Back to School Night Fifth Grade North Boulevard

Back to School Night: Fifth Grade North Boulevard Elementary School 2015 -2016 If you did not already do so, please make sure you sign in! Thank you!

Thank You! • I appreciate your dedication-Now lets have a little laugh!

A Little Bit About Us… • This is my 9 th year teaching-I have taught Fifth Grade in the district for 6 years; previously I taught 6 th grade and 8 th grade English. • Miss Hoit, Student Teacher, William Paterson University. • Beyond striving to ensure that students learn the fundamental content of the curriculum I teach, my objectives as a 5 th grade teacher are : * to foster critical thinking skills * to facilitate the acquisition of lifelong learning skills * to help students develop problem-solving strategies * to foster a love for reading

My Pledge to Your Children • I will trust them until they give me reason to do otherwise. • I will respect them and work with them to solve any and all problems. • I will promptly correct and offer feedback on their work. • I will honor their ideas and opinions. • I will work with them to meet their learning goals. • I will offer extra help and alternative assessments should they need them.

Daily Schedule • Special • English Language Arts • Math • Recess/Lunch • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) • Humanities

Specials Schedule • Monday & Thursday - Gym (Mr. Debell) • Tuesday - Art (Mrs. Mangarelli) • Wednesday - Music (Mr. Di. Vizio) • Friday- Media Center/Library (Ms. Myerson)

Fifth Grade This Year… • Novels-The Little Prince, Toys, Number the Stars, etc. • More Chromebook usage-mostly all classwork will be completed using Google Docs and Google Classroom • Real Time • Standards Based Report Cards-feedback on student work • Polar Express Cookie Exchange (December) • Mock Trial (March-April) • Field trip to Liberty Science Center (May-June)

Math • We will continue to use the Math in Focus program • Weekly facts quizzes-students will track progress • Some topics we will cover are: * Place Value * Multi-digit Multiplication * Decimals * Fractions * Problem Solving * Introduction to Algebra Extra help will be provided before and after school. Dates to be determined. You will be notified via e mail.

English Language Arts • Writer’s Notebook & Chromebooks • Steps of the writing process • Mentor Texts-Picture books • Writing strategies i. e. , ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions • Narrative, opinion, literary essays • One-on-one writing conferences • Small group writing conferences

English Language Arts • Fostering a love for reading • “Real Reading” • Beginning months cycle-Concrete experiences, sensory exercises, wordless picture books, time for text • The goal is independence, but we start where the students are, not where we wish they were or where someone else says they should be. • Written and oral responses to literature in Reader’s Notebooks and organizers on Chromebooks

Humanities/Health & Safety • Monday – Thursday Humanities • Throughout the year, students will focus on the analysis and evaluation of primary source documents that hold historical significance. • Continue to apply critical reading, writing, and thinking skills • Friday Health and Safety • Lessons will be designed to build good character and establish guidelines for making good decisions.

Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics (STEM) • Calendar Math • Will begin following Next Generation Science Standards • Hands-on experiments (labs) • Analysis and evaluation of primary source documents that hold scientific significance • Continue to apply critical reading, writing, and thinking skills

Homework Policies • The purpose for homework is to reinforce critical skills that were taught • It is your child’s responsibility to copy the homework down on a daily basis-Our websites are another source of information for homework • Spiral reviews-Keep the skills fresh • Quality over quantity work-A few questions that require deep thinking vs. 25 mind numbing questions

We are a TEAM § Communication is key! § Weekly updates and reminders § Website updated daily § Mrs. Valero’s Website… please sign up! § Positive “surprise” calls or e-mails

Thank You, again! • It has been a pleasure meeting you all this evening. I really appreciate you all taking the time out of your schedules to come in and show your support. I hope that I will have your ongoing support throughout the year!