Welcome to Curriculum Night!

1. August 30, 2012 Welcome to Curriculum Night!

2. Teachers • Mrs. Laura Ferrer: Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies • Mr. Chris Hawlk: Math and Science

3. Our Philosophy We believe each child has the ability and right to achieve personal success-academically, socially, and emotionally. We the teachers are here to facilitate children in their endeavors. Our goal is to open their minds to new ways of thinking as well as to challenge what they think to be true. We want all students to walk away not only prepared for middle school, but also prepared for what the future may hold for them.

4. Schedule 7:10 – 7:50: Morning Work 7:50 – 10:00: Block 1 (Math/Sci OR ELA/S.S.) 10:00 – 12:10: Block 2 (Math/Sci OR ELA/S.S) 12:20 – 12:50: Lunch 12:50 – 1:20: Recess 1:25 – 2:15: Specials 2:15: Pack Up/Dismissal *Teachers will use block time to incorporate centers (small group time). Students will be re-taught, enriched, or will practice on-level skills during centers.

5. 5th Grade Policies • Homework written by • students in the agenda (no more • than 50 minutes) • Agenda signatures in two places (Math section and Reading section) • Unexcused Absences • E-mail teachers (if possible) • Transportation changes must be in writing (no e-mails) • Study guides only given for tests; study notes for quizzes (topics given) • All quizzes and tests signed and returned

6. Teacher Web Pages • Web pages updated on Friday afternoons • Information found here: • Current units of study • Upcoming quizzes and tests • Homework • Newsflash (weekly newsletter) • Curricular links and websites (including on-line textbooks)

7. We Can Text You Let’s try this for Mrs. Ferrer: 1. Send a text message to (424) 835-7305 2. With the message @mrsferrer *You should get a reply asking for your name. Now let’s try Mr. Hawlk: • Send a text message to (424) 835-7388 • With the message @hawl *You should get a reply asking for your name.

8. Language Arts Block • Vocabulary/Grammar Homework • Alternates every other week • Weekly Friday assessments • Weekly Spelling assessment (list based on Spelling Pre-test given each 9 weeks) • Reading (focus on fiction/nonfiction text) • Novel Studies, magazine articles, newspapers, etc… • Types of Writing (narrative, information, persuasive → GA Writing Test)

9. Social Studies • Geography • History (Civil War • through present day) • Economics • Civics • Project based learning • through technology

10. Math • Math Series: Houghton-Mifflin (on-line textbooks for Math, Science, and S.S.) • Fast 4 (daily computation drill) • Website for daily math hw • 5 minute nightly drill (agenda signed for flashcards) • Homework Practice Book and Student Textbook issued to each child • Math Notebook – updated with new lessons; use to study for quizzes & tests

11. Science • 3 major areas of study: • *LIFE SCIENCE (cells, microorganisms, and classification) • *EARTH SCIENCE (constructive and destructive processes that change the earth) • *PHYSICAL SCIENCE (matter, mass, physical/chemical changes, electricity, magnetism, etc.) • Project based learning through technology • Use highlighted sections of workbook for notes

12. Grading Policy Student grades can be accessed through Parent Portal. Teachers input grades on a regular basis. Please visit the front office if you do not have access to Parent Portal to sign up for an account. Students will receive both summative (percentage grades) and formative grades (1, 2, 3, or 4) in Reading, English, and Math. Students will receive only summative grades in Science and Social Studies. Summative Grading Scale: 90-100 = A 80 – 89 = B 70 – 79 = C Below 70 = Failing

13. 4th-5th Grade Standards-Based/Numerical Grade PLUS Report Card • Clearly communicates strengths and weaknesses • ELA, Math, Science and SS will receive traditional numeric averages • Standards-based grades will range 1-4 and support the progression toward learning outcomes • Work habits will be reported separately as to be monitored outside of academic performance

14. 4th-5th Grade Report CardConduct Grade: Grade PLUS • Personal conduct = high expectations • Recognizing that successful students take initiative and have good work habits, these skills will be assessed throughout the year using the following scale: • E= Exemplary (Student displays habits beyond expectation), • S = Successful (Student displays habits that meet expectation), and • D = Does Not Meet (Student does not display behaviors that lead to successful learning).

15. Conduct Cards and Punch Cards • The conduct card is a behavior monitoring system and daily communication between home and school.  The categories on the card align with the conduct section of the report card. The conduct card needs to be signed over the weekend.  Each nine weeks the students will receive a new card. • Punch cards are an opportunity for students to earn rewards based on positive choices they make in the classroom. Punch cards are an incentive only. Teachers will always be on the lookout for good deeds!

16. “Extras” : • 4-H (through the University of Georgia) • Class T-Shirts • Spelling Bee and Oratorical Contest • Mathletes • Community service projects (quarterly) • Field Trip • Bowling • Wildcat of the Week • 5th Grade Day (last day of school) and Walk Through The Halls

17. What else? Don’t forget to stop by the table by front office to sign up for clubs Please go to Mr. Hawlk’s room to sign up for a fall conference with your child’s homeroom teacher Take home a copy of the 5th Grade Cheat Sheet and the Report Card Rubric

18. Thanks for coming! We are looking forward to an exciting year.