Ravenscroft Fifth Grade 2015-2016

Fifth Grade TeamReading & Writing Rachel NewtonScience John FiedlerSocial Studies Barbara PaulMath /Learning Lab Dante Johnson Math/ Learning Lab Cara Dancy-Jones

The SCHOOL to HOME CONNECTION!*Weekly blog updates will be posted every Friday. The monthly calendar will be linked to our 5th grade blog. Please note that the calendar is subject to change and may be updated weekly.*Please e-mail us if you have questions.*Please take time to read the Lower School Handbook you received in the blue folder last week for more information on policies and procedures.

Specials will occur each morning on an eight day rotation as shown on schedules.Spanish(2 days) Library Art

Music (2 days) Technology (2 days)

Daily ScheduleChildren in each class have their own personal schedule in the front of their binders.

Students may enter the fifth grade center at 7:45. We encourage students to arrive on time to prepare for the day and to hear announcements. Students should arrive by 7:45 on mornings when they do announcements.

Students who arrive a few minutes before 7:45 must go directly to the library with a book to read.

Students should be unpacked, seated, and ready to begin the day by 8:00. Our classes begin promptly at 8:05.

*Please send an email or a note with your child regarding any change in pickup arrangements. Please email or call last minute changes to the Lower School office.

*Messages left for classroom teachersby e-mail or phone are not usually received until classes have finished for the day.

*Students leaving early must be signed out and picked up in the Lower School lobby.

Carpool

ABSENCES• All assignments for absent students

will be collected and placed on the homework shelf in the front lobby by 3:10 p.m. You may email or call for other arrangements on the morning of the absence.

• Advanced notice of absences is appreciated when possible. Requests for extended absences should be directed to Mrs. Hobbs.

• Please e-mail us to let us know if your student is sick.

• Students are responsible for making up missed work and tests.

BirthdaysParents may join us for lunch and bring a special treat for their child or send a special lunch. We do not have classroom celebrations or special snacks. Please do not send in cupcakes or other treats.

*Please sign and return all graded work unless directed otherwise.*If you have a question about an assignment, please e-mail the teacher who teaches that subject area.

Tuesday Folders

Please read pages 17 and 18 in the LS Handbook. Mrs. Hobbs has discussed appropriate attire with the children. Starting next week we will be sending dress code notes home for you to sign.

Time Management

*Due dates for tests and projects should be written in the Assignment Book and will be posted on the calendar linked to our the fifth grade blog. *Homework should take about 50 minutes nightly with 30 additional minutes for reading as noted in the Lower School Handbook. *Strategies for working ahead will be discussed, and students will know well in advance about tests and due dates for projects.*Students who choose to complete extra credit activities or challenge assignments may invest more time in particular subject areas.

The Character Tree

Fifth graders are the leaders of our Lower School community.

CompassionCourageDedicationHonorRespectResponsibilitySpirit

Fifth grade students will participate in quarterly leadership lessons which provide experiential learning activities focusing on leading self. We are working hard to help our fifth graders understand the ”power of one” and how they can change their own world in positive ways.

In the area of reading an emphasis is put on meeting the individual needs of each student by providing exposure to a variety of genres and reading strategies to develop these skills.• Units of study include Building a Reading Life, Navigating

Nonfiction, Following Characters into Meaning in fiction, and Tackling Complex Texts (historical fiction.)

The students are expected to do the following:• use a variety of strategies to choose “Just Right” books • read a minimum of 30 minutes per night• record independent reading progress through reading logs• set individual goals.• respond to their reading through journaling • engage in active discussions through book clubs, partner sharing,

and group sharing.

Reading & Writing Workshop

• Students develop vocabulary through exposure to multiple word meanings, contextual analysis, and writing activities in addition to continued study of the Wordly Wise 3000 workbook series.

• Students learn study skills and practice test taking

Writing Workshop • Focuses on the writing process of drafting,

conferencing, revising, proofreading, publishing • Areas of study include personal narratives, informational writing,

and memoir• Grammar instruction will be incorporated into workshop through

mini lessons, and students will be expected to practice the grammar conventions they learn in their writing.

• Each student will sign a “grammar contract” that lists the conventions that they are expected to apply consistently in all forms of writing throughout the content areas.

Learning Lab

This course is designed to support and enhance the 5th grade experience for all students. Each student will set goals and develop strategies to accomplish these goals as a part of their Independent Learning Plan. Students will receive direct instruction in small groups and in one-on-one situations from the instructor in reading, writing, and math that supports the instruction delivered during those core academic classes as needed. Other content and skills covered in this course throughout the year for the entire group will include:• Design and maintenance of a digital portfolio• Lead From Here lessons that address specific competencies related to leading self, leading

with others, and changing your world • Organization and study skills including notebook and assignment book checks, and test

preparation• Opportunities to complete missing assignments following absences; extended time for tests

as needed.• Independent reading support • Extension activities/projects for students with academic strengths • Remediation for specific skills upon request of core subject teacher

ScienceInquiry Based Approach - Scientific MethodObserving, Communicating, Measuring, Analyzing, Inferring, Concluding, and Reporting

ResourcesScience Fusion Textbook HMH (write-in, online)Unit Handouts & Yellow Pages - (keep in binder) Labs – Assessments - Science Notebook

Units How Scientists Work – Observation, Scientific Method, ToolsThe Engineering Process – Design Process – Problem solvingEcosystems and Energy – Roles of organisms, environmental changesGeology - Earth's Formation, Rock Cycle, Fossils, Tectonic Plate TheoryMatter - Elements, Phases of Matter, Chemistry Electromagnetism- Magnets, Electrical Circuits, Solar Power Forces and Motion- Gravity, Friction, Newton’s Laws

Science

Social Studies

American history through the Civil War

Reading, discussions, projects

Trip to Colonial Virginia!

Discussions of current national and global events

Math• A problem-solving approach based on everyday situations• Frequent practice of basic skills and an instructional approach

that revisits concepts regularly• A curriculum that explores mathematical content beyond basic

arithmetic• Content strands include numeration, operations and

computation, data and chance, geometry, measurement, patterns, functions, and exploration of beginning algebra concepts.

• Calculators and the IXL online math program are some of the avenues used to integrate technology into the curriculum.

• Homework will be assigned nightly and should take between 15-20 minutes.

• Students in this class will be placed in either Grade 6 or the advanced option of Grade 7 math when they enter 6th grade.

Advanced Math• This section of math is designed for students who were

identified at the end of 4th grade using several different criteria. Students will participate in instructional activities that extend and enrich the Grade 5 curriculum. Exposure to topics presented in middle school math will provide challenging enrichment opportunities for these students. Problem solving will require the application of a variety of strategies and skills, with a particular focus on written explanations for the sequences of steps followed to find solutions. Homework assignments and challenge tasks may require additional time.

• Students who were not placed in this advanced math section will be provided with opportunities to extend their skills with enrichment activities offered during their math class and Learning Lab.

Class of 2023Class of 2023