WELCOMEto the 2014-15

5th gradeSchool Year

BELIEVE, INVEST, ACHIEVE

Daily 5th Grade ScheduleMorning: English Language Arts

Math Social Studies & Map Skills Library (Wed)

Afternoon: P.E., Band or Choir, Computers, Art,

Reading Science

Common Core State Standards in Mathematics

The new Common Core State Standards in Mathematics are being implemented in the 5th grade classroom this school

year.

SCIENCEMatter & Energy

Variables

No Bones About It

Catapults

SOCIAL STUDIESEarly ExplorersThe 13 Colonies

American Revolution and

Daily Geography Skills

*Our class completes a research project required by the State called a CBA (Classroom-based Assessment).

English Language Arts Reading Standards

Narrative and Informational text Stories – Dramas – Poetry – Historical Scientific - Technical – Biographies – Autobiographies Daily Warm-Ups in Non-fiction Reading Passages

Writing Standards Opinion-Informative-Explanatory-Narrative

Speaking & Listening Standards

Language Standards Daily Grammar/Editing skills

SPELLING

With our Spelling program, students will receive a spelling handout on Monday to be completed by Friday every week.  We will review the skills that are the week’s focus in class. Students will take their Spelling TEST every Friday along with a Skills & Proofreading Check Test.

INDEPENDENT READING

• Students have opportunities to Students have opportunities to independently read every day in class. I independently read every day in class. I also encourage students to read at least also encourage students to read at least 20 minutes every evening.20 minutes every evening.

• In addition to AR points & quizzes, I also In addition to AR points & quizzes, I also provide class activities & journaling that provide class activities & journaling that pertains to a book a student is reading.pertains to a book a student is reading.

• For Trimester 1- every student has an For Trimester 1- every student has an individual goal to reach for AR points. individual goal to reach for AR points. Half of their goal points will need to be Half of their goal points will need to be informational text (nonfiction).informational text (nonfiction).

IXL FOR MATHIXL supports student learning in

mathematics.It enables students to practice math

standards they are struggling with.It enables students to practice higher level

math concepts they might be ready for.Reports provide teachers & parents

information on how students are progressing.IXL can be accessed at school and home or

wherever you have internet access @ixl.com

IXL ExpectationsFocused math standards are assigned weekly. In addition, some students might be assigned to focus on their areas of concern, too.

Students are asked to spend at least 1 hour (60 points) per week on IXL. The week begins on Monday and runs through Sunday. I check progress every Monday morning.

HOMEWORK

Homework will be given Monday through Homework will be given Monday through Thursday; Friday only if student has Thursday; Friday only if student has incomplete, make-up or late work.  Homework incomplete, make-up or late work.  Homework is given to ensure your child understands is given to ensure your child understands what was taught in class and allows the what was taught in class and allows the student to practice the skills learned.  This student to practice the skills learned.  This independent practice is essential to learning independent practice is essential to learning the concept and will also teach the concept and will also teach responsibility.  I will NOT send work home responsibility.  I will NOT send work home “just because.”  Your child will have “just because.”  Your child will have approximately 1½ hours of homework nightly approximately 1½ hours of homework nightly which includes independent reading time & which includes independent reading time & IXL math practice. IXL math practice.

MISSED WORK DUE TO ABSENCES/FAMILY VACATIONS

When your child is absent from school it is very When your child is absent from school it is very important to keep in mind that much of what we important to keep in mind that much of what we do in class cannot be made up because of whole do in class cannot be made up because of whole group instruction, discussions and activities that group instruction, discussions and activities that are not paper & pencil. Make-up work will be are not paper & pencil. Make-up work will be assigned, but because of the nature of several assigned, but because of the nature of several lessons it may not be directly retaught. When lessons it may not be directly retaught. When your child returns from an absence he/she will your child returns from an absence he/she will need to meet with me to collect any handouts, need to meet with me to collect any handouts, assignments, or letters that need to be taken assignments, or letters that need to be taken home. I would prefer to have a students make-up home. I would prefer to have a students make-up missed tests or quizzes before or after school.missed tests or quizzes before or after school.

