Welcome to Welcome to 55thth grade grade

Welcome to Welcome to 55thth grade grade

Ms. SerfossMs. SerfossMrs. WhitesMrs. Whites

Serfoss’ Class Schedule• 7:45-10:00 Science Enrich/LA/Soc. St (with Ms. Serfoss)•  • 10:00-11:00 Skill Building•  • 11:00-12:15 Math/Science (with Mrs. Whites)•  • 12:15-12:35 Lunch Recess•  • 12:35-1:05 Lunch•  • 1:05-1:40 Science continued (with Mrs. Whites)•  • 1:45-2:30 Specials•  • 2:30-2:45 Closure

Whites’ Class Schedule• 7:45-10:00 Science Enrich/Math/Science(with Mrs. Whites)•  • 10:00-11:00 Skill Building•  • 11:00-12:15 LA/Reading(with Ms. Serfoss)•  • 12:15-12:35 Lunch Recess•  • 12:35-1:05 Lunch•  • 1:05-1:40 Social St. (with Ms. Serfoss)•  • 1:45-2:30 Specials•  • 2:30-2:45 Closure

Overview of 5th grade year

• Fall Carnival• Track and Field-Oct. 17th• Geo Bee & Spelling Bee• Science Fair projects• Valentine’s party-Sock Hop• End of year Party• Visits to HBMS/LTMS

STAAR Testing

Reading: March 31st

Math: March 30th

Science: April 22nd

5th grade classroom consequences

– Verbal Warning - Missing homework DOES NOT receive a verbal warning

– Sign the Conduct Book -• Each time you sign the conduct book • Phone call to parents - after signing the

conduct book twice in one day – student will call parent

– Office referral– Note- Students may be sent to the office

immediately in the case of a severe disruption. (Fighting, refusing to work, damaging property, extreme disrespect, or any behavior that keeps the classroom from functioning.)

RewardsEarn Spend

Birthday - $10 Signed Tuesday Folder - $1 Signed Required forms (on time)-

$5 Signed Required forms (not on due

date but w/in 1st week) - $1 Signed Report Card (on time) - $5 Signed Report Card (1st week) - $1 Class Compliment - $3 per person Caught Being Good - $1-$5

Conduct Point Buy-back (1 point) - $25

Late Work (1 day) - $5 Late Homework (1 day) - $5 Lunch in Classroom - $15 Music on your headphones -

$15 Bring your stuffed animal to

class (1 day) - $10 Wear a hat in class - $10

Reading(Ms. Serfoss)

What will they be learning?Comprehension strategies while reading a wide variety of genres : fiction, biographies, informational text, persuasive text, procedural text Media literacy- different types of media and how they compare, points of view of media sources, effectiveness of mediaHow are we going to do it?mini-lessons on important reading skills, novel units and literature circles where skills are applied and literature is critically discussed, book projects, read-alouds

Writing & Language Arts

What will they be learning?

English words derived from Latin, Greek, and other linguistic roots, writing process to write fictional narratives, personal narratives, procedural texts, & persuasive texts, parts of speech, writing conventions, research

How are we going to do it?

writing notebook and larger writing projects, vocabulary & spelling from Latin & Greek roots (2 spelling tests/9 wks., 1 vocab test/9wks.), multi-sensory grammar

Social Studies(Ms. Serfoss)

What will they be learning?

Major units: Colonization, The Revolution, The American Identity, Westward Bound, The Civil War, Conflict Abroad & at Home (World Wars, Great Depression, Women’s Suffrage), U.S.A. Today

How are we going to do it?

research, writing, individual and group projects, geography, music, technology, graphic organizers

Math(Mrs. Whites)

Math is a lifelong, practical skill that your child will use the rest of his/her life. It is logical, consistent, and fun!

Some of the things you might see your child doing this year:1. Logic problems (enrichment and used as bonus points)2. Brainteasers/problem solvers3. Computation quizzes4. Mountain Math5. Math games6. Daily math homework (except for Fridays)

**A very important part of our math curriculum is homework. Students need the opportunity to struggle with math that is challenging to them. Please support your child in these struggles and victories as they learn and perfect these critical skills. Repetition is often needed for skills to go into long-term memory. Be patient!

Science (Mrs. Whites)

Science is hands-on learning! We regularly go to the lab which is something your child already enjoys.

1. All students participate in the science fair. This is a wonderful

opportunity for your child to investigate and problem solve as a scientist. Projects are completed at home with guidance/mini-lessons given each week. There is a deadline every Friday.

2. In addition to the science fair, students will be involved in a variety of activities in class, such as investigations, experiments, demonstrations, and learning to read a technical textbook. We anticipate that our students will broaden their scientific vocabulary and understand the world they live in.

**To be able to understand and comprehend a technical textbook and to do expository writing, your child will have vocabulary each week with a quiz on Wednesdays. Check out Quizlet to help reinforce those words.

What Is Bullying?

• “Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself.”

• OBPP Teacher Guide, p. xii

All students will follow these four anti-bullying rules:

1. We will not bully others.

2. We will try to help students who are bullied.

3. We will try to include students who are left out.

4. If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.

Olweus in the Classroom

• The four anti-bullying rules will be taught in all classrooms.

• Class meetings will be held where students talk about what bullying is. Students will learn why bullying should not happen. They will also learn to ask an adult for help if they see or experience bullying.

• Teachers will use positive and negative consequences for following and not following the four anti-bullying rules.

• Teachers will work to make the classroom a positive place for students

Take-Home Message

• It is possible to reduce bullying.• It requires a team effort.• It requires a long-term commitment.

Look for more information about the Look for more information about the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in the Mustang Messenger. the Mustang Messenger.

Homework

1. Assigned homework may include such activities as completing assignments begun in class, practicing concepts previously taught, or extending learning through projects and application activities.

2. Please note that 50 minutes per day or 250 per week is the average amount of time 5th graders will spend on their homework. Help your child establish the habit of completing the work assigned and then immediately putting it in the backpack so the work can be turned in the next day.

3. Homework will be assigned daily. Check your child’s planner or our websites.

Homework policy

1. If an assignment is not turned in on time, the student will sign the conduct book or it will be indicated in the gradebook.

2. Late assignments will be deducted 10 points the first nine weeks, 15 points the second nine weeks, 20 points the third nine weeks, and 25 points the fourth nine weeks.

Other forms of communication

• Tuesday folders: get them back as quickly as possible.

• Student assignment books/planners: #1 form of communication that we use!• Conference- (during kid’s specials or

after school) You may request a conference at any time!

• Texas Connect

Parent Conferences• Please e-mail us if you would like

to conference on the official parent conference days. Conference days are October 3rd & 8th. We will be contacting some of you for a conference.

• Otherwise, we are available throughout out the year for a conference or a phone conference.

•Please remember to sign up for TX Connect so that you will receive grade notifications!

• Thank you for coming tonight! We are looking forward to a great year!