Welcome to Curriculum Night!

1. August 30, 2012 Welcome to Curriculum Night!

2. Teachers • Ms. Heather Smith : Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies • (Ms. Margaret Outlaw is Ms. Smith’s long-term sub through Friday, 8/31) • Ms. Amy Petrella: Math and Science

3. Schedule 7:10 – 7:50: Morning Work 7:50 – 10:00: Block 1 (Math/Sci OR ELA/S.S.) 10:00 – 12:10: Block 2 (Math/Sci OR ELA/S.S) 12:20 – 12:50: Lunch 12:50 – 1:20: Recess 1:25 – 2:15: Specials 2:15: Pack Up/Dismissal *Teachers will use block time to incorporate centers (small group time). Students will be re-taught, enriched, or will practice on-level skills during centers.

4. Grading Policy Student grades can be accessed through Parent Portal. Teachers input grades on a regular basis. Please visit the front office if you do not have access to Parent Portal to sign up for an account. Students will receive both summative (percentage grades) and formative grades (1, 2, 3, or 4) in Reading, English, and Math. Students will receive only summative grades in Science and Social Studies. Summative Grading Scale: 90-100 = A 80 – 89 = B 70 – 79 = C Below 70 = Failing

5. 5th Grade Policies • Homework written by • students in the agenda (no more • than 50 minutes) • Agenda signatures in two places (Math section and Reading section) • Unexcused Absences • E-mail teachers (if possible) • Transportation changes must be in writing (no e-mails) • Study guides only given for tests; study notes for quizzes (topics given) • All quizzes and tests signed and returned

6. Teacher Web Pages • Web pages updated on Friday afternoons • Information found here: • Current units of study • Upcoming quizzes and tests • Homework • Newsflash (weekly newsletter) • Curricular links and websites (including on-line textbooks) *Example of Ms. Petrella’s Web Page: http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/site/default.aspx?DomainID=112

7. Text Message Communication • We are going to use texting reminders for parents this year (reminders and updates) • Both classes: text @petre to 224-365-8661 to sign up for Petrella updates • Both classes: text @6xcx to 424-543-6408 to sign up for Smith updates

8. Conduct Cards and Punch Cards • The conduct card is a behavior monitoring system and daily communication between home and school.  The categories on the card align with the conduct section of the report card. The conduct card needs to be signed over the weekend.  Each nine weeks the students will receive a new card. • Punch cards are an opportunity for students to earn rewards based on positive choices they make in the classroom. Punch cards are an incentive only. Teachers will always be on the lookout for good deeds!

9. 4th-5th Grade Report CardConduct Grade • Personal conduct = high expectations • Recognizing that successful students take initiative and have good work habits, these skills will be assessed throughout the year using the following scale: • E= Exemplary (Student displays habits beyond expectation), • S = Successful (Student displays habits that meet expectation), and • D = Does Not Meet (Student does not display behaviors that lead to successful learning). • * Note: Successful (S) is where most of the students will be ranked (the expectation is that they meet standard)

10. Language Arts Block • Homework: Read for 15 minutes, Spelling City for 5 minutes, Grammar or Reading Assignment (should not take more than 10 minutes) • Spelling and Vocabulary assessment every Friday (study by using Spelling City) (There is a direct link on my website -- words are also posted under the Spelling City tab) • Reading (focus on fiction/nonfiction text) *Examples of text used in class: novel studies, magazine articles, newspapers, etc… • Types of Writing (narrative, informational, persuasive → GA Writing Test)

11. Social Studies • Geography • History (Civil War • through present day) • Economics • Civics • Project based learning • through technology

12. Science • 3 major areas of study: • *LIFE SCIENCE (cells, microorganisms, and classification) • *EARTH SCIENCE (constructive and destructive processes that change the earth) • *PHYSICAL SCIENCE (matter, mass, physical/chemical changes, electricity, magnetism, etc.) • Project based learning through technology • Use highlighted sections of workbook for notes

13. Math • Math Series: Houghton-Mifflin (on-line textbooks for Math, Science, and S.S.) • Fast 4 (daily computation drill) • Website for daily math hw • 5 minute nightly drill (agenda signed for flashcards) • Homework Practice Book and Student Textbook issued to each child • Math Notebook – updated with new lessons; use to study for quizzes & tests

14. “Extras” : • 4-H (through the University of Georgia) • Class T-Shirts • Spelling Bee and Oratorical Contest • Mathletes • Community service projects (quarterly) • Field Trip • Bowling • Wildcat of the Week • 5th Grade Day (last day of school) and Walk Through The Halls

15. Thanks for coming! • Please sign up for a conference with your homeroom teacher. • Pick up a copy of the report card rubric (tan packet). • Pick up a copy of the 5th grade “Cheat Sheet” (white/blue 2-sided sheet) as a reference for 5th grade policies and procedures.