Welcome th 5 Grade Parents Thursday August 31

Welcome th 5 Grade Parents! Thursday, August 31, 2017 Ravenscroft Fifth Grade 2017 -2018

Fifth Grade Team Language Arts Rachel Newton Science Social Studies Math Rachel. Newton@Ravenscroft. org John Fiedler john. fiedler@ravenscroft. org Barbara Paul Barbara. Paul@Ravenscroft. org Dante Johnson Dante. Johnson@Ravenscroft. org

The Character Tree Compassion Courage Dedication Honor Respect Responsibility Spirit Fifth graders are the leaders of our Lower School community.

Taking time is greatly appreciated to read the Lower School Handbook (sent home in blue folders last week) for more information on policies and procedures including dress code and Digital Citizenship expectations and guidelines.

The th 5 grade Blog A SCHOOL to HOME CONNECTION! • Blog updates will be posted on Fridays. • Daily Homework can be accessed from blog. ***Please note homework will be posted between 7: 45 and 8: 05 each day • The monthly calendar will be linked to our blog and will be updated WEEKLY on Fridays. ***Please note that the calendar is subject to change with each update.

Students may enter the fifth grade center at 7: 45. We encourage students to arrive on time to prepare for the day and to hear announcements. Students should arrive by 7: 45 on mornings when they do announcements. Students who arrive a few minutes before 7: 45 must go directly to the library with a book to read. Students should be unpacked, seated, and ready to begin the day by 8: 00. Our classes begin promptly at 8: 05.

Daily Schedule Children in each class have their own personal schedule in the front of their binders. Specials will occur each morning on an eight day rotation as shown on schedules. Spanish(2 days) Library Art Music (2 days) Technology (2 days) P. E. will occur on 7 of the 8 days in the rotation.

Carpool *Please send an email or a note with your child regarding any change in pickup arrangements. Please email or call last minute changes to the Lower School office. *Messages left for classroom teachers by e-mail or phone are not usually received until classes have finished for the day. *Students leaving early must be signed out and picked up in the Lower School lobby.

ABSENCES Please e-mail your student’s homeroom teacher to let the 5 th grade team know if your student is sick. • Students are responsible for making up missed work and tests. • All assignments for absent students will be collected and placed on the homework shelf in the front lobby by 3: 10 p. m. You may email or call for other arrangements on the morning of the absence. • Advanced notice of absences is appreciated when possible. ****Requests for extended absences should be directed to Mrs. Hobbs and missed work will likely need to be made up after student returns to school. •

Birthdays Parents are welcomed to join us for lunch and bring a special treat for their child or send a special lunch. We do not have classroom celebrations or special snacks. Please do not send in cupcakes or other treats.

Homework • Homework should take about 50 minutes nightly (that includes studying for quizzes and tests) with 30 additional minutes for reading as noted in the Lower School Handbook. • Students will be required to copy assignments in homework agenda first thing in the morning and/or at the beginning of each class. • If you would like to “double check” your child’s assignments, parents can access the homework on our blog AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY If questions arise and your student is not able to explain, please jot a hand written note to the teacher for the next day’s class. • A no need to reply “Homework F. Y. I. ” notice will be emailed to parents each time a student does not complete an assignment in a particular subject area.

Time Management • Throughout the year, the students will be taught time management strategies to help them budget time wisely for homework and test preparation. • Due dates for tests and projects should be written in the Assignment Book and will be posted on the calendar linked to our the fifth grade blog. • Strategies for working ahead will be discussed, and students will know well in advance about tests and due dates for projects. • Test dates will be posted on Blog calendar.

Tuesday Folders *Please sign and return all graded work unless directed otherwise. *If you have a question about an assignment, please e-mail the teacher who teaches that subject area.

Language Arts In Language Arts class, the students will be learning through a modified workshop setting, strategies to become better independent readers, study vocabulary, and employ grammar conventions accurately. In the area of reading an emphasis is put on meeting the individual needs of each student by providing exposure to a variety of genres and reading strategies to develop these skills. The students are expected to do the following: • use a variety of strategies to choose “Just Right” books • read a minimum of 30 minutes per night • record independent reading progress through reading logs • set individual goals. • respond to their reading through journal responses • engage in active discussions through book clubs, partner sharing, and group sharing.

Students develop vocabulary through exposure to multiple word meanings, contextual analysis, and writing activities in addition to continued study of the Wordly Wise 3000 workbook series. • Students learn study skills and practice test taking • Writing Workshop Focuses on the writing process of drafting, conferencing, revising, proofreading, publishing • Areas of study include personal narratives, informational writing, and memoir • Grammar instruction will be incorporated into workshop through mini lessons, and students will be expected to practice the grammar conventions they learn in their writing. • Each student will sign a “grammar contract” that lists the conventions that they are expected to apply consistently in all forms of writing throughout the content areas. •

Learning Lab This course is designed to support and enhance the 5 th grade experience for students. (Academic Skills students meet with their teachers at this time) Content and skills covered in this course throughout the year will include: • Organization and study skills • Support managing Independent reading requirements • Extension and enrichment activities in math and language arts

Science Inquiry Based Approach - Scientific Method Observing, Communicating, Measuring, Analyzing, Inferring, Concluding, and Reporting Resources Science Fusion Textbook HMH (write-in, online) Unit Handouts & Reference Pages - (keep in binder) Labs – Assessments - Science Notebook Units How Scientists Work – Observation, Scientific Method, Tools The Engineering Process – Design Process – Problem solving Ecosystems and Energy – Roles of organisms, diversity Geology - Earth's Formation, Rock Cycle, Tectonic Plate Theory Matter - Elements, Phases of Matter, Chemistry Forces and Motion- Gravity, Friction, Newton’s Laws

Social Studies American through the Civil War Reading, discussions, projects history Trip to Colonial Virginia! Discussions of current national and global events

Math • A problem-solving approach based on everyday situations Problem solving will require the application of a variety of strategies and skills, with a particular focus on written explanations for the sequences of steps followed to find solutions. • Frequent practice of basic skills and an instructional approach that revisits concepts regularly • Exposure to topics presented in middle school math will provide challenging enrichment opportunities • Content strands include numeration, operations and computation, data and chance, geometry, measurement, patterns, functions, and exploration of beginning algebra concepts.

• Calculators and the Think Through Math program are some of the avenues used to integrate technology into the curriculum. • Homework will be assigned twice a week and should take between 15 -20 minutes. However, challenge tasks may be assigned and will require additional time. • Students in this class will be placed in either Grade 6 or the advanced option of Grade 7 math when they enter 6 th grade.

Fifth grade students will participate in quarterly leadership lessons which provide experiential learning activities focusing on leading self. We are working hard to help our fifth graders understand the ”power of one” and how they can change their own world in positive ways.

Advisory • Individual homeroom classes as well as the entire fifth grade community engage in Lead From Here lessons that address specific competencies related to leading self, leading with others, and changing your world.

Class of 2026