Back to School Night September 19, 2012

1. Back to School NightSeptember 19, 2012 Mrs. White-Burke\Mrs. Contipodero Room 405

2. Agenda7:00-7:25 or 7:45-8:10Please sign in on the side table. • Introduction • Goals for 5th grade • 5th Grade Curriculum Highlights • Classroom Routines and Expectations • Housekeeping • Homeroom Coordinator Introductions • Index Cards on desks: • Questions are encouraged and welcomed. Due to time constraints, if you have a question, please write it down and I will get back to you during the week. • Feel free to leave a note in your child’s desk.

3. Introduction • A little bit about me! • Graduated from Gettysburg College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration • Employed in the Banking Industry for approximately nine years, prior to enrolling in an elementary certification program at Immaculata University • Currently hold both elementary and middle school math certifications • Have experience teaching students in grades K-8 and in all subject areas • This is the fourth long-term assignment I have completed in a fifth grade classroom • I have been a member of the GV community for many years, as a student, parent, community volunteer and teacher

4. Goals for the year • Increase independence • Time management • Organization • Punctuality • Academic goals • Grow as a role model for the school community while upholding the Pillars of Character and School Rules • Make a successful transition to middle school

5. Language Arts • Reading Workshop • Reader's Workshop is a framework that provides students with reading instruction and focused time to read self-selected books independently or with partners/small groups (later in the year).  • The structure of Reader's Workshop includes:  -Minilesson: The children receive explicit instruction in the process and skills of proficient reading  -Guided and independent practice: Students read high-interest, just-right books of their own choosing while the teacher works with individual students or small groups -Share: At the end of the workshop, the students may gather together again.  The teacher may highlight an important concept or provide time for a few students to share their work. • Teachers use the Great Valley Reader's Workshop curriculum to guide instruction.  It is divided into units; each focused unit was designed to teach specific skills and strategies. • Teacher Interactive Read Aloud • On Days 1-4, the first 20 minutes of the day are dedicated to listening to great literature while gaining reading strategies. This time is teacher led, but students interact with the text through writing notes in their reader’s response journal, talking with a partner, drawing a picture to show understanding, and group discussion.

6. Language Arts (cont’d) • Writing Workshop • Writer's Workshop is a framework that provides students with writing instruction and focused time to write.  •   The structure of writer’s workshop includes: -mini-lesson: students are explicitly taught the skills and strategies of effective writing.  -Time for writing (rehearsing an idea, drafting, revising, editing, or publishing) while the teacher works with individual students or small groups.  -Share: At the end of the workshop, the teacher will usually gather the students together again to highlight an important concept or provide time for a few students to share their work. • Teachers use the Great Valley Writer's Workshop curriculum to guide instruction.  It is divided into units; each unit focuses on a particular type of writing. • Students are encouraged to live like a writer- always being conscious of events (big and small) that could be turned into stories.  Encourage your child to jot (or sketch) ideas about funny, sad, new, or routine activities to serve as ideas for their writing. • Spelling • 20 spelling words will be assigned every other week. The words come from the 5th grade anthology,Wordly Wise vocabulary books and from Social Studies or Science content words. • Vocabulary • 15 Wordly Wise words will be assigned every other week (alternating with spelling). Students are assigned a book based on independent level. • Grammar • Each week, students will be introduced to a grammar concept from the “sailboat “ book.

7. Math • Problem Solving and Mathematical Reasoning • Arithmetic and Number Concepts • Place Value, Rounding, Fractions • Geometry and Measurement • Mathematical Skills and Tools, Computation of Whole Numbers, Decimals, Fractions • Use of Calculator and Computer (CCC) • Mathematical Communication • Probability and Statistics

8. Helpful Hints for Math • Review notes and practice problems with your child. • Learning new concepts is easier when math facts are mastered. • Check to make sure your child is completing all math homework. If he/she is having trouble, encourage him/her to ask questions during class or meet with their teacher during core extension.

9. Science • We will engage in lessons in our science textbook and FOSS Kits. Our class will visit the science lab often. • Students will do hands-on activities to help them learn and ask questions about the topic at hand. • Students are expected to ask questions as they go and we search for answers. • Students will make observations and keep a science journal. • Mr. Dave Cliffel will be your child’s science teacher this year. • Science will be split into three main units • Environments • Space • Rocks and Minerals

10. Social Studies • Marking Period 1: 1890-1920 • Age of Inventions • Immigration • The Progressives • WWI • Marking Period 2: 1920-1945 • Roaring 20’s • The Great Depression • WWII • Marking Period 3: 1945-present • The Cold War • The Civil Rights Movement • Decades Projects

11. OLWEUS • District-Wide Initiative to prevent and react to bullying situations at school. • Class meetings held weekly to discuss bullying issues as well as to instruct students in handling situations of bullying • Terminology used by the district when discussing instances: • Instigator (bully) • Target (victim) • Bystanders (witnesses to event) • School-wide Incident Reporting Form will be used to record and report any instances of bullying that occur

12. Core Extension • Most services (OT, PT, speech, MG) will occur at this time. • Most lessons (band, orchestra) will occur at this time. • Students will have time to work on spelling, Wordly Wise, science projects, social studies projects, continue reading, and continue writing. Students may work independently or in small groups depending on what they are working on. • This is a time to meet with teachers to receive additional support.

