Ms. Duncan's 5 th Grade

1. Welcome Parents! Ms. Duncan's 5th Grade

2. Welcome to 5th Grade! • We see your child’s educational experience as a partnership between student, teacher, and parent. Communication between all parties is essential to making this partnership successful. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you might have at any point.

3. OMIS MissionStatement UniquePurpose The unique purpose of OMIS is to provide a successful transition from early childhood to early adolescence by encouraging responsibility, independence, and character development. • The mission of OMIS, serving 4th and 5th grade students, is to advance student achievement through a comprehensive curriculum.

4. Contact Information • The best way to reach us during the day is through e-mail. jduncan@shelbyed.k12.al.us, mwatson@shelbyed.k12.al.us • Phone calls will be returned as soon as possible. • Conferences can be scheduled by sending an e-mail or phone call. Our conference days are Tues. –Thurs. from 8:20-8:55. • Your child will also have a space on my desk to place notes you might send.

5. All About Me • My background • Home town is Hoover, Alabama • I attended The University of Alabama, and received my bachelors in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.

6. Our Class Goals • Create a community of learners that include students, teachers, and parents • Create life-long learners, readers, and writers • Grow students toward becoming responsible, independent and cooperative learners who are accountable for their actions • Relate subject areas to real-life experiences

7. Items For Discussion: • Expectations and Procedures/Class Responsibilities • Shelby County Code of Conduct is available online at: http://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/about_our_system/code_of_conduct.htm • If you feel that your child is being bullied, there is a form that you can find online. It is to be filled out by parents and submitted to the counselors. • http://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/doclibrary/StudentServ/Harass-Bully-IncidentReportingForm.pdf • Cell Phones: cannot be audible or visible • First Violation: device taken and student may be given in school suspension • Second Violation: device taken and student may be given out of school suspension Kindles and Nooks are allowed for reading. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items. A policy is being developed by the school to govern devices that will be allowed.

8. Homework Policy • Assignments that are late by 1 day receive ½ credit. • Homework that is 2 days late received no credit. The Code of Conduct indicates that for assignments that were due on the day in which the student was absent, provided that the due date was previously communicated prior to the students’ absence, the student should be prepared to turn in the assignment upon returning to school. Homework/Planner: Please review nightly No Homework will result in a working lunch.

9. Discussion: • You may drop off your children no earlier than 7:05. There is no supervision available until after that time. • Please don’t let your children out in the parking lot. If you are not in carpool, please walk them to the door. • Limos cannot come to the parking lot to pick up students for any occasion unless they will be picking up the entire class. No deliveries form the florist are allowed. • Students are not permitted to bring rolling backpacks to school. • No carbonated drinks or food from restaurants in the lunchroom.

10. Attendance/Absences • Excuse should be turned in within 3 days in order to receive make up work. • For planned absences, there is a form that should be filled our and submitted to Dr. LeQier prior to the absence. • Make up will not be given until a student returns to school • You will need to provide ID for checking out your child

11. Items For Discussion • Phone Calls: sick, transportation, lunch money • Birthdays: snack are welcome during lunch • Students may not return to the classroom for forgotten items after leaving for the day. • Weekly Progress Folders will be sent home every Friday • Weekly e-mails about upcoming events and assignments • Blog http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/jduncan/ • Dress Code: skirts, shirts, and dresses must be mid-thigh or longer in front and back. No flip flops allowed

12. Class Subjects • The subjects we cover during 5th grade are: • Reading • Math • Science • Social studies • Language/Writing

13. Reading Our reading block: • Daily SSR time • Vocabulary Study • Specific Skill Weekly • Small Groups • Fluency Building • Nonfiction Comprehension • Lit. Studies (Chapter Books) • Harcourt Reading Series • 40 Book Goal!