5th Grade Code of Conduct Classroom Rules:

•  Respect others in actions and words at all times.•  Be responsible for your actions.•  Try your very best.•  Be prepared to learn.•  Make good choices.•  Listen carefully and follow directions.•  Turn in all homework/assignments on time.•  Follow all school rules. 

SNACKS

We will have an assigned snack time daily. When We will have an assigned snack time daily. When students are hungry they are not able to focus on students are hungry they are not able to focus on their schoolwork, so snacking is important. I have their schoolwork, so snacking is important. I have three rules about snacks: They must be three rules about snacks: They must be healthyhealthy, , not disruptivenot disruptive, and in order for students to share , and in order for students to share they must have enough for the whole class. Some they must have enough for the whole class. Some good ideas for snacks are fruit, crackers and good ideas for snacks are fruit, crackers and granola bars. Soda and candy are not allowed for granola bars. Soda and candy are not allowed for a snack. It is a good idea, especially during the a snack. It is a good idea, especially during the warmer times of the school year for students to warmer times of the school year for students to have a leak proof water bottle to keep at their have a leak proof water bottle to keep at their desk.desk.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUBS

The 1The 1stst Wednesday of every month I will send home Wednesday of every month I will send home scholastic book club order forms in your child’s scholastic book club order forms in your child’s Wednesday folder.  If you are interested in Wednesday folder.  If you are interested in purchasing any of the items, you can submit a purchasing any of the items, you can submit a check made out to Scholastic Book Clubs for any check made out to Scholastic Book Clubs for any and all orders from the different clubs or you can and all orders from the different clubs or you can submit an order online at submit an order online at www.scholastic.com www.scholastic.com using our class access code, which is using our class access code, which is

J9H4NJ9H4N. . 

Orders are due by the 2nd Thursday of every Orders are due by the 2nd Thursday of every month.month.

VOLUNTEERINGField tripsField tripsClass celebrationsClass celebrationsART ProjectsART ProjectsEnd of School Year 5End of School Year 5thth grade grade activitiesactivities

PTG needs a 5th grade classroom delegate

Parent/Student Conferences

5th grade students are highly encouraged to attend their fall & spring conferences with their parents/guardians.

RECYCLING & DONATIONS• Box tops & Soup labelsBox tops & Soup labels• Non-fiction/Informational Non-fiction/Informational

text bookstext books

*Sign up at Staples.com for *Sign up at Staples.com for Reward points for the Reward points for the classroom.classroom.

My School Website Parent Letter/Classroom Rules & Parent Letter/Classroom Rules &

ConsequencesConsequences Weekly lessons, homework, tests/quizzesWeekly lessons, homework, tests/quizzes Spelling List for the weekSpelling List for the week Upcoming field trips and other school eventsUpcoming field trips and other school events Daily class schedulesDaily class schedules 55thth grade curriculum & standards grade curriculum & standards Independent Reading/Lexile BandIndependent Reading/Lexile Band Scholastic Book Club OrderingScholastic Book Club Ordering Math websites for student supportMath websites for student support Classroom project detailsClassroom project details

Wednesday FoldersWednesday Folders

• Communication Communication • Graded workGraded work• Notes from Mrs. BrezinskiNotes from Mrs. Brezinski• Notes & Announcements from Notes & Announcements from

officeoffice• Field trip permission forms Field trip permission forms

Please please sign the folder & return to Please please sign the folder & return to schoolschool

no later than Friday morning.no later than Friday morning.

CLASS DOJO

TRACKING DAILY POSITIVE & TRACKING DAILY POSITIVE & NEGATIVE BEHAVIORSNEGATIVE BEHAVIORS

STUDENTS & Parents CAN LOGIN ANY STUDENTS & Parents CAN LOGIN ANY TIME TO CHECK PROGRESSTIME TO CHECK PROGRESS

WEEKLY REPORTS CAN BE EMAILED WEEKLY REPORTS CAN BE EMAILED TO FAMILIES TO FAMILIES

QUESTIONS

Thank you for being a Thank you for being a valuable partner in your valuable partner in your

child’s education. Together child’s education. Together we can assure your child’s we can assure your child’s success this school year.success this school year.Don’t hesitate to contact me with anyquestions or concerns you might have.

mbrezinski@9mile.org 340-

4031