Welcome to Miss Clapp’s Fifth Grade Classroom

1. Welcome toMiss Clapp’s Fifth Grade Classroom Sign up for a conference on the laptop that has google spreadsheet up Find your child’s desk and take a seat please You do not have to write on the green form unless you have questions or comments. I recycle/reuse the form the next year

2. A little about Miss Clapp • I am originally from Kelso, Washington • I graduated from Western Washington University • Major Sociology minor Psychology • Masters in Teaching from City University of Seattle • This is my 6th year teaching • I am a fan of the Seahawks, Mariners, Sounders and Trail Blazers. My favorite sport is soccer. • I love to read, snowboard, go to Seattle sports games and watch movies. • I just recently got engaged on a family trip to Greece!

3. 5th Grade Goals • Create a positive atmosphere where all students can succeed • Engage students in a challenging curriculum • Prepare students for middle school • Continue to develop responsibility and independence

4. Our Class Schedule • 8:30 – 9:10 Attendance, Lunch Count, Excel math – basic skills computation, grammar/vocabulary • 9:00 – 10:00 Math • 10:00 – 10:15 Read aloud/Snack • 10:15 – 10:45 Specialist • 11:00- 11:30 Writing • 11:30 – 12:10 Lunch/Recess • 12:10 – 1:20 Reading • 1:20 - 1:40 Recess • 1:40 – 2:45 Social studies/science • 2:45 - 2:55 Planner and Dismissal

5. Our Specialist times • Week A • Monday, Music@ 10:15-10:45 • Tuesday, Art@ 10:30-11:30AM • Wednesday, PE@ 10:15-10:45 • Thursday, Music @ 10:15-10:45 • Week B • Monday, PE@ 10:15-10:45 • Tuesday, Library@ 10:30-11:30AM • Wednesday, Music @ 10:15-10:45 • Thursday, PE@ 10:15-10:45

6. Reading • Making Meaning and Benchmark • Mini lesson on strategy • Strategy pre-tests and post tests • Reading conferences regularly • Discussion with classmates about reading • Reading Workshop • Focus will be on comprehension strategies • 5th graders choose books with guidance • Building reading stamina • Students must read to become better readers • Non-fiction, fantasy, realistic fiction, mystery, historical fiction, biography, poetry • Small group / Guided reading Specific skills and strategies • Whole group / Shared reading Specific skills and strategies

7. Communication • Book Projects • Three projects throughout the year • Students present to class or small group • Report requirements & rubrics will be available on-line • Students will choose any three genres (projects) to complete: • Adventure (Fiction) • Biography / Autobiography • Historical Fiction • Mystery • Science Fiction / Fantasy Book Club Projects Due: December March May • Weekly Book Reviews • 5th graders will be assigned dates to do a Book Review in front of the class. • Current events • Students will present a current event from newspaper , magazine or online article to the class

8. Writing • Units of study • Paragraphing • Narrative • Fiction • Non-fiction- procedural, Explanatory, Persuasive, Summary, Compare, Report Writing, Essays • Writing Process Taught • Prewriting, rough draft, revising, editing, publishing • Grammar lessons

9. Math • Everyday Math Series • https://www.everydaymathonline.com/ • Used to be spiral • Now deeper and aligned with Common Core Standards • Xtramath.com-Helps child with fast recall facts • Excel Math Sheets • A daily computation based program • Students self-checking answers • Two boxes will be marked as late • MSP and Stanford test preparation

10. Science • Outdoor Education Camp • Experiments with Plants • Motion and Design-Design process • Science Fair-Scientific Method • Fossils • Science MSP Preparation • Designing Alarms and Circuits • Light, Heat and Energy • Family Life & Sexual Health – to be taught in May – optional parent preview nights will be determined soon.You will receive a newsletter.

11. Social Studies • Map and Globe/Geography Skills • European Exploration of America • Colonization • American Revolution • Constitution and Government

12. MSP • Reading • Math • Science • PLAN all vacations, doctors, dentist, orthodontist appointments to be before April 27th and after June 4th! • More specific days will be given later

13. Responsibility and Organization • Homework Planners • Assignment Check-in Clipboard • Morning Message and Check-in • Turn-in Trays • Monthly Assignment Record (MAR)

14. Homework Homework should be written down by the student in his/her planner. Check your child’s homework planner to see what the homework is. Review assignments for completeness and accuracy. Each night your child is expected to read for a minimum of 20 minutes Other work might include: • Unfinished daily work • Grammar practice – tests on Fridays • A variety of math, social studies, science, language arts or reading assignments • Projects Look over the planner each night (make it a routine) Talk about the assignments Stress the importance of turning in assignments right when they come to class, instead of waiting to be asked if they have the assignment Issaquah School District’s homework policy is 50-60 minutes a night for 5th grade.

