Welcome to Back to School Night

1. Welcome to Back to School Night

2. What happens in Riker Hill’s Fifth Grade?

3. The Fifth Grade Team • Mrs. Sharon Yasner/Mrs. Anna-Maria Corino – Social Studies • Mrs. Gail Kelly – Mathematics • Mr. David Arensburg – Science • Mrs. Michele Jacobsen – Special Education • Mrs. Vanessa Belford – BSI/Support • Ms. Nicole Monaco– Special Education • Mrs. Liz Zuber– Aide • Mrs. Jill McLaughlin- Aide ***Note: All 5th grade homerooms teach ELA • Daily Team Meetings • Collaborative Planning

4. Reading/Language Arts • Balanced Literacy: • Reader’s Workshop • Read-Aloud • Independent Reading • Guided Reading Instruction • Reading Strategies • Reading Units -Unit 1: Launching Through Character Work - Unit 2: Critical Reading Across Texts for Interpretation - Unit 3: Social Issue Book Clubs (Author - Unit 4: Learning Through Reading: American Revolution Critical Reading Across Texts for Interpretation - Unit 5: Test Prep - Unit 6: Reading High Interest Non-Fiction Closely - Unit 7: Fantasy Book Clubs • Words Their Way • Writer’s Workshop • Unit 1: Narrative Craft • Unit 2: Literary and Comparative Essay • Unit 3: Research Based Argument Essay • Unit 4: Research for Digital Presentations • In the Content Area: American Revolution • Unit 5: Test Prep • Unit 6: Feature Article • Unit 7: Fiction – Fantasy or Independent • Writing

5. Reading/Language Arts Structure of Reading/Writing Workshop: • Mini-Lesson • Independent Reading/Writing • Conferencing • Partner Work • Book Clubs • Guided Reading Instruction Goal of Workshop: • Build stamina • Work with students on individual levels

6. Science • The Scientific Method • Solar System and Space Exploration • Changing Earth • Volcanoes • Earthquakes • Earth History • Pangaea • Dinosaurs and Fossils • Life Science • Ecosystems • Physical Science • Simple and Complex Machines

7. Science • Hands on/Inquiry Based Learning • Assessment • Experimental Labs • Unit Tests • Homework • Projects

8. Social Studies Units of Study • The Age of Exploration • The Era of Settlement Age and Colonization • The Revolutionary War • The Government and Constitution • Westward Expansion and the Civil War

9. Social Studies Forms of Assessment • Tests/ Quizzes • Open Book Quizzes • Informal written assignments • Projects

10. Math • Units of Study • Number Sense • Patterns and Algebra • Multiplication • Division • Fractions • Decimals • Data Analysis • Calendar Math • Measurement • Geometry

11. Math • Pre-Assessments • Quizzes • Post-Tests • Notebook Quizzes • Flex Grouping • Projects/Activities • Partner Games • Chess • Extension Activities

12. Critical Thinking • Essential Questions • Example: How are the risk taking characteristics of early colonists similar to the explorers from the Age of Exploration? • Reading Strategies • Making Connections • Visualizing • Questioning • Making inferences • Determining Importance • Monitoring For Meaning • Synthesizing

13. Helpful Hints/Reminders Homework Agenda • Homework is copied daily. • Students should be reading 30 minutes each night and writing a reflection about what he or she read. • Students will use reading log to record their daily reading. They will be assigned to complete three “write longs” per week.

14. Helpful Hints/Reminders Riker Hill Take-home Folder • Transports homework to and from school as well as any notices. • Folder placed in backpack immediately upon completion of homework

15. Helpful Hints/Reminders Study Area • proper lighting • quiet • spacious • contains all necessary tools Study guides are given for tests at least one week before test date.

16. Helpful Hints/Reminders Policy for Absences • It is the student’s responsibility to see the teacher for work missed when not in class. This includes an absence or leaving for band, GT, forensics, etc. • Check teacher websites for homework assignments • Homework requests cannot be filled until 2:45pm • If your child is absent, you must send in a handwritten note, not just an email indicating reason for absence.

17. Helpful Hints/Reminders • 5th Grade Handbook • Available on the District website • Policies and Procedures • Birthdays • Contact Information • Teacher Availability • Individual Classroom Incentives

18. Extra Help? • Availability • after school: 2:40-3:00 p.m. • Math Help: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:40-3:00 p.m. • Please contact us to schedule a time.

19. Wrap-Up • Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to come and meet your child’s teachers. We look forward to a very productive and successful year with your child!

20. We're Off To A Great Year!!!