Welcome to 5th Grade Curriculum Night!

1. Welcome to 5th GradeCurriculum Night! Lindsey Elementary 2014-15

2. What are the school hours? • The earliest students should arrive at school is 7:30. • Our students will go to the gym if they arrive before 7:45. • School begins at 7:55 and students are considered tardy if they arrive after that time. • If your child is absent, please send a note, (not an email) the day they return to school. • Our students are dismissed at 2:55 each day.

3. What will my child learn this year in math? • Topics Covered • Homework – Monday-Thursday • Think Through Math

4. What will my child learn this year in reading and writing? • Our ultimate goal is to help every child feel successful by becoming critical thinkers, problem solvers, and avid readers and writers. • We will use the district-wide Units of Study for reading and writing as we plan our lessons. • Reading/ Writing Projects this year: • Research on a given topic – related to social studies • Six Flags Reading Challenge in the spring

5. What will my child learn this year in social studies? • Students will have the chance to discuss important events throughout American history, analyze them, write about them, and participate in activities that bring history alive. • Social Studies projects this year: • States and Capitals • Veteran’s Day Celebration – Nov. 7th • United States Constitution • Current Events

6. What will my child learn this year in science? • Topics of study: • The Nature of Science (scientific method, safety, measurement, and tools) • Life Science (life cycles; ecosystems; water cycle, and carbon dioxide cycles) • Life Science (plant and animal structures, adaptations, food chain, food webs) • Physical Science (physical properties; matter; sound; light; energy) • Earth Science (landforms; erosion; formation of rocks; weather patterns) • Earth Science (Earth/moon characteristics; solar system)  • Independent Studies (scientists; modern contributions) • Emphasis on content and academic vocabulary. • All students will be required to participate in the Science Fair this year. The Science Fair will be in January. More information to come!

7. What is my child’s daily schedule? Helms, Paxton, and Pippen • 7:55 Announcements • 8:05-9:35Block 1 • 9:35-11:05 Block 2 • 11:05-11:50 “Round Up” Time: Intervention & Enrichment • 11:50-12:05 Recess • 12:05-12:35 Lunch • 12:35-2:05 Block 3 • 2:05-2:50Specials • 2:55 Dismissal Clarke and Kelley • 7:55 Announcements • 8:05-10:20 Block 1 • 10:20-11:05 Block 2 • 11:05-11:50 “Round Up” Time: Intervention & Enrichment • 11:50-12:05 Recess • 12:05-12:35 Lunch • 12:35-2:05 Block 2 • 2:05-2:50 Specials • 2:55 Dismissal

8. Will my child have homework this year? • We believe in homework at Lindsey Elementary! • We promise that homework will… • Comply to district guidelines concerning the recommended number of minutes students should spend completing homework – 10 minutes x student’s grade level • Will NOT include new content, but will be an opportunity to practice skills we’re teaching in class

9. 5th Grade Homework Expectations • Science Homework- occasionally • Math Homework- M-TH • Reading Homework- 20 mins each night • The students write down in their agenda each day. They record the focus of our class and the homework.

10. How can I support my child’s learning at home? • Encourage your child to put his school materials in the same place every day. • Check your child’s agenda daily . • Establish a "homework-comes-first" policy. • Set limits on your child's television watching. • Tell your child that you expect him to write down all assignments in his agenda. • Have your child do the harder assignments earlier in the evening when he is most alert. • Put up a checklist in a prominent place to remind your child of materials to be brought to school daily. • Mark on the family calendar tests, projects, and important school activities. • Have your child put all school materials inside his backpack before going to bed.

11. How will grades be determined for my child? • Daily work and homework will make up 60% of the student’s report card grade. • Tests, quizzes, and projects will make up 40% of the student’s grade. • Students may redo most failing assignments. • 10 points will be taken off per school day for late work up to three school days. • Late work is defined as any assignment that is not turned in the date it is due as long as the student is not absent that day.

