Open House Welcome to Mrs Riveras and Mrs

Open House! Welcome to Mrs. Rivera’s and Mrs. Diaz’s 5 th Grade Class 2015 -2016 Mater Academy

• • • • • Agenda Our Daily Schedule Our Goals Attendance Policy Uniform Policy Morning Procedures Math, Science, and Social Studies Think Central Reading and Language Arts Reading Plus Curriculum Florida State Assessment (FSA) Home Learning Policy Classroom Community/Character Education Grading Policy Websites COMMUNICATION IS THE BRIDGE! Parent/Teacher Conferences Parent Volunteer Hours

Our Daily Schedule Mrs. Diaz Mrs. Rivera 8: 00 -8: 35 Bellwork/I-Ready 8: 35 -9: 35 Math 9: 35 -10: 30 Science/S. S. 10: 30 -11: 30 Specials 11: 30 -12: 00 LUNCH 12: 00 -12: 30 P. E. ( Coach White) (classes switch) 12: 35 -1: 35 Math 1: 35 -2: 35 Science/S. S. 2: 45 -3: 00 Dismissal Procedures SPECIALS: Mon & Tues. - Spanish (Mrs. Rojas) Wed. -Early Dismissal @ 2: 00 P. M. Thurs. - Art (Ms. Paula) Fri. - Music (Mr. Odio) 8: 00 -8: 30 Bellwork-I-Ready 8: 30 -10: 30 Reading/Writing 10: 30 -11: 30 Specials 11: 30 -12: 00 LUNCH 12: 00 -12: 30 P. E. ( Coach Borell) (classes switch) 12: 35 -2: 35 Reading/Writing 2: 45 -3: 00 Dismissal Procedures SPECIALS: Mon & Tues. - Spanish (Ms. Jimenez) Wed. -Early Dismissal @ 2: 00 P. M. Thurs. - Music(Mr. Odio) Fri. - Art (Ms. Paula)

Our Goals • To give our students the academic and social skills they need to progress to 6 th grade. • To provide our students with strategies to score well on the Reading, Writing, and Math FSA (Florida State Assessment) and Science FCAT 2. 0. • To provide your child with a safe and secure environment and to make new friends and discover new interests.

Attendance Policy It is EXTREMELY important for your child to come to school every day. If your child is not in class, they cannot learn! Absences • To excuse an absence, a note must be turned in within 3 school days (72 hours). • After 5 unexcused absences you will receive a referral. • After 5 unexcused early dismissals, you will receive a referral. • • Truancy School starts at 8: 30 a. m. If students aren’t in the classroom by the time the announcements begin, your child is considered tardy. ALL TARDIES ARE UNEXCUSED!!!! 10 tardies will be given a referral. ** You can refer to the Parent Handbook for detailed information **

Uniform Policy • Uniform Regulations are in place beginning this year. • Students MUST wear correct uniform to school everyday. • On cold days, students MUST only wear the uniform jacket and sweater in hunter green. Long-sleeve undershirts MUST be white. • NO jogging pants are allowed to be worn. • Shoes may ONLY be black, white, or brown in color. • Make sure uniform shirts are always TUCKED INSIDE! INSIDE • Students that don’t adhere to Uniform Policy will be sent to the office to call home. • Written uniform warning will be issued. • After 3 uniform warnings, a referral will be issued. ** You can refer to the Parent Handbook for detailed information **

Our Morning Procedures • Bell Work & I-READY Interventions begins from 8: 00 am-8: 30 am • Take out ALL necessary materials for class • Students copy homework and place assigned homework on desk. • Listen to morning announcements for any special event or relevant information.

Mrs. Rivera’s Class Subjects • The subjects I cover in 5 th grade are: – Math – Science – Social Studies

Math, Science, and Social Studies • We will cover all of the necessary skills needed in fifth grade. Math • Fifth grade Math is difficult and it is imperative that your child master their times tables in order to progress successfully! Have them STUDY every night!

Think Central • • • Our Math Textbook Website- Go Math Florida Series Aligning to Common Core Standards Student’s username & password is their student ID #. Students may access text-book and practice book. Student may print out worksheets from site (review, left homework in class, etc. ) • Student may play online math games to assist in reviewing of skills. • Eventually, students will be taking assessment online (In class, NOT home).

Science • We read Science together as a class; once a section is fully read, we complete an activity and experiment on it. • The key is to pay attention and read carefully! • Students NEED to use their close reading strategies.

Social Studies • We will be learning all about U. S. History. • Students will be responsible to complete and turn in assignments on time.

Mrs. Diaz’s Class Subjects • The subjects I cover in 5 th grade are: – Reading – Language Arts: grammar writing

Reading We will cover all of the necessary skills needed in fifth grade. • Our reading series- READING WONDERS! • Once your child receives their student log in, they will have access to their reading text. Please Remember… • It is important that you motivate your child to READ DAILY & complete their READING LOG!

