Fifth Grade 2011 - 2012

1. Welcome to Open House Fifth Grade 2011 - 2012

2. Adjusting to 5th Grade… • Fifth grade can be a big adjustment for students. Please encourage personal responsibility. • They should be completing homework independently. • Students are required to keep up with daily class work, homework, projects, etc. in class and at home. • Your child will bring home his/her communication folder every Thursday. Please look for graded papers as well as notes/communication from school. In order for your child to be prepared for middle school !

3. Morning Routine • Unpack book bag • Sharpen pencils • Drop off lunch /ASP money • Stop at restroom • Snack placed in desk • Complete morning work on the board

4. Agenda • Should be kept in the student’s desk • Additional daily assignments, homework, and notes may be written inside the agenda • Please also check the Blog for updates in your child’s classroom

5. Communication • The best way to contact us is through e-mail • Take Home Folders • Every Thursday • Graded Work • School Correspondence • School phone number: 678.594.8720 Remember to check our blogs daily.

6. Work Completion Policy • In an effort to prepare students for middle school and teach them both responsibility and accountability for their work, Bullard Fifth Grade Teachers will all be implementing the following policy: • All classwork will be given a due date and expected to be turned in on time. Any work not completed and turned in by the due date will be subject to a 10 point deduction in the grade each day it is late, however, no work will be accepted more than 4 days after the original due date. • If a student has an excused absence, then they will be given one day per excused day to complete and turn in any missed work. • In addition to teaching students to complete and turn in their work when it is due, we are also encouraging students to do their best work the first time they submit an assignment; therefore, we will not be allowing students to re-do any assignments for an improved grade.

7. Upcoming Events • Harriett Tubman Performance – September 22nd (in-school performance) • Boosterthon Fun Run - September 15th • Science Day – November 11th • (Volunteers needed – sign up sheet on tables) • Rock Eagle - Monday, April 30th

8. Overview of Curriculum

9. Math • Daily Math – reinforcement of basic skills and preview of new skills • Math Journal • Math Games

10. Reading • Guided Reading - Small group reading that is differentiated based upon readiness. • Shared Reading: Connecting, Visualizing, Questioning, Determining Importance, Synthesizing, and Inferring • Independent Reading: Applying reading skills on an independent reading level • Literature Circles: Students complete tasks to emphasize a reading skill. • Reading Response Journals – used with novel studies • Independent Book Studies/Reports

11. Language & Word Study • Skills for Super Writers Reinforces elements of language/grammar. • Words Their Way A word study approach that teaches students to look closely at words to discover vowel patterns, syllable structures, and spelling meaning.

12. Writing • Descriptive/Personal Narrative Essay – 1st Nine Weeks • Narrative Fantasy Short Story/Informational Writing – 2nd Nine Weeks • Persuasive Essay – 3rd Nine Weeks • Response to Literature – 4th Nine Weeks ** Students are taught to use the Six Traits of Writing in preparation for the Writing Assessment. ** 5th Grade Writing Assessment – March 7, 2012

13. Science • Constructive & Destructive Forces • Matter • Electricity and Magnetism • Cells and Microorganisms • Classifications of Organisms: Inherited & Learned Behaviors

14. Social Studies • Government and Citizenship • Civil War & Reconstruction • American Immigration & Industry • WWI / Roaring Twenties • The Great Depression • WWII and Recovery • Cold War and the U.S. today

15. Grading Scale • A: 90 to 100 • B: 80 to 89 • C: 74 to 79 • D: 70 to 73 • F: Below 70 • Progress reports will be given at the 4 1/2 week mark for all students with a C or below average in any given area.

16. Testing • ITBS: October 10 -14, 2011 • Writing Assessment: March 7, 2012 • CRCT: April 18 – April 24, 2012

17. Absences • All absences require a written note signed by a parent. • We are required to send home a 5 day notice when a child is absent on the 5th day • Our instructional time begins at 7:50. Please make every effort to have your child to school on time. • When absent, students are responsible for completing all missed work within a reasonable time frame.

18. Transportation • Please send a note on the day your child’s transportation will be changed. • No transportation changes will be accepted after 1:20. • Students are required to be sent home the “usual” way unless we have a written note. • Please do not send an e-mail. • Students are not permitted to ride home on a bus other than their assigned bus.

19. Snack and Lunch • Please send your child with a “nutritious” snack daily and bottled water (No candy or flavored drinks.) • Please make sure your child has money in their account. This can be done through Meal Pay.

20. Volunteer Opportunities • We still need volunteers to help with Science Day and Junior Achievement. • Thank you so much to all of our wonderful volunteers. It takes all of us working together to make our school year successful.

21. Thank you for being here tonight. We are looking forward to an amazing year !