Welcome to 5 th Grade Mrs Thal Mrs

Welcome to 5 th Grade! Mrs. Thal & Mrs. Christ

5 th grade = lots of changes! • New school, 2+ teachers • Physical, emotional, social changes – Keep an eye on social media accounts • Tougher curriculum, higher expectations – students need to study! • Number grades - tend fluctuate each marking period, which is perfectly normal. • Conferences in January – please check progress reports and marking period grades online – We will reach out to you before then if there is a concern socially/academically/behaviorally

Goals for 5 th grade • Develop a good work ethic, in addition to good study and organizational skills – Not as concerned with grades/awards • Teach students to work more independently • Increase responsibility/accountability • Expand thinking and problem-solving skills • Reinforce principles of “good character” • Connect subject matter to “real life” • Adopt a more personalized learning approach

What is Personalized Learning? Personalized learning refers to instruction in which the pace of learning and the instructional approach are optimized for the needs of each learner. ● Learning objectives, instructional approaches, and instructional content (and its sequencing) may all vary based on learner needs. ● Learning activities are made available that are meaningful and relevant to learners, driven by their interests and often self-initiated.

Miscellaneous • There will be many online assignments given throughout the year (Google Classroom, Pearson Realize, etc. ) – Students are responsible for taking care of Chromebooks. THEY MUST BE CHARGED EACH NIGHT. • If there are circumstances going on at home that you think may impact your student’s performance in school, please let us know. • When sending in money for anything (including lunch cards) please put in an envelope, marked with child’s name, my name, and purpose. • When a student is changing how they go home (i. e. , walking instead of taking bus), a note/email must be sent in.

Math Curriculum “Math is like gym for your brain!” • • • Math program has been very successful – en. Visions 2. 0 – More assignments/assessments will be given online. – If a student scores below a 70 on a test, a retest may be taken. We will continue to use Math IXL as a supplement. Students must know their times tables!! Extra help is available at recess. Helping Hands starts soon. Students will be taking a district common assessment once per marking period; PARCC in the spring. Khanacademy. org, Mathtv. com, and You. Tube have excellent video tutorials on every math topic.

Science Curriculum • • • New science program - Science Dimensions - aligns with NGSS. Similar to math, in that it’s a textbook/workbook all in one. Students will receive logins for the online component. Science program is more formal, and more challenging than they are used to. – Do not be alarmed if grades are not as high as in previous years. • We incorporate STEAM activities, as well as debates (Philosophical Chairs), and “Genius Hour” projects, into the program.

Health Curriculum • We’ll be using a variety of materials, including online articles/handouts from kidshealth. org • Health topics are based around specific topic(s) each month – Ex: November is National Diabetes Month • Character Education, study skills is part of health curriculum • Healthy U - YMCA initiative

Grading • The following areas are factored into a student’s overall grade: – Tests – students given about a week’s notice (will coordinate with Ms. Christ to ensure 2 major tests are not given on same day, e. g. , Science and Social Studies) – Quizzes – there’s a difference between a quiz and a test! 2 -3 days notice given for quizzes – Homework - mostly classwork that has not been completed (if absent, at band, enrichment, etc. ); some assignments can be done for extra credit – Class participation/Debates - easiest grade! – Labs/Debates – Projects – Some done in class, some started in class, some done at home

Theme Days/Periods • • • Wellness Wednesday - character education, study skills (part of Health) Fraction Friday - start to review previously taught concepts leading up to adding/subtracting fractions in Dec/Jan. Project Periods - students can work on things they owe, Genius Hour Projects, complete independent reading, or consult with teacher if they need extra help, etc.

Social Studies TCI- all online program ● Students have Social Studies one period a day ● – – – – Overview of Geography of U. S. First Settlers Exploration Colonial America Revolutionary War American Government Movement Westward Civil War

Social Studies ● Grades could consist of chapter tests, lesson quizzes, and projects ● There will be plenty of notice for test with plenty of review and study guides. ● Individual or group projects will be done mostly in class. In some cases students who do not complete work during class time, will have to finish at home

Language Arts In Language Arts we will be working on: Reading Comprehension gained through core literature novels, literature circles, independent reading, and nonfiction articles. ● Wonder, Rules, Number the Stars , Maniac Magee Sophia's War- novels ● Non fiction articles topics will be based around novels ● Using websites Newsela and IXL

Schoolwide Writing Workshop ● Writer’s Notebook ● Projects: – Launching Unit-Narrative – Informational – Argumentative – Memoir Narrative

Homework and Grading • Assignments are always posted on board, copied into assignment pads • Many assignments are done on Google Classroom. Grades are posted and emailed back to student. • Grades categories: (weighted) 1. 2. 3. 4. Tests Quizzes Homework Class Participation

Finally… • Take a handout with information about how to stay in touch with what is going on in the classroom. Thank you for coming! Here’s to a great year!