Joe Romagna and Harmony Lingen email: romagnajoe@dublinusd

1. Joe Romagna and Harmony Lingenemail: romagnajoe@dublinusd.org lingenharmony@dublinusd.orgPhone: 925.833.4200 x6634

2. Goals Achievement -Obtaining High Academic Standards -Teaching California Standards -Developing life long skills: critical thinking, problem solving, test taking, and character education. -Preparing for middle school Partnership -Working with parents, teachers, support staff, and local community to achieve student success.

3. Language Arts Standards Reading -focus on learning and utilizing reading strategies. -Core Literature: Hatchet, Walk Two Moons, Number the Stars, Bud Not Buddy -Independent reading: students will participate in AR tests and should read 30 minutes every day at home. Writing Strategies and Genres -Utilizing writer workshop format. Writing Conventions -Grammar, sentence structure, capitalization, and punctuation. Vocabulary and Grammar -roots/suffixes, base words, grammar rules, and weekly tests.

4. Accelerated Reader • Students take “quizzes” on books they read to keep track of their reading level. • Quizzes can only be taken during school hours • With this program, we can learn more about what books will best help your child continue to expand their vocabulary. • The “range” they are given is the level of books that has just the right amount of known and unknown vocabulary words • ARBookfinder (ARBookfind.com) can help you and your child pick books at the right level. • Can do an “Advanced Search” by genre, level, etc. to get a list of books that will interest your student!

5. Mathematics Standards Math Strands • Identify variables and solving algebraic equations. • Use grids, tables, graphs, and charts to record and analyze data in order to apply math in the real world. • Use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division operations applied to fractions, decimals, and positive and negative numbers. • Acclaim strategies- multiple methods, higher comprehension. • Take home, consumable text for students; Online access; Digital lessons.

6. Online Math Resources • Our textbook can be accessed from home! • Website: www.pearsonsuccessnet.com • Username: 0 and student ID (ex. 056789) • Password: 1greengator • Additional Resources: • www.ixl.com- A great resource to practice 5th Grade Math Standards • http://www.factmonster.com/math/flashcards.html This is a good website to brush up on our math facts! Make sure to click on multiplication! • Khanacademy.org A great website for getting step-by-step explanations to complex math problems. The down side? You must create a gmail account for your child in order to track their progress through practice problems.

7. Social Science Standards Focus: US History and Geography • Students work to develop an understanding of: -Settlements/Routes of Explorers -Cooperation and conflict between natives and settlers. -Political, religious, social, and economic institutions from colonial era. -Causes and consequences of the American Revolution. -Development of U.S. Constitution and Government -Western Expansion -Location of 50 states and their capitals.

8. Science Standards Physical: • Elements and compounds account for varied types of matter in the world. Life Science: • Plants and animals have structures for respiration, digestion, waste disposal, and transport of materials. Earth Science: • Water on our planet moves between the oceans and land through the process of evaporation and condensation. –Weather Investigation and Experimentation: • Making observations, conducting careful investigations, and using the scientific method.

9. Daily Schedule… Monday-Tuesday=8:25-2:06 Wednesday-Friday=8:25-2:51 • Mornings: Reading/Writing & Vocabulary/Grammar • Mid-Morning: Math • Afternoon: Science/Social Studies

10. Special Programs… • Music-Mondays from 8:30-9:15 • PE- Thursday from 8:30-9:15 • Computers- Monday Afternoons • Library- TBD • Rotations- Wed.-Fri. from 12:30-2:20

11. Homework Policy Student Responsibility: Students are responsible for writing down and completing homework. To successfully complete assignments the student is to: Listen carefully to all directions in class and ask questions if the assignment is not clear, budget time wisely, maintain a schedule of study time, and turn in assignments when due.

12. Organization Middle School Teachers Say This is the Most Essential Asset Students Lack Coming In To Sixth Grade! In class, we emphasize the organization of materials and assignments by subject. One goal is that the students will take ownership of the process! At home, you can help your child by periodically checking that their backpacks and binders are organized.

13. Field Trips… • Lawrence Livermore National Lab • Tech Museum • Walk Thru the American Revolution • Camp Arroyo • End-of-the-Year Bowling Party (Last week of school) • Promotion Party (Last Day of School) • Performing Arts and Science Themed Trips TBD

14. Communication • Friday Folders We will send home a communications folder with your child. In it we place important classroom and school flyers, notices, and forms. In addition, the students graded work is regularly returned. Please sign and return! • Newsletters Look for regular emails from us updating you on the happenings of our classroom! • Website Important projects, dates, and other information.

15. Please Check Out… • Donations (Whiteboard) • Volunteer Opportunities • Class Webpage: http://www.dublinusd.org