Welcome to Fifth Grade

1. Welcome to Fifth Grade • Please find your child’s desk. • He or she has written you a letter in their Reading Notebook. Please respond to their letter . • Enjoy! • I will begin the presentation soon

2. My personality

3. Who am I?

4. Ms. Azizah – our fantastic Instructional Assistant

5. Mrs. Bassari – RLA Support

6. Ms. Kurt – our student teacher

7. The most important people to you and me are …………..

8. Who makes our class so special? When your child’s picture appears, please stand up, introduce yourself and your child

9. Now for the …… Information

11. RLA • Reading • Literature Based Reading Approach using Just Right books. • Balanced Literacy with Reader’s Workshop (mini lessons , independent reading at ‘just right’ level, conferring, read alouds, small group reading, interactive reading) • Reading comprehension – focus on deeper understanding and diverse thinking • Content reading strategies with non-fiction texts (social science and science) • Reading all genre with focus on fantasy, historical fiction, poetry • DRA/CTC as formative assessment • Continuums used to show child’s reading development

13. RLA • Writing • Balanced Literacy with Writers’ Workshop - mini lessons, independent writing/conferring, modeled writing, shared writing, guided writing, focus on improving the quality of their writing • Writing Process (more independent) • Units of Study – narrative essay, nonfiction, poetry, persuasive essay, fantasy • Six Traits – imbedded in units and allows for consolidation of writing skills (voice, word choice, ideas, organization, sentence fluency, conventions) Remember to praise the work for what they have done, not what they should do next

14. Word StudyWord Study builds understandings and strategies that can be applied to reading, writing and vocabulary development. • Units focus on: • Word Origins/Connections - students explore the stories behind words to develop understandings of how words are connected by spelling and meaning. • Building Words – students investigate how words are built using base words, prefixes and suffixes and learn the patterns and rules governing these. • Vowel/Consonant Patterns - students learn the role of vowels and consonants, their various patterns, and how to apply them. • Spelling Inventory – helps inform instruction • No Excuse Words

15. Grammar • Focus on capitalization, punctuation, grammar & usage, and sentence structure • Building upon previously taught skills and knowledge • Explicitly taught • Students to be held accountable in their daily work for taught skills

17. Math11:15 – 12:15 • Number Theory • Estimation and Computation • Geometry • Division • Relationships among fractions, decimals, and percents • Using Date and the adding and subtracting of fractions • Exponents and negative numbers • Fractions and Ratios • Coordinates, area, volume, and capacity • Using Data; algebra concepts and skills • Volume • Probability, ratios, and rates

18. Components of a Math Lesson • Mental Math – on slate • Math Message Discussion • Lesson Development – usually whole class • Lesson practice • Student Journal (collaborative) and Math Boxes (Individual) • Games Homework given – not every day, but most

19. Two parts to the test: • Part A is a summative assessment and will be use to measure your child’s growth and achievement. • Part B is a formative assessment and provides me information about students’ current knowledge and abilities so I can plan future instruction more effectively. • Provides parents and students with a review of concepts that need additional work and those that will be coming up in future lessons. A good resource for review is the Student Reference Book, which you can access online at www.everydaymathonline.com. • Please remember, the end of the unit assessment is only one of many tools used to assess your child’s math progress.

20. Communication How do you know about Math? • Family letter at beginning of each unit • Study Link coming home each night • Assessment profile

21. Social Studies History Civics Economics Geography • Current Events • The Formation of a Nation - Singapore and USA with emphasis on the following for each: • Exploration and Explorers • Colonization and Immigration • Geography • War and Conflicts • Government • *Reading to Learn: using tools to comprehend non-fiction text • *General review lesson on geography and map skills * UN Day

22. Super Student Program Designed to help your children live the Core Values while they are here at school. • SAS Core Values: • Compassion • Fairness • Responsibility • Respect • Honesty

23. Comments Daily Gecko Bucks Super Student Card M SAS Super Six 1. I will use the right voice and the right action at the right time. 2. I will treat others with respect and appreciate our national backgrounds. 3. I will make it possible for others to learn. 4. I will dress properly, be prompt and prepared. 5. I will be responsible for my own decisions and actions. 6. If it’s dangerous, I won’t do it. T Bonus Gecko Bucks W Th Student Signature_______________________________________ Week _________________ - _________________ Parent Signature_________________________________________ F Daily Gecko Bucks Subtotal Bonus Gecko Buck Subtotal Total Gecko Bucks for the Week Oops! Box

25. Homework • Fifth grade policy is 90 minutes a night, including Mandarin, Music, Typing and Reading. • In this class we alternate between a focus on reading and writing weekly • Reading log every night, in depth response every second week • Writer’s Notebook every second week • Math sheets – nearly every night, should take no more than 20 minutes – if it does STOP, I will work with them the next day • Some children take longer than others, if this is becoming a battle of the wills in your household – please contact me to see how we can make it better • No homework on the weekends! Their choice….

26. Reporting 2011/12 Intermediate • Four in the Year: • Semester reporting: December/June • Progress reports: Quarterly • First and Third Quarter Conferences: • October – Goal Setting with Parents • March- Follow-Up Goal Meeting with Parent/Student led conference

27. Ways to contact me • Super Student cards .. Make a note • Email jhooykaas@sas.edu.sg • Telephone SAS extn #6279 – after 3pm or before 8am please • Come and see me – make an appointment • Homework diary – write to me • If there is an emergency please contact the office before the classroom, we may not be here

28. Questions?

29. Thank you • Thank you so much for coming – if you would like to speak more in depth about your child please make an appointment. • Remember all the important information will be on http://jhooykaas.wordpress.com/