12. How can I stay informed of my child’s progress this year? • Graded work will come home in the Tuesday Folder. • Grades can also be viewed in Skyward. That is especially important with grades that are taken out of science, reading, and writing journals. • Progress reports – Will Go Home on 5th Week of each Grading Period • Report cards – Will Go Home each 9 Weeks • We will schedule parent conferences after the BOY Benchmarks. It will be within the first semester.

13. What are the school-wide behavior expectations at Lindsey Elementary?

14. How will the staff recognize and encourage good student behavior? • Building relationships with students and a sense of community within our school are the foundations of our discipline plan. Prevention will be where we spend most of our time. Our goal is to eliminate misbehavior before it happens by communicating our expectations, modeling good character, and teaching appropriate social skills and problem-solving. • Positive Reinforcements • Teaching about good character • Bully Blockers Curriculum • LSTAR Coupons • Shout Outs • Positive Behavior Referral Form • Nine-Weeks School Spirit Rallies

15. Do Lindsey teachers view misbehavior as a learning opportunity for students? • Absolutely! • Our role is to assist the student in taking ownership of their behavior and see the consequences as a logical result of their choice. This will occur through our conversations with students after misbehavior occurs. • We realize no behavior technique will have a lasting, positive result if it ‘s not delivered with compassion, empathy, or understanding. • Consequences will be as individualized as possible. • Whole class/group punishment is not the Lindsey Way. Teachers will not withhold recess or other privileges from the entire class in response to misbehavior of a few or even many. It’s the responsibility of the teacher to determine which students are not following our school-wide expectations and provide consequences to those students.

16. How will school and home communication occur? • Daily folders/Agendas • Tuesday folders • Grade level bi-weekly newsletters • Lindsey website – calendar and useful websites • Lindsey Low Down School Newsletter • School messenger calls and emails

17. Birthday Celebrations at School • Due to the Texas nutrition laws, parents will NOT be able to supply the class with any food items in celebration of a child’s birthday. This includes cupcakes, candy, cake, etc. Another option that parents could consider is to send a goody bag for each student in your child’s class. NO CANDY will be allowed in these goody bags, but you could include items such as stickers, pencils, small “treasures,” etc. • It is also important to note that students will not be allowed to hand out birthday party invitations at school. Parents can provide permission for their email address to be shared with other families in the class. This allows parents to send evites and communicate with one another about birthdays, playdates, etc. The Lindsey PTA also provides a family directory to all members in an effort to encourage communication between classes/grade levels. .

18. Skateboards and Scooters • For the safety of our students, all skateboards and scooters must be locked up and stored at the bike rack.

19. How can I contact the teacher if I have questions or concerns? • Send us a note in the daily agenda • Email is the quickest, and best communication during the school day. We will check our email periodically throughout the day. • Beth_helms@allenisd.org • Sonja_paxton@allenisd.org • Angela_clarke@allenisd.org • Lindsey_pippen@allenisd.org • Fiona_kelley@allenisd.org • Call – 972-908-4000 • Schedule a Conference: 2:05 – 2:50 p.m.

20. How can I volunteer at Lindsey? • Complete the criminal history background check – http://www.allenisd.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=1 • Contact PTA for a multitude of opportunities! • Email the volunteer coordinator – Melissa Hammett volunteers@lindseypta.com • Thank you for responding to the volunteer letters that have been sent home. If you haven’t had a chance to let us know how you want to help, please just send us an email! We really appreciate the support! • Watch Dogs -- – Jodi Measels is the contact

21. Is there a grade level handbook I can take home tonight? • We have copies for all parents! • Be sure to sign and return the last page.

22. Don’t Forget to Join PTA! • Membership forms are located on our website • Parents Tab • PTA • Also don’t forget to complete your volunteer background check! Must be completed each school year! • Allenisd.org • Middle of the page – “Register to be a Volunteer”

23. Questions? • Please let us know any questions you are still wondering about. We will get back to you ASAP! for Coming!