A is for Accelerated Reader

1. A is for Accelerated Reader Please see website for more information! A also stands for announcements. Remember to stand for pledge and remain standing for patriotic song.

2. B is for buddies and band/orchestra • We are buddies with Mrs. Sell’s first grade! • Band/orchestra lesson schedule will be posted in the room. You need to fill out a slip before leaving the room and place it in the pocket. When you come to me on the morning of your lesson, I will be able to tell you what you’ll be missing. • Books (reading text, s.studies, and math SRB) need to be covered and stay that way! By Monday, Sept. 9th, please be sure that this is done.

3. C is for Closets and cough drops • We have two closets and the belongings of 26 people! As a class we will need to determine the best way to use the space we have. We could have a boys closet and a girls closet or we could go in numerical order or have an early and later closet. • Cough drops are fine to have at home, but in school we recommend having a water bottle at your desk for those “tickles” in your throat or minor coughs. The nurse wants to prevent any choking hazards.

4. D is for desks • Once a week, I will ask that each person wipe down their desk (inside and on top). Keep the area around your desk free of clutter so that no one slips or trips on your belongings.

5. E is for entering/exiting the class • Unless an adult is in the room, you are not permitted in the room. • You need permission to leave the room. Even though you will place the hand sanitizer bottle on your desk when going to the bathroom, you must still record your time out/in on the lav sheet. • When you first arrive in the morning, please put your belongings away NEATLY in the closet and check to see if you have any a.m. seatwork. Make sure your pencils are sharpened and all things I need to see are in my INBOX!

6. F is for fire drills or other drills and field trips • Safety is a priority. We’ll practice our route/exit plan the very first day. You will remain silent on the way out and on the way indoors. This is so that you can hear instructions easily. • For drills other than fire, please listen carefully for the teacher’s instructions on where to go and what to do. • We usually go in spring to Peter Wentz Farmstead for our field trip. We also take two mini trips to the planetarium.

7. G is for gum chewing • I LOVE gum, but it is only ok to chew it outside of school. Enjoy your gum before or after school please!

8. H is for homework • Homework is typically handled three ways. • It is collected and checked by me. I may return it to you or keep it for future reference. • It is self-checked with guidance from me. It is yours to keep and study from. • It is handed in to me and graded. Missing or incomplete assignments will be tracked. Record your assignments using our class agenda as your model.

9. I is for… • I will count backwards from 10 when I need to get your attention quickly. • Independent reading state requirements say that you need to read 25 books per year. Make sure you always have a book handy to read. Throughout the year, we will be asking you to report/reflect on a book of your choice.

10. J is for jobs around the class • We all are responsible for keeping our floor and closets clean. • I will rotate weekly helpers. Couriers take things to the office, library, other classes, etc… Supplies director will help distribute papers and other materials. Troubleshooter will help fill in for anyone who is absent, pick teams if we’re playing a game, and generally assist the teacher.

11. K is for Keeping hands to yourself • Keeping your hands to yourself is especially important when we switch classes. If you are in another fifth grade room, you need to keep your hands out of the desk you are borrowing for that time.

12. L is for life long learning • Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will! None of us knows everything and we’re works in progress. Let’s learn together!

13. M is for magnets • Please leave the door magnets where I place them. Moving them can leave us locked out and that will not be good.

14. N is for Name and negativity • Name on your paper! No name= minus 1 point in first trimester, minus 2 points in second term, and so on. • Negative attitudes are unwelcome in our room. While not everything might suit us, we need to make the best of it and keep our outlook positive.

15. O is for Organization • Organization is a key element to becoming a successful, independent learner. You decide if you want separate folders for each subject or one or two 3 ring binders with dividers. You have to feel comfortable with the method of organization you opt for and I can gladly make suggestions, but it is going to be in your best interest to pick one that works for you and use it.

16. P is for pencils • Number 2 pencils are a must in 5th grade! Several of our assessments are computer scored and that lead is the only acceptable brand. Make sure you sharpen your pencils either at the beginning of the day or the end of the day.

17. Q is for quiet • It is important to be traveling the halls in a quiet manner so that no one is disrupted. • In the room when we’re trying to accomplish individual work, it is critical that we are quiet. Some people find it very difficult to concentrate when fellow classmates are making noise or talking.

18. R is for RECESS • A fun and relaxing part of the day! Please feel free to use some or all of the time on any given day to seek extra help. One fifth grade teacher will usually be available to stay indoors and lend you a helping hand. If, for any other reason, you need to remain inside while the rest of us go out, please report directly to the “recess room”.

19. S is for Seating and schedules • On Free Fridays, we’d like to be able to offer you the opportunity to pick your own seat in the cafeteria. Please see the class chart for our designated tables. • We will try to switch seats on a monthly basis. In part, your actions/needs will dictate where it is best for you to sit in our room. • The webpage has our schedule on it. I can also offer you a paper copy to keep at your desk if that helps you. I will post the Day number and special each day.

20. T is for Toys and play things • Toys, play objects, and gadgets are best left at home. You wouldn’t want something possibly getting lost or broken. You need to be able to fully concentrate and not feel distracted by certain items.

21. U is for Understanding • Understanding is key! Please ask questions using the Post-It note method and raising you hand. I do not read minds and may mistakenly think you understand something when you actually do not. Don’t stay in the dark!

22. V is for voice level • Frequently we work in small groups at the table or in stations and it is necessary for us to monitor our voice level. Outside voices are fine outdoors, but I should not hear you above everyone else or your group’s voices above all the others.

23. W is for Water bottles • Water is good for us! Getting up and down to get a quick drink from the fountain may be better handled if you keep a water dispenser at your desk. Please make sure it only contains water and the container is marked with your name. So that we avoid spills, please be sure that the lid is secure!

24. X and Y and Z are for… • eXcuses ~It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one. Don’t make excuses for your choices, make good! • YOU! The one thing you can do better than anyone else is be yourself! You are an original and I am happy you are in this class. • ZZZZ~sleep plays an important role in memory. Lack of adequate sleep affects mood, motivation, and our perception of events. Please get your ZZZZs!