Welcome to Back to School Night

1. Welcome to Back to School Night Please take a moment to fill out an index card with your name, your child’s name, and the best way to contact you (phone, email, or cell phone) Feel free to use the back of the card to write any questions that you may have. Thursday, September 12, 2013

2. Grade Level Expectations Fifth Grade Students will: • Be prepared for all classes everyday • not call home for homework • Produce quality work at all times • Show respect for all adults they come in contact with • Respect classmates’ learning by remaining seated quietly during instruction and raising hands to ask questions • Be positive role models for younger students

3. 5th Grade Behavior Plan • Students are given a 30 minute recess period daily. If students do not follow 5th grade expectations they may miss part of their recess. • Each classroom teacher will have their own behavior plan.

4. Homework • Agenda • Parental Support • Nightly Reading • 1 day missed=1 day make up • Even though homework is not graded, students are expected to complete it in a timely manner and will be responsible for making up any missing assignments

5. Grading Policies • Students will be assessed in a variety of ways on a daily basis. • Three primary forms of assessment are: • Diagnostic- not graded/used to assess knowledge of concepts • Formative- not counted toward quarter grades/used to check for understanding • Summative- graded/counts toward quarter grade

6. Math The text for math is Scott Foresman / Addison Wesley . This is a spiral curriculum where concepts are either introduced, reinforced, expanded, or investigated. • Numeration (Number Sense, Numerical Operations) • Measurement • Geometry • Data Analysis • Algebra • Problem Solving

7. Math Groups • Flexible math grouping • Pre-Assessments • Criteria for math placement • Quarterly pre-test • Differentiated Instruction • Fifth grade SOLs • Enrichment

8. Reading Students will participate in Reading Workshop which is a method that uses a combination of mini-lessons, independent reading time, and individual conferences to inspire and motivate students. Some skills that will be taught during the year include: • Predictions • Context Clues • Discussion Questions • Connections • Illustrations • Summaries • Presentations

9. Reading Programs • Developmental Reading Assessments (DRA) • Testing is given beginning and end of the year to see your child’s progress. DRA are performed to locate your child’s reading level. • Accelerated Reader (AR) Program

10. Accelerated Reader (A.R.) • Individually based goals • Teacher will conference each quarter with students to set goals • Goal will be adjusted each quarter • If a goal is reached, the teacher and student may adjust it for the next quarter • If a goal is not met, teacher will conference with students to discuss why • Will remain a grade in reading • Goals will be different for each student based on their reading level • Quarterly assemblies for those who meet their goal • Students earn a charm to carry on their backpacks as a reward • AR Carnival for students who have accumulated 105 points or higher

11. Writing Instruction will focus on the following: • Expository • Persuasive • Narrative • Descriptive Grammar will be reviewed on a daily basis through morning work. It is important that your child keep up with his/her assignments.

12. Assessing Writing • Writing will be graded using the Standards of Learning Scoring Rubric. This includes: • Written Expression • Usage and Mechanics • Composition

13. Science • Changing Earth • Ocean Environment • Cells and Organization of Living Things • States of Matter • Light and Sound • Science Fair Experiments and hands-on investigations are incorporated into each unit!

14. Social StudiesRegions of the United States Social Studies concepts covered throughout the year include: • Map Skills • Geography • Landforms • Environment • People • History • Economy/Resources

15. Additional Opportunities

16. Report Cards Grading Key A = Advanced Proficient B = Proficient C = Intermediate D = Beginning • Progress Indicators • 4 = Advanced Proficient • 3 = Proficient (This is the target for all students) • 2 = Intermediate • 1 = Beginning • = Denotes knowledge or skill not assessed at this time Students will be marked in the content areas of Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Social Science and Science using the following Grading Key and Progress Indicators:

17. Questions or Comments? • Check Pinebrook’s 5th grade webpage for newsletters and important dates. • You can reach me by phone or email. Phone calls are usually returned within 24 hours. E-mail is answered daily when possible. • School Phone: 703-957-4325 • 5th Grade Team E-mails online

18. Thank you for coming this evening. The Fifth Grade Team is looking forward to a successful year!The Fifth Grade Team Members:Ms. Schultz, Mrs. Donahue, Mrs. Cherry, Mrs. Noel, Mrs. Stanley, Mrs. Pingley, and Mrs. Stripling