15. Blue Friday Folders • Blue Friday Folders taken home every Friday • Parents sign the Monthly Assignment Record (MAR) and students return by Monday • Contains all completed/ graded work from previous week • Monthly Assignment Record with weekly work that is missing or corresponding sticker for 100% completion • Friday Folder helps everyone stay up to date on classroom progress

16. Grading I use the district standards based grading system of a 1-4. • 4= Exceeds Standard • 3= Meets Standard • 2= Approaches Standard, needs additional practice and support • 1= Below Standard, area of concern and remedial practice needed. • 0= Not turned in, did not follow directions. Formal Assessment (Grade) vs. Informal Assessment (Comment) vs. Practice/reinforcement (Star or Stamp)

17. Guidelines for a FOUR What Exceptional IS NOT • Being fast, neat, or just accelerated. • Just getting all the right answers. • Persevering, staying on task, or following directions. What Exceptional IS • Consistently performing beyond expectations. • Seeking opportunity to go further. • Demonstrating depth of thought and application. • Connecting knowledge or skill to another area • Applying knowledge for a new purpose. • Analyzing concepts. • Showing multiple applications and/or perspectives. • Teaching others.

18. USB Stick • This is a required item for all fifth graders this year • We use them to transport work from school to home and back again. • Will be useful through middle school • I recommend at least a 1G stick • Please put your child’s name in permanent ink before sending it to school. • Identify a safe pocket in the backpack to store it so it doesn’t get misplaced and is always available

19. Camp Warm Beach • September 25th, 26th, and 27th. • Camp meeting tonight immediately after Curriculum Night to discuss the details • Just so you are aware, Ms. Kusunose may be sharing your names, email addresses, and phone numbers (from Family Access) with the wonderful Camp Parent, Blyth Claeys, this year.  We cannot go to camp without the help from parents. Blyth and her team of parents are doing an amazing job.  If this is a concern, please let Ms. Kusunose know as soon as possible.

20. Classroom Odds and Ends • Student Birthdays School wide celebrations at the end of each month in the lunchroom. Birthday invitations should be delivered outside of school. No treats during class for birthdays, school policy. • Newsletters – Sent home via email monthly. Updates, news and activities send via email as well as posted on classroom website. • Snack: no candy/cookies/chips Quick snack break or working snack during our morning schedule. Small, nourishing, and easy to eat – nothing messy, or needing utensils. Only water in the classroom please.

21. End of the year odds and ends • End of the Year • Please do not schedule vacations for the days following the last day of school until after we are past possible snow days. • We tend to have snow make up days and your child may miss Promotion and Picnic Day if they are not here the last couple days of school . • PROMOTION & PICNIC DAY will be changing this year. The two events will occur on one day. Promotion will be in the morning, followed by Picnic Day. Promotion will be an event allowing students to say “good-bye and thank you” to parents and their school. It will be theme based. Picnic Day will be a fun-filled afternoon where they can spend time with their classmates for the last time! More information will be shared with parents as we get closer to the event.

22. Conferences • Conference Dates are December 4thand 5th • Please sign up for a conference time within the next couple of days on my website. • First trimester report card goes home with students on the day before Thanksgiving

23. Volunteer Opportunities • Every adult who volunteers at the school must fill out the WSP background check yearly! • Room Parent: There will be training • Makes parent volunteer schedule • Organizes parents volunteers for PTSA when needed • Clerical/General help: • Excel/Grammar Fridays: After Lunch (12:10) • Thursdays: General Classroom Helper • Health Label lesson from Pure Foods • 2 Parents needed sometime in January usually • Art Studio 9:45-10:45 Every other Tuesday • Library 9:45-10:45 Every other Tuesday • Lewis Creek Park Party/Picnic • Promotion • Photographer • Math helper • Reading helper • Please be sure to fill out your volunteer survey on my website

24. How can parents help? • Attendance! • Check the homework planner nightly • Set a routine for homework and a designated quiet working place • Have your child show you completed work if necessary • Read the Friday Folder with your child each weekend - Look carefully at the work your child has done - Read comments carefully and discuss them with your child 6. Hold your child accountable for missing work or poor grades 7. Provide positive encouragement

25. My Main Objectives in a Nutshell • Provide a safe environment for students to learn. • Help students learn the 5th grade curriculum. • Practice social skills to help 5th graders can use in their lives. • Prepare the 5th graders for middle school • Support my fifth graders and support their families. • I am your child’s advocate here at school. 

26. Before you go… • Write a note back to your child • Sign up for a conference time • Look at the curriculum books and around the room • Any questions please write them down on the questions sheet and leave it on their desk I will collect it…..or email me  clappm@issaquah.wednet.edu Thank you for coming! See you in the multi-purpose room for Camp information!

27. P T S A I S F Helping Students Achieve Thank you for our new writing curriculum!

28. Contribute to ISF! • Join PTSA! Help Students Achieve