Curriculum Night

Curriculum Night 2010-2011 Welcome to 5th Grade

Switching Classes and Schedule 7:45-7:55 Announcements 7:55:-8:45 Specials 8:45-9:15 STAR time- (Flexible grouping based on academic need or 9:15-10:10 1st Period extension activity) 10:15-11:10 2nd Period 11:15-12:10 3rd Period 12:15-12:35 4th Period ***12:45-1:45 Lunch/Recess 1:45-2:20 4th Period 2:40-2:45 Dismissal *** Please note: This is different from original schedule. KH

Math • Emphasis on the four main operations including adding and subtracting both whole numbers and decimals. • Fractions and Probability • Geometry • Graphing • A major focus on problem solving and critical thinking will accompany all units.

Science In Science, we will be using Inquiry Based Instruction to investigate various science concepts. Students will be able to develop their cooperative group skills which is an important life skill. Through each of these units the scientific method will be the vehicle for learning concepts. Please ask your child everyday what they have in their Science notebook (spiral). This is a tool for what they learned that day. A short quiz will be given weekly to assess learning for the week, it will typically be on Friday. KH

American History • United States Geography • Library Research • Revolution • Constitution • Branches of Government • Major Wars and Events up to the present • Quizzes count 1 grade Tests are 2 • History Alive Program TP

Reading • Reading Certificates in homeroom • Reading logs • 80 minutes a week • Due Fridays • Count as one test grade per 9 weeks Uses a variety of high interest text including magazines, and nonfiction. Making connections with S.S. and Science concepts. Our goal is to develop high level readers who interact with the text. JCh

Language Arts • Spelling is concept driven. • Writing will appear most often through journal entries, creative writing, and content writing. • Grammar is integrated with the writing compositions and journals. JCh

Homework • Parents Role- Homework is a student responsibility. It is the parent’s role to make sure their students are doing their homework and if they need help, to discuss problem areas. One of our most important goals for 5th grade is teaching your child responsibility. • Homework is given on an as needed basis. • Reading- 80 minutes per week • Planners- Planners are filled out every day. Concepts covered in class will be written in pencil and homework will be written in red. It is important that you check your student’s planner on a regular basis. Websites are updated weekly. • Monday Folders- These go home every Monday. Starting on the week of August 30th , you will be responsible to sign the Monday folder every week. It is important that your students get home information that is being passed out to them. JC

StudyHall • Study Hall is a time set aside during the recess period for students who are experiencing trouble with a given concept, or to receive additional time and instruction from a teacher. KH

Extracurricular Activities • There are plenty of ways to get involved: • FAST • KGES • Safety Patrol • Student Council • Choir • Bank TP

TAKS • Test Dates -TAKS Math April 4th -TAKS Reading April 5th -TAKS Science April 28th KH

Attendance/Make Up Work • It is important to be at school every day. If possible try to schedule appointments outside of school hours. • Please send a note or call the office in the event that your students cannot attend. • Make up Work- For every day absent, the student will receive an additional day to complete make up work. JCh

Classroom Management • Behavior Book • Fun Friday JC

Contact information • Conference time 8:00-8:40 • Our fifth grade webpage can be found through the school website at www.gcisd-k12.org/schools/ges/ • Contact The best way to contact us is through email. Our email addresses are jan.cline@gcisd.net, kerri.hendrickson@gcisd.net, tricia.palmersheim@gcisd.net, jana.choppy@gcisd.net JCh

Grading Policy • Grades online- Sign up in the front office -Encourage your students to look online with you. • Progress Reports and Report Cards -Progress reports will be given out after the third week only if a student is failing or has had a significant drop in their grade in a subject area. -All students will receive a progress report after the sixth week. -All report cards go home after the nine week period ends. Please remember to sign and return with your child. JC

Further Important Information • FAST News- Sign up for district updates at www.gcisd-k12.org. • Cell Phones- All cell phones must be turned off and out of sight if they are brought to school. If you need to contact your student, please leave a message through the front office. KH

Further Important Information • Snacks- Please prepare snacks that are considered healthy for your student throughout the year. Chips are not a healthy snack. • Please remember that there are no visitors on TAKS tests days • Please refer to the Student Handbook at any time. JCh

Before You Leave • Early release days will be Sept. 22, 23rd. This time will be used to conference with you about your child’s MAPS data. We will send home notes as we get closer to the date. Please check with your child, and if you have a conflict, notify your child’s homeroom teacher via a note or email. • Money needed for class magazines: • Please make check payable to GES for $13.00 Please give the check to your homeroom teacher. Social Studies Weekly DynaMath Super Science Magazine Time for Kids/Bare Book TP

Curriculum Night