Reading Plus 4. 0 • READING PLUS lessons MUST be completed with 80% comprehension by SUNDAY of the current week in order to receive full credit. • Students should be completing: 3 See. Readers, 3 Read. Arounds, and 3 i. Balances per week. *Periodically students will be given a technology GRADE according to the average comprehension percentage for SEE READER*

Reading Logs / Monthly Projects • Students will be required to complete a daily reading log. They must read, note what they read and respond to reading using evidence from the text. • Reading logs will be due everyday. • Students will also be assigned quarterly reading/writing projects. Students will be provided ample time to complete the project. **Penalties will result in any late work turned in. **

Language Arts Grammar Writing

Language Arts: Grammar We will cover all of the necessary skills needed in fifth grade. • Grammar skills your child will be responsible for in their writing this year are: - capitalization of the word “I” - capitalization at the beginning of sentences - capitalization of proper nouns - appropriate punctuation (includes question marks, periods, exclamation marks, dialogue, direct quotes, and commas) - compound and complex sentences - sentence structure

Language Arts: Writing • Types of Writing your child will be responsible for this year are: - Informative Writing: your child will need to extract facts from various texts related to a prompt and respond in essay format - Opinion Writing: your child will need to support their opinion about a specific topic using various texts - Responding to Text: your child will need to respond to reading questions in complete answer format, meaning they must restate the question, answer the question, and use textual evidence to support their response

Curriculum 5 th grade is taught with a 5 th grade Florida standards curriculum. Curriculum is not watered down. This is to ensure that students become critical thinkers, proficient writers, & problem solvers. We will also be focusing on FCAT Science, FSA Reading, FSA Writing and FSA Math.

Florida State Assessment • The standards will be used for Reading, Writing, and Math in 5 th Grade • The new Florida Standards, adopted by the State Board of Education, will prepare Florida students for success in college, career and in life by emphasizing analytical thinking.

FSA Continued • The test will provide a more authentic assessment of the Florida Standards, because it will include more than multiple choice questions. • Students will be asked to create graphs, interact with test content and write and respond in different ways than on traditional tests. • Question types will assess students’ higher-order thinking skills in keeping with the higher expectations of the Florida Standards.

Home Learning Policy • We assign homework Monday-Friday. • Your child is responsible for writing his/her homework daily in their AGENDA and for making sure they have all handouts and worksheets needed to complete the homework. • Your child’s homework is due daily. If your child misses three homework assignments in a week, your child will receive a SILENT lunch detention. (10 incomplete homework's will result in a referral).

Classroom Community As your child's 5 th Grade teachers, it is our goal to guide them into becoming independent, responsible, and ready for middle school! Our Classroom Rules: 1. Have materials ready to use when class begins. 2. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself. 3. Follow directions the first time they are given. 4. Raise your hand wait for permission to speak or stand. 5. Respect classmates. 6. Try your hardest and place maximum effort • o o o Rewards : Praise Call/Note Home Privileges • o o o Consequences : Warning Time out from activities(including parties/field trips if the need arises) Detention Parent Contact Referrals (if the need arises)

Character Education This is the seventh year Mater Academy has decided to implement “Character Education”. This is where your child will learn about the Six Pillars of Good Character which are: Respect Caring Trustworthiness Responsibility Fairness Citizenship

Grading Scale/Policy A 90 -100% B 80 -89% C 70 -79% D 60 -69% F 0 -59% Z 0 q q q Outstanding progress Above average progress Average progress Lowest acceptable progress Failure Incomplete Assessments/Class Work will be graded based on student performance. Class Discussions/Group Work will be graded based on effort, participation, and the final product of group collaboration. Home Learning/Projects will be graded based on completion and quality of work.

Weekly Grades • Weekly Grades will inputted the week of or following week. • Please review your child’s grades through www. dadeschools. net portal. • If you would like to know more about your child’s grades please arrange for a parent/teacher conference. Only done during planning time. • I WILL NOT discuss grades or progress without a conference. • Contact me via email/ phone call or send message with your child.

STAY INFORMED! • Mater Academy website: http: //www. materelementary. com/ • Miami-Dade County parent portal: http: //www. dadeschools. net/parents. asp • Class Dojo: download the app on your phone or https: //www. classdojo. com/

Communication is the Bridge! Working together builds the BRIDGE to SUCCESS! • Please feel free to contact us with questions and/or concerns at ANY time! Email: Mrs. Diaz: jaimmiediaz@materelementary. com Mrs. Rivera: crivera@materelementary. com OR (305)698 -9900 ext. 2 (leave a message) We will return your email or phone call within 48 hours M-F only.

Parent/Teacher Conferences • Parent/Teacher conferences are held at your discretion or at the discretion of the teacher. • Parent/Teacher conferences are ONLY held during the school day, during our planning time periods. *(please refer to class schedule)

Communication – Special Areas • Spanish: Ms. Rojas grojas@materlementary. com • Spanish: Ms. Jimenez ljimenez@materelementary. com • Music: Mr. Odio iaodio@materelementary. com • Art: Ms. Paula spaula@materelementary. com • P. E. : Coach White jwhite@materelementary. com • P. E. : Coach Borrell OBorrell@materelementary. com

Parents Volunteer Hours 30 Volunteer Hours MUST be completed You may volunteer by: • Donating a gift card from Walmart, Target or Office Depot for classroom supplies/materials. ($1. 00 is equivalent to 1 hour) • Volunteering for school functions and/or fieldtrips. To volunteer you MUST be cleared through Dade-County Schools. www. dadeschools. net 1. parents 2. create account 3. apps/services/sites 4. volunteer application 5. take copy of driver’s license to school office

Any Questions?

Thank you for your help and support. We know it will be a fun and successful year for the students. We look forward to working with you this school year to best assist your child. Mrs. Rivera and Mrs. Diaz