14. Writing We will cover three modes of writing this year along with journal and writing across the curriculum. Three Modes of Focus: • Descriptive • Narrative • Expository

15. Language • Our language and writing program will allow us to integrate the two subjects. • Along with the writing objectives we will also cover: • Parts of Speech • Building Effective Sentences • Writing Organized Paragraphs

16. New Math Curriculum • OMIS is beginning an exciting transition in our math curriculum. We are joining the other Shelby County K-5 schools in teaching math investigations. It is designed to support students to make sense of mathematics and become mathematical thinkers. The investigations give students time to develop a strong conceptual foundation before moving into the more abstract algorithms. • We realize that it is a transition for our students, parents and for teachers. We are working diligently to be sure that our students understand their homework assignments before coming home each day. If you find that homework is confusing, please make an attempt with your child. If you are unsuccessful, make a note on the homework page. We know that you want the best for your child. We strongly believe that math investigations invite all students into the world of mathematics!

17. Science • Mrs. Watson will teach your child science this year. This is an opportunity that has been implemented in order to provide your child with the experience of changing classes before middle school. We are hopeful it will reinforce organization and accountability. • Your child will visit the science lab twice a month for hands-on experiences and reinforcement of objectives. • Topics to cover: Cells , Human Body Systems, Plants, Ecosystems, Water Cycle, Weather Patterns, Earth’s Surface, Natural Resources, Matter, Motion, Forms of Energy, and Space

18. Social Studies 5th Grade focus is Early American History: • Native Americans of North America • Eastern Hemisphere • Explorers • Colonies • Revolutionary War • Forming of our government • Westward Expansion • Civil War • Grades will come from class work and tests.

19. Homework • We will assign about 45-60 minutes of homework every night. This includes 120 minutes of reading each week . It is recommended to read 4 nights for 30 minutes in order to achieve this. • Your child will have math homework nightly along with vocabulary and periodic tests in other subject areas. Test will always be announced ahead of time in order to give you ample time to study.

20. Reminders: • Please write legibly when sending in a parent excuse for your child’s absence. It also needs to have the child’s first and last name on the excuse. • Pre-planned absences should be submitted and approved by the administration in order to receive make up work. • One lane of traffic in the morning –or you may park in a space and walk your child across the cross walk. Two lanes for pick up • Handicap parking

21. Tardiness/Absence • School starts at 7:50 a.m.-your child will be tardy if not in the classroom when the bell rings. • When you r child is absent, they will have a list of missed work on their desk when they return. It is their responsibility to complete that work and ask questions or for help if needed. • Be sure to send an excuse from home or doctor upon returning to school.

22. Attendance Policy: • The Shelby County Board of Education recommends a minimum attendance standard of 180 days per year. Therefore, a student who accumulates more than 12 absences during a school year is subject to loss of credit and /or retention. Absences beyond 12 must be accompanied with a doctor’s or court excuse or permission of the principal to be excused. • Vacations are not excused absences.

23. Field Trips • We have lots of fun field trips planned for this year! • Huntsville Space and Rocket Center (Fall) • American Village (Spring) • OMHS musical (Spring) • OMMS 6th grade tour (End of Year) Chaperones will be required for two off campus trips. Names will be drawn from the sign up list. Please sign up if you have not done so already.

24. Our Daily Schedule will look be located on the board each day. These are the things that happen during the week. P.E. - 8:20-8:55 every day Lunch -10:44-11:10 Music –2:00-2:45 on Tuesday Art – 2:00-2:45 on Thursday Computer Lab/Science Lab –Alternating Weeks GRC: 12:45-1:45 on Monday 11:45-2:45 on Wednesday

25. Class Involvement • Our room mom this year is Karen Beard with Kristin Riley as her assistant. These ladies will be asking for volunteers to assist with parties, etc.. • Parties: Christmas, Valentines, and End of theYear 8 parents are permitted at each party • Field Trip Chaperones -5 chaperones for each field trip • Door Decorations

26. What Can You Do? • Sign all forms and leave them on your child’s desk. • Take the information packet and the Code of Conduct home for your reference. • Write your Who Am I? and return it in a sealed envelope by September 7th.

27. Looking forward to a wonderful year!!