Welcome to 5th GradeMrs. Melissa Johnson

Room P-22

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Cotsen Fellowship• The Cotsen Fellowship invites experienced teachers to become

more artful in their approach to teaching. This is accomplished through peer to peer mentoring over the course of two years. Through the process teachers are given intensive long term support in a subject matter that is deemed to be their strength.

• A mentor (fellow educator on special assignment) will offer a set of friendly eyes to help provide feedback in the classroom. The “fellow,” classroom teacher, selects areas of growth for his/her classroom. While the mentor collects the data, freeing the classroom teacher to focus on instruction.

» Contact Ms. Bahena - Cotsen Mentor

» E-mail: rbahena@rowlandschools.org

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Ideas for a Successful Year

• Classroom Packet (PDF on class website) • Punctuality • Attendance • Healthy Lunch/Snacks/Water • Teacher/Parent Communication • Organizational Skills: Homework in

Weekly Folder, Binder, Pens & Pencils, Journals, Art supplies

• Back Table: Sign up - Parent Conferences

Class Information Newsletter

• Newsletters: Emailed at the beginning of IB Units & as necessary

• Subjects and topics to be covered in the coming unit

• Class, School, and District Information

• Please read newsletters and emails

Homework Assignments Posted on class website

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Remind

Remind

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Aeries Gradebook• Grade book used by the district.

• Parent and Student Access

• Usually up to date information • I confer with students on a regular basis so

they are aware of their grades • This is done through the same site we use for

attendance and report cards

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Essential Agreements• Classroom “rules” are

developed by the students. • Off-task behavior will not be

tolerated. • Students need to hear praise

and positive feedback from their teacher and parents.

I. B. UnitsThe following IB Units will be taught this year:

• From There to Here (Central Idea: The struggle for freedom causes people to change environments.)

• What’s the Matter? (Central Idea: Elements accounts for all types of matter in the world.)

• CYCLES-PHOTOSYNTHESIS, WATER, AND ENERGY

• You Say You Want A Revolution, Yeah! (Central Idea:People use their voice for change.)

• Interacting Systems

• Mission Acquisition (Central Idea: Land acquisitions change communities.)

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Daily Schedule 8:20-8:30 Morning Routine: Attendance, Flag Salute, Collect Homework 8:30-9:00 ELD- Language Arts Independent Work 9:00-10:20 Language Arts: Reading, Grammar, Word Study, Writing

10:25-10:30 Recess 10:32-11:30 Social Studies/Science/I.B. Units of Inquiry Research 11:30- 12:15 Lunch 12:15-12:25 Quiet Time 12:25- 1:25 Math 1:25-2:25 Language Arts

2:38 Dismissal *50 Minutes of P.E. on Monday and Friday

*Music on Tuesdays- 9:25- 10:15 *Wednesdays: Spanish - 9:15-10:05

*Thursdays: Library- 1:15-1:45

Reading• Benchmark Units - Reading, Writing, and Mini- Lessons • In Class Read A Loud: Teacher selected books, do not count

for reading goal. • Accelerated Reader Independent Reading

Honor Roll: – Students must read a MINIMUM of one chapter book

every one to two weeks, within their “zone.” • Books must be at grade level or above

If student has Honor Roll intentions, book must be approved by the teacher, 85% or better comprehension will be counted on each reading goal

• Reading List: Available upon request with suggested Grade Level books.

STAR Reading and Math: Renaissance Learning

• You may check your child’s reading scores and goals with your password

• You can track the reading level and books your child is testing

• Levels (STAR Reading and Math) assessed approximately once per month

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Writing• Benchmark and Write from the Beginning –use of

thinking maps • Emphasis on practice or Writing Process:

– Plan, Pre-Write, 2 Rough Drafts, Peer Edits, Publishing of Final Draft

• Emphasis on: Narrative, Opinion, and Informative Writing

• Journals and Note Taking– Based on IB Learner profiles & Attitudes, Vocabulary, Note taking, and organization for reports

Math• Houghton Mifflin: Expressions

• Fluency- Multiplication facts will be tested

• Friday Quizzes – based on Expressions • Daily lessons and activities will focus on SMP’s

and Common Core Standards • End of Unit Tests • Chapter Notes- taken with each lesson

Science• Houghton Mifflin – Systems in Living Things,

Water on Earth, Weather and the Solar System, Elements and their Combinations

• BrainPop lists given with each IB Unit (when applicable)

• Experiments, and Research • Inquiry based • Scientific Method • CAST in Science for 5th Grade • California Science Center field trip

Social Studies• United States History: Reflections, by

Harcourt • States and Capitals (Will be tested in

Spring) • IB Projects and Research • State Projects: State float rubric

given before Spring Break • Riley’s Farms Field Trip

– One Parent Volunteer Per Class: Lottery Drawing

P.E: Physical Fitness Test• 5th Grade tests students on fitness:

– Mile Run – Flexibility – Push Ups – Sit Ups – PE Homework- given later in the year

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Returned Work• Progress Reports – given out approximately

every 6 weeks

• Missing Work – May include “no name” papers and may receive a zero

• Make Up Work- Depending on circumstance • Basic Grading Scale – A, B, C, D, F • Please pay attention to emails for any teacher

concerns

Homework• Homework Assigned Monday through Thursday • MOST Homework is incomplete Classwork • Approximately 50 minutes of homework every

night, plus reading • Reading is required every night • Student Planner- NOT NEEDED • Absences- One day per absence to make up

missing work • We encourage student responsibility and

encourage work completion on time

Extra-Curricular Activities

• Students who leave the classroom for an elective are responsible for making up missed work.

Laptop One-to-One• Hybrid Program

– Student Chromebook – 5(ish) classroom iPads

• 11” Chromebook w/ case • All orders by Monday!!! (8/28)

– In hand about a week later • Approximately $200

• One time payment ONLY – Due at time of purchase – check or money order

– Questions?

– MP room Thursday 8/24 – 4-5pm

– or email Dr. Despard

Additional Reminders: • PTSA membership: Please Join- One membership per student

• Birthdays: Treats to be distributed the last 5 minutes of the day

• BOX tops- continue to bring them in!

• 4th Thursday of the Month- Dine Out Night- with the local restaurants. Take the local flyer, and school gets extra money for different groups at school

• Thank you for following the Dress Code Policy!

• EarthQuake kit- bring it in

• Peachjar- Please sign up because all flyers are going through email

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Conclusion• Please write an encouraging, positive

note to your child • Sign-Up for a Parent Conference for

your child • Contact Information for parents • Email: melissaj@rowlandschools.org • School Phone: (626) 854-8520 ext. 1842

THANK YOU FOR COMING!