13. Classroom Expectations and Routines • Students are expected to write down all assignments each day. • Students are expected to follow guidelines/directions for assignments and to turn in the assignments on time. • Students need to ask for help when they have questions, concerns or difficulties. • Parents are asked to sign assignment books (Agenda) as well as the reading log each evening.

14. Homework Expectations • Homework needs to be turned in on the day it is due. • Homework should be neat and have the student’s name on it. • When homework is not turned in, students will stay in from recess until the homework is completed.

15. Housekeeping • Website • Schedules • Snack • Birthdays • Routines (bathroom, morning homework check, classroom jobs, attendance) • Warm Fuzzies • Book Orders • Field Trips • Optional 5th Grade Activities (service council, Wake Up KDM, etc)

16. Schedule • 8:55-9:15 Interactive Read Aloud or OLWEUS • 9:15-10:30 Math • 10:30-11:15 Core Extension • 11:15-12:00 Lunch/Recess • 12:00-12:45 Specials • Day 1: Music • Day 2: Library • Day 3: PE • Day 4: PE • Day 5: Art • 12:45-1:45 Social Studies/Science • 1:45-2:45 Reader’s Workshop • 2:45-3:25 Writer’s Workshop/Spelling/Grammar/Vocabulary • 3:25-3:35 End of the day routines, pack up, dismissal

17. Snacks and Birthdays • Your child will have the opportunity to have a snack and may enjoy it at any time, as long as they are not disrupting instruction (and do not leave any trash on the floor!). • Each student is responsible for bringing in their own snack. • Please encourage your child to pack a healthy snack. • Birthday treats are no longer permitted. • As an alternative, students may send in pencils, pens, erasers, etc., but are certainly not required to do so. • Students may also donate a picture book or novel to the classroom library. Your child’s name will be put inside the book and shared with the class.

18. Routines • Morning: • Students are responsible for moving their names on the Smartboard for attendance and lunch, handing in notes, and taking out their math supplies. • All directions are on the Smartboard. • Bathroom: • Students are required to sign in and out when using the bathroom. • One student is allowed in the bathroom at a time. • End of the day: • Students are responsible for having all homework written down. • Students are responsible for gathering all materials necessary to complete homework. • Students are responsible for checking to make sure their work area is neat and chair is stacked • Jobs: • Students will receive a new job every 2-3 weeks. • Students must complete independently complete their job at the appropriate time (depending on the job).

19. Warm Fuzzies • Warm Fuzzies are secret projects the students create to show another classmate how much they are appreciated. The purpose is to create an inclusive classroom. • Students secretly pick a name of classmate out of a hat. • The students will then write a letter and create a hand-made gift for their classmate using the information they learn about the classmate in the classmate’s All about me packet. • Students will have approximately one month to complete the letter and project. • On the designated day students will present their letter and projects to the student. • Please do not send in food.

20. Book Orders • Students will receive a book order most months. • The due date will be recorded in the students’ assignment books and on my website. • Checks only. Please make checks out to Scholastic Book Order. • For every $1 you spend, the class earns 1 bonus point which can use to purchase books for the classroom.

21. Field Trips • 5th Grade goes on 3 trips: • Paradise Farms November 1st • People’s Light and Theater December 4th • Washington D.C. May 31st

22. Optional 5th Grade Activities • Intramurals • Girls on the Run/Stride – YMCA Running Fitness Programs • Band and Orchestra • Community Service/Fundraisers • Wake Up, KDM • Student Government • Heritage Night • Science Fair (Nov-Feb) • Envirothon • Talent Show • National Spelling Bee • Reading Olympics

23. Suggestions for helping your child become and independent student • Provide a quiet, well-lit place away from distractions for completing homework. • Ensure that appropriate supplies and reference materials are available. Designate a common time for doing homework, including a break • Break longer assignments into manageable parts particularly when your child is confused or overwhelmed with the expectations. If your child is confused, help him/her develop questions to ask the teacher. • Discuss and review the homework when it is finished. • Make your child responsible for putting their homework in their backpack immediately after assignments are checked and hold them accountable for turning in homework and other notes.

24. More suggestions • Keep a weekly or monthly calendar for your family to schedule homework along with sports practices, music lessons, or other commitments. • Include self-checking (as much as possible), for example, using a study method to review spelling words each week before our Friday test. • Monitor and check over your child’s homework calendar.

25. Parent Involvement • Your help is always welcome. • As the year progresses, I will communicate with you regarding ways you might help out in our classroom. • If you would like to share your culture, or a special celebration with our class, please contact me and I will set up at time for you to do so. • Open communication is the key to your student’s success. • Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I can be reached at 610-889-1620 Ext. 1405 or bwhite-burke@gvsd.org.

26. Thank you for your time and support! If you have any questions, please leave them in the blue basket on the side table. Enjoy the rest of your night!

27. Classroom Coordinators • Jackie Skodnyskodnyjackie@gmail.com • Margaret Ricker margaretricker@yahoo.com • Vashi Patel vashi_patel@hotmail.com