Shannon Bussey– Math/Science Stephanie Schrack-LA/SS

1. Welcome to 5th Grade!!!! West Intermediate Shannon Bussey– Math/ScienceStephanie Schrack-LA/SS

2. Teacher Goals • Support and nurture • Meet individual needs • Integrate learning styles • Differentiate curriculum • Keep line of communication open • Provide opportunities for student choice

3. Attitudes Respect Independence Commitment Responsibility Perseverance Self-discipline Integrity Honesty Attitudes of Excellence Enthusiasm Confidence Appreciation Tolerance Cooperation Teamwork Empathy Compassion Curiosity Creativity .

4. Attendance • Students are expected to be seated in the classroom at 7:50 AM. If students have more than 3 tardies a letter is sent home. After the letter is sent home, the student will receive a noon reflection for the fourth tardy. (per WI student policy book) • Please schedule appointments after 2:30 when possible.

5. Parking, Drop-Off, and Dismissal • All parents must park in a parking space in the front oval. The north oval is reserved for buses and we lock those doors after the buses arrive. • Parents may not park around the oval for safety reasons. • If your child is a car rider, please help us by doing the following. • Form one line in the oval for drop off or pick up. • The first car pulls forward to the stop sign. All other cars follow. • When your car is next to the awning, unload. This process allows about 12 students to exit the car simultaneously and take the sidewalk inside. • Then, as directed by our staff, we would appreciate the next available car (after the 12 have unloaded) to move all the way forward to the stop sign. • Please do not form a double line or unload through the parked cars. • PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH US. THIS IS FAST IF EVERYONE FOLLOWS DIRECTIONS.

6. Cafeteria • Meal prices have increased. Breakfast is $1.25 and Lunch is $1.85. Reduced student price for breakfast ($.30) and reduced student price for lunch ($.40) will remain the same. • Students retain their ID number through 12th grade. So, he/she will use the same ID number at JWI. • Money can be added to your child’s account at any time. It is extremely helpful if students give their lunch money to the cafeteria manager, Teresa Totty, first thing in the morning. • Please fill out the free and reduced form if it is applicable.

7. Thursday Folders • The fliers/graded work will be sent home every Thursday in a folder. Please remove the papers and return the folder on Friday.

8. Agendas • Your child must purchase an agenda in our office if you did not do so at Meet the Teacher. The cost is $5. • Please sign this every night. We will use this as a communication tool between home and school. • Also, students are to write their reading minutes in their agenda.

9. Flexible Groupings • Students will be in homerooms for attendance and specials. We will be rotating groupings throughout the year based on skill set and instructional strategies.

10. Homework • According to Marzano, homework is important for 3 reasons: • Practice • Prepare • Enrich It is the expectation that students spend 10 minutes for each grade they are in working on homework. Therefore, 5th graders should be devoting 50 minutes each evening to homework.

11. Reading – 80 minutes weekly • Writing in their writer’s notebook • Completing unfinished work from school • Practicing multiplication facts • Studying for upcoming tests • Playing Everyday Math online games

12. Parties • In an effort to maintain as much instructional time as possible, WI will not have “birthday bashes” in the classroom. If a family member wants to bring a treat for the entire team, they may do so during lunch/recess only on the following days. • Summer, September, October Birthdays – October 28 • November, December, and January Birthdays – January 27th • February, March, April, and May Birthdays – April 27th

13. Jenks Public Schools Curriculum • Mathematics • Everyday Mathematics • Science • Units: Floating and Sinking, Food Chemistry, and Ecosystems • STC • Literacy Workshop (Language Arts) • Reader’s Workshop • Genres: Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Realistic Fiction, and Non-fiction • Lucy Calkins Reading Units of Study • The Comprehension Toolkit • Writing Workshop: • Small Moment Writing, Essay Writing, Memoir, Poetry, and Non-fiction • Write Source • Word Study-see packet for all the different areas we will study. • Spelling for Wiriter’s • Social Studies • Units: Geography, Exploration, Colonization, American Revolution, Historical Documents, and Westward Expansion

14. Mathematics • Everyday Mathematics • Emphasizes conceptual understanding while building a mastery of basic skills. • Explore the full mathematics spectrum, not just basic arithmetic. • Based on how children learn, what they’re interested in, and the future for which they must be prepared. • Program Highlights • Problem solving for everyday situations • Developing readiness through hands-on activities • Links between past experiences and new concepts • Sharing ideas through discussion • Cooperative learning through partner and small group activities • Practice through games • On-going review throughout the year • Daily Routines • Informal assessment • Home and school partnership

15. Evidence to Verify Learning “The consequence for a student who fails to meet a standard is not a low grade but rather the opportunity—indeed, the requirement—to resubmit his or her work. “                                             -- Douglas Reeves We will look for the most consistent level ofperformance, not all performances. We should not hold a student’s earlier digressions in the grading period or year against them.

16. Letter Grades for Math • “A” will continue to be a compilation of work 90-100% (weighted scores) • “B” will continue to be a compilation of work 80-89% (weighted scores) • “C” will continue to be a compilation of work 70-79% (weighted scores) • “N”=not meeting the standards; a compilation of work 69% or below • The separate student objectives will still be 3, 2, 1.

17. Letter Grades for LA, SS, and Science • Students receive letter grades in all areas. • A: 90-100% • B: 80-89% • C: 70-79% • D: 60-69% • F: 59% and below • The separate student objectives will still be 3, 2, 1.

18. Form for students not meeting the standard Grading Period         1      2     3     4 • _____   I, ___________________________, understand that my current grade for Reading/Math Class  is an D or F  ( _____  % ), but will receive an “N” for Incomplete on the report card. • _____   I understand that my teacher is giving me the opportunity to complete/retake specific assignments for the expressed purpose of not making a failing grade. • _____   I understand that I have 3 weeks to improve my grade. All work, tests, and/or assignments that my teacher gives me are due on ___________________________ at the beginning of the period. • _____   I understand it is my responsibility to complete this work at home. • _____   I understand I must complete the work to get a good grade on it.  I must give this work to my teacher to grade on or before the due date above. • _____   I understand at the end of the 3 weeks my teacher will change my grade on the report card from an “N” to the appropriate grade after my work has been graded.

19. Science • Floating and Sinking • Food Chemistry • Ecosystems

20. Literacy Workshop (Language Arts) • Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop • Genre focus • Lucy Calkins Reading Units of Study • Students read and write daily!!! • Word Study • Read aloud time • Sustainable silent reading

21. Social Studies • Geography • Review Native American Groups • Exploration • Colonization • American Revolution • Historical Documents • Westward Expansion

22. Important Topics • EMAIL---- Please make sure to check your email regularly. This is our #1 form of communication. • Forms---All students will need to have signed handbook form, media release, and internet agreement on file. • Volunteers ----All volunteers need to have orientation training – even if just going on a field trip. Training information will be emailed soon. • Visitors ----All visitors must check in at the office. • Cell Phones---- Cell phone usage is not permitted during school hours. Once students exit the bus or personal car in the morning they should have their cell phones off and stored in backpacks until they are on the bus or in a personal vehicle in the afternoon. • Collaboration Days –--- September 29th, October 27th, December 1st, January 26th, February 23rd, March 29th • Gifted Testing ----The CogAT will be given on September 7-9th, 2011. Parent nomination forms are due by August 23, 2011.

23. Let’s Have a Great Year!