Welcome to Fifth Grade!

1. Welcome to Fifth Grade!

2. Fifth graders are the “Leaders of the Pack” and we have an exciting and productive year planned for students. The information included will prepare your student for a successful year.

3. The Team • Mrs. Allyson Davis • Ms. Melanie Sowa • Mrs. Amy Rynearson • Mrs. Stacey Ward • Ms. Freda Lewis We look forward to working with you to insure the success of your child during this very important year!

4. Upcoming Important Dates • September 20th Early Release- 12:00 • September 4th Labor Day Holiday • September 11th First Responder Luncheon • October 4th Early Release 12:00 • October 25 AND 26Early Release for Conferences

5. Curriculum

6. Reading & Language Arts (RELA) Throughout the school year, students will extend reading strategies introduced in grades K-4 to further develop their critical thinking and analysis skills in all subject areas. In addition, students will practice STAAR formatted questions and apply strategies to prepare for the Reading STAAR to be administered on April 11.

7. Spelling We will be using Frequently Misused Words and Greek and Latin roots. Students will be assessed on their spelling skills and grouped according to their level. Students are introduced to a new rule each week and given many opportunities to master the words. Spelling will no longer be a separate grade on the report card.

8. Mathematics Fifth grade math focuses on exploring number concepts using hands-on activities and many different approaches to solving problems. Students will practice solving problems in a variety of ways and providing verbal and written explanations of their methods. In addition to hands-on activities, students will also practice STAAR-formatted questions so they will be prepared for testing on April 10 and middle school math classes.

9. Science The focus for science is hands-on experiments and activities that make connections to real world applications of science concepts. The new TEKS place more emphasis on designing controlled experiments and the students will have plenty of practice before they are expected to design their own experiment. We will also spend some time analyzing non-fiction passages and information in preparation for the Science STAAR that will be administered on May 16.

10. Social Studies Fifth graders will study American History through a variety of sources, including historical fiction, interactive notebook activities and non-fiction passages.

11. Manners Banquet This is a very exciting day for our students! We will once again be going to The Overlook for our Manners Banquet. We need parent volunteers to help us. Please mark your calendars and save the day to help us make this a memorable experience for your child. We are working on a date with The Overlook , so as soon as we know we will let you know!

12. Tuesday Folders Graded papers and conduct will go home each week on Tuesday for the previous week. Please review the papers, sign the conduct card, and return the folder on Wednesday each week.

13. Conduct Good conduct is critical to the success of all students. Students will receive a weekly conduct grade based on the following: Weekly Conduct: E = 0 marks S = 1 - 2 marks N = 3 - 4 marks U = 5+ marks

14. Conduct Rewards and Consequences The most important consequence of poor conduct is that the student loses opportunities to learn when he or she misbehaves. As an added incentive, fifth graders must maintain an E or an S in behavior to earn the right to participate in a number of end of the year activities, as well as after school clubs throughout the year. These activities include, but are not limited to: Talent Show, Game Day, Mock Middle School and the 5th Grade Water Games.

15. Recess Recess provides an opportunity for students to socialize and stretch their legs. Fifth graders will start the year with a recess break after lunch. However, as the year progresses we may gradually adjust the length and format of recess to prepare students for middle school, where they will not have a recess break.

16. Restorative Discipline This is a program at Timbers for students in grades 3 through 5. The goal of restorative discipline is to keep students in class during the day so they do not miss instructional time due to behavior issues. Students will be assigned to meet with Mrs. Curtis if they receive 3 or more conduct marks in a day, 6 or more in a week, or for office referrals. Students will be given an Office Referral for the 2nd session assigned and each session thereafter.

17. Snacks Fifth grade students will be allowed to bring a single-servingsnack to be eaten in class at a time designated by the teacher. The snack must follow the nutritional guidelines set forth by the federal government and minimize the risk of allergic reactions and unsanitary conditions in the classroom. • We ask that if your child brings a water bottle, please make sure it is not a disposable bottle and has a flip top to help protect our carpet. If you have a question about water bottles, please ask your child’s teacher.

18. Lunch • Sowa/Rynearson 12:35-1:05 • Ward/Lewis/Davis 12:40-1:10 • If students do not take either a fruit or vegetable, they will be charged the a la carte prices. • Parents may restrict extra snack purchases through their online account. • All unopened food must be consumed in the cafeteria per federal guidelines.

19. Student Birthdays Student birthdays may be celebrated during lunch time or during the last 15 minutes of the school day. Parents wishing to provide treats for classmates may purchase ice cream from the cafeteria, or bring store bought treats. Please see the HOWL for details on ordering ice cream. Additionally, no balloons or gifts will be delivered to the classroom. Please let your child’s teacher know ahead of time.

20. Conferences Our conference time is 8:10 – 9:00 each day, except Wednesday, which we will be in planning. Please contact your child’s teacher if you wish to schedule a conference. Fall conferences will be scheduled with each parent on or before October 25 and 26. Please see the teacher website for phone and email information.

21. Remind 101 Good communication is essential for your child’s success. Fifth grade teachers will be utilizing a texting app called Remind 101 this year. Please text the code given to you this evening as soon as possible to assure you get important information.

22. Teacher Twitter • Make sure to check out your teacher’s Twitter account to see what is happening at Timbers Elementary!! #TEInspires

23. Tardy/ Attendance Policy Students who are habitually tardy miss valuable instructional time. If your child is absent, a signed note about the absence must be brought in when the student returns to school.

24. Field Trips • Humble ISD has implemented an accounting system for handling money collected from students. We will need students to pay for their field trip by the due date listed on the permission slip or they will be excluded from the trip.

25. STAAR – 5th Grade • Subjects Assessed: Math Reading Science • 4 hour time limit on all assessments • STAAR Math – April 10th; retest May 14th • STAAR Reading – April 11th; Retest May 15th • STAAR Science – May 16th

26. Other Important Information • Parents and guardians will only be allowed to escort students to class the first day of school. • Parents and guardians will not be allowed to check students out of school after 2:45PM. • Students must have a parent note or doctor’s note when returning from an absence. • Students will be dismissed daily in the manner you tell us. Any change to dismissal must be given to the teacher in writing.

27. West Walkers- new dismissal route • Students who cross the street in the afternoon at the intersection of Lonesome Woods and Singing Woods will now be West walkers. We are trying to help these students get home as safe as possible. They will be dismissed with Front Walkers, but then go with a separate teacher who will dismiss them at the corner of the two streets.