WELCOME TO PARENT ORIENTATION at CANYON RIDGE ELEMENTARY

1. WELCOME TO PARENT ORIENTATION at CANYON RIDGE ELEMENTARY

2. Our 5th Grade Team Ms. Meckel – Reading / ELA Ms. Spencer – Math Ms. Vela – Reading / ELA Mr. McClain – Math Each teacher covers their own Science and Social Studies Ms. Lewis – Co-Teacher / Case Manager Mrs. Hanz – Resource Teacher / Case Manager Mrs. Hammond – Instructional Intervention Teacher Mrs. Poznecki – Instructional Assistant

3. Our Daily Schedule 7:45-8:15Enrichment 8:15-9:45Rotation 1 9:45-11:15Rotation 2 11:15-12:05LINKS 12:08-12:38LUNCH 12:40-1:00 Recess 1:00-2:30Science/SS 2:30-2:40 End of Day Routine

4. ACADEMICS

5. Social Studies American History – Our focus is from Explorers to the New World to present States and Capitals – Students will be required to learn all the states and their corresponding capitals, as well as the states’ locations. A letter with Quiz dates was included in the Meet-the-Teacher folder and on Teacher websites as well. 1st Quiz on September 15th.

6. Science Concepts Investigation Design Safety Physical Properties Mixtures and Solutions Electricity Light Energy Forms Weather and Climate Water Cycle Changing Earth Earth & Space Patterns Earth, Moon, & Sun Interactions in Ecosystems Characteristics of Organisms Life Cycles

7. We use our lab frequently to allow the students to experience science through interactive hands-on learning. Students work in groups to facilitate conversations and new discoveries. They utilize the Scientific Method when conducting experiments.

8. Science Lab Wish List Small Clear Plastic Cups Large Clear Plastic Cups Paper Towels Plastic Spoons Yarn Tin Pie Pans Gallon-Sized Baggies Quart-Sized Baggies

9. Reading / ELA Main Topics Making Connections Asking Questions Visualizing Determining Importance Inferring Synthesizing

10. Reading/ELA Homework Every Tuesday and Thursday night

11. Library Time • We will visit the library as a class to check out books once a week. Students will be allowed to use that time to locate new SSR books, Bluebonnet books, and read silently. • Students will be allowed to visit the library during class on a more flexible basis to let the students check out new books as needed. • Students have access to the NEISD digital library through Overdrive. Contact your teacher or Mrs. Gleisnerif you need more information.

12. Bluebonnet Books We expect students to read at least 5 Bluebonnet books by mid January. Students can check out books at our school library, the public library, and Overdrive.

13. Book Projects For each grading period, your child will be expected to complete a book project from the following list: President/First Lady Cereal Box Alternate Endings Movie Themes Message in a Bottle Each project will count for two grades!

14. Math • Flipped Classroom • All Students have successfully signed in through Google Classroom • Earbuds are highly recommended • Videos for Homework through EDpuzzle • Math homework is every Monday and Wednesday night • Study Guides for Unit Tests (These tests count for two grades.)

15. Math Our Math Units are: • Place Value & Whole Number Ops w/Algebraic Reasoning (8 weeks) • Fraction and Decimal Operations (9 weeks) • Geometry & Measurement w/Algebraic Reasoning (7 weeks) • Data Analysis and Personal Finance (5 weeks) • Looking Ahead to Middle School Math (7 weeks)

16. The STAAR TEST (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) Reading, math, and science are tested in the fifth grade. 5th grade is an SSI (Student Success Initiative) year, which requires students to pass certain assessments in order to be promoted to 6th grade. Math – April 10th Reading – April 11th Science – May 16th

17. Please check the agenda book for homework assignments. Homework is always due the next day unless otherwise stated. Binders will be sent home every Tuesday with graded work. Please sign the binder sheet and go over graded work. If there is a grade below a 70 please redo, sign and return by stamped Correction Due Date.

18. Electronics All electronic devices including, but not limited to Apple watches, cell phones, tablets, and i-pads must be turned off and left in back packs for the entire school day.

19. Links include: P.E., Music, and Art Students will have P.E. every other day. They need to wear appropriate shoes for it.

20. Agendas A tool we find useful in communicating between school and home is the Agenda Book. These are still for sale through the office for $8. The Agenda Book is to be taken home each night. Please review nightly with your child. • It is expected that every child practice the Leader-in-Me Habits each day. It is our goal at Canyon Ridge to produce student leaders. • Students copy the day’s assignments and are asked to self-reflect at the end of each day.

21. Misbehavior/Virtue of Responsibilitywill be noted by both student and teacher within the agenda book. 3 marks in agenda or less = E 4-7 = S 8-10 = N 11+ = U One office referral = automatic N or U LINKS teachers’ notes will be stapled in the agenda when there is a behavioral concern. These do not need to be signed or returned. Each note will count as a mark in the agenda.

22. Dress Code In accordance with NEISD policy, please remember the following when dressing for school: • No hats inside the building • Shorts must reach mid-thigh • No spaghetti straps • Natural hair colors only Please have your child apply deodorant as needed.

23. Grading Grades are based on the following configuration: A 100-90 B 89-80 C 79-75 D 74-70 F 69 and below Students papers will be sent home each week. The most accurate tool for keeping track of your student’s grades is the parent portal.

24. Internet Permission In fifth grade we do many activities that require use of the internet and videos. We video tape learning activities to share with the grade level, and we use the internet for many activities throughout the year including using the library portal. Please make sure you update your child’s internet permission through Parent Portal for this year so they can participate.

25. Birthdays Invitations can only be handed out when inviting the entire class. Birthday treats will be handed out after 2:25 and instruction will not stop. Treats need to be individual sized and easy to distribute. Please no cookie cakes.

26. We could you use your support with items needed for our classroomsthroughout the year. We can always use paper towels, sticky notes, dry erase markers and baggies (quart or gallon). Thank you for the donations received so far. 

27. Funding our Pool Party • To help fund our 5th grade party (including facility, DJ, food, etc.), we are selling shirts exclusively for our graduating 5th grade class. As well as, drawstring bags that students can use to transition between classes. There will also be a fundraiser this fall. • If we fall short of our funding goal, we will have another fundraiser in the Spring.

28. Field Trips Fifth Grade will attend two field trips this year. We will have one in the Fall and one in Spring. As the dates approach, we will ask for donations to help with the cost.

30. 5th grade is an important year as students prepare for the transition into middle school. Thank you for your time and support, Your 5th Grade Teachers