spend a few minutes trying to help with understanding the purpose of the assignment. In discussions, let your child do most of the talking. By limiting your role to listening, questioning, and suggesting alternatives, you can help your child figure out practical ways of approaching an assignment and preparing to work. Don't panic if this doesn't work! We are in our classrooms by 7:30AM each morning and will be happy to give your child further assistance. Or, feel free to send us an e-mail explaining that there was confusion.

25. Help your child build good study habits by encouraging initiative and responsibility. You could: • Decide together on a good time for completing homework and help your child stick to the schedule. • Help your child choose a good study place. Make sure that all supplies needed are at hand. The study area should have adequate lighting and be quiet enough for concentration. • Support independent research projects by visiting the public library together. Encourage your child to become familiar with the many library resources available. At home keep a good dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, and other reference materials available.

26. PROCEDURES FOR ABSENCE • Students are given a reasonable time frame to complete work. • Students are not penalized for late work due to illness. • Communication between student/teachers is important upon student’s return to school. • If the work is not completed per the teachers’ directives, then late work points will be applied.

27. FIFTH GRADE ROCKS! • We look forward to a wonderful partnership this 2013-2014 school year