5th Grade Parent Orientation

Rolling Acres Middle SchoolMay 20, 2014

Core Teacher Introductions

• Mr. Duncan• Math

• Mrs. Emken• Inclusion

• Mr. Morrison • Science and Social Studies

• Miss Zielinski• English Language Arts

The five core subjects compose three blocks within our scheduling. English Language Arts, Math, and Science/Social Studies make up those blocks. Each block runs for 82 minutes.

Encore TeacherIntroductions

• Mr. Bainter• Band and Orchestra

• Mrs. Bally• Art

• Miss Garcia• Spanish

• Miss Rora• Gym

• Ms. Roemer• Chorus

Our school is run on an A/B schedule. Therefore, Encore teachers see their students every other day throughout the entire year.

Science • Materials Needed:• Science Fusion

textbook• 1 Spiral Notebook• Pencils

• Homework:• The investigations are

done in the classroom, while workbook pages are completed at home.

Science class integrates a curriculum called Science Fusion.

This curriculum has modules that are video based projects,

which encourage thinking maps and in-depth vocabulary skills. In addition, students participate in hands-on experiments that

directly coincide with the computer/video activities.

Grades are primarily composed of the Brain Check section of the textbook, Science Investigation

Journals, and assessments.

Social Studies• Materials:• Social Studies textbook• 1 Spiral Notebook• Pencils

• Homework:• Assignments are given

approximately one to two times per week. Periodic projects, such as the Native American dioramas, map models, timelines, and biographies, are given throughout the year.

The textbook used for this class is called Social Studies: The United States. The textbook is broken down into units allowing students the opportunity to discover new knowledge about early Native Americans, colonial life, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and how America relates to the rest of the world. During the first quarter, the focus is primarily centered on map skills.

Math • Materials:• 2 Plastic Folders• Paper• Pencils

• Homework:• Assignments are given

three times per week and come in the form of worksheets.

Math instruction is delivered through a curriculum called Connected Math and other supplemented materials. This curriculum requires higher level thinking and integrates group work. Differentiated group activities occur throughout the year based on NWEA data.

Reading and Language Arts

• Materials:• Open Court textbook• Reading binder with Dividers• Pencils• Accelerated Reader book

• Homework:• Daily assignments

• Routine:• Students begin class with a “Must

Do,” and then move into daily language arts lessons. Next, students participate in a mini-lesson regarding reading skills/strategies. Finally, students apply their knowledge to novels, weekly stories, or workshop stations.

Instruction is provided through the use of whole class activities, mini lessons, and workshop stations. Students read a variety of texts, including Open Court stories, Internet articles, whole class novels, and guided reading books.

Sample Student ScheduleHour/Period

Time Subject/Teacher

1st 7:30 – 7:37 Homebase2nd 7:40 – 8:21 Intervention3rd 8:24 – 9:05 Reading (Miss Zielinski)4th 9:08- 9:49 Language Arts (Miss Zielinski)5th 9:52 – 10:33 Science (Mr. Morrison)6th 10:36 – 11:17 Social Studies (Mr. Morrison)Lunch 11:19 – 11:497th 11:52 – 12:33 Choir (A) or Gym (B)8th 12:36 – 1:17 Art (A) or Spanish (B)9th 1:20 – 2:01 Math (Mr. Duncan)10th 2:04 – 2:45 Math (Mr. Duncan)

Homework Planners• A homework planner is given out to each student free of

charge on the first day of school.

• Students carry their planners with them to each class, as well as, bring them home daily. Planners also serve as hallway passes.

• Important documents and notes are oftentimes stapled or clipped into the planners (i.e. progress reports).

• Planners become a means of communication between school and home.

• Lost planners can be replaced for a fee as long as supplies last.

Homework PlannerOutside Cover Inside Cover

LockersUsage

• Students are assigned designated locker breaks throughout each school day. • Current Locker Break Times:• before school, before

lunch, after lunch, and after school

• School locks are assigned to each student free of charge.

Helpful Organization Tips

• Locker shelves

• Magnets

• Labeled or colored coded binders, notebooks, and folders

Family Access/Websites

• Parents/Guardians can follow along with each teacher’s grade books by way of Family Access. This resource is available to you at www.psd150.org

• Teacher websites are available to you when you access the District 150 Rolling Acres home page.

Accelerated Reader

• https://hosted22.renlearn.com/183360

• www.arbookfind.com • Each quarter, students are assigned a pre-determined number of Accelerated Reader (A.R.) points that must be attained by the end of each quarter.

• Library books are identified with a point value based on its level of difficulty and length.

• Upon completion of a book, students take a ten question, multiple choice test to demonstrate their comprehension of the story. Points are attained by way of success on the A.R. test.

Web-Based Curriculum• NWEA

• This district-wide assessment is given three times per year (Fall, Winter, and Spring).

• Data collection on each student benefits both the classroom instruction, as well as, targets each student’s learning path via Compass Learning.

• Type to Learn 4• This is a typing program to

assist students in attaining typing skills, which will be beneficial with computer-based assessments and projects.

• Odyssey Compass Learning• Students regularly utilize

Compass Learning each week .

• Math and Reading are the subjects most heavily focused on during in-school hours.

• Students are able to access Compass Learning from home and are permitted to attend to any of the offered subjects.

iPads• We have a fifth grade iPad cart, which consists of 30 iPads. • Students regularly use the iPads to enhance their level of learning,

research, and technology skills. • Sample uses include: reading workshop, project research, note-taking skills,

thinking maps, and composition of writing.

Dress Code

Colors:• Collared Shirts: red,

white, navy, and light blue

• Pants: navy, black, and khaki

Expectations:

• Belts must be worn. • Shirts and sweatshirts should

not have logos.• Shirts must be tucked in.• Undershirts must be dress

code colors. • Sandals must have back

straps. • R.A. spirit wear is permitted.• Yoga pants are not permitted.

School-Wide Expectations•Be respectful.•Be responsible.

•Be ready.•Be safe.

Expectations are stated daily during morning announcements.

Cougar Cash• Handed out as part of our

positive behavior initiative.

• Students receive Cougar Cash when caught doing the right thing throughout each day.

• Weekly drawings are held for free dress days based on Cougar Cash collections.

• As Cougar Cash accumulates, students earn prizes such as free dress days, pizza parties, job shadowing, etc.

Ace Room/Stop Sheets• ACE Room:

• The ACE room is a form of discipline for students who are not responding to Stop Sheets, have an accumulation of Stop Sheets, or for students who are interrupting the learning environment.

• The ACE Room can be used for one class period, half a day, or the entire day.

• STOP Sheets:• A reflection sheet that is used to

encourage students to accept responsibility for their behavior and identify ways in which they can make better their behavioral performance. The accumulation of STOP Sheets may prevent a student from attending PBIS incentives or field trips.

• Saturday School: • Three hour Saturday detention

that is either assigned by Mr. Barber, six tardies in two weeks, or due to an accumulation of four STOP Sheets in one week.

Extra-Curricular Activities

• Athletics:• Boys’ Baseball• Girls’ Softball• Boys’/Girls’

Basketball • Girls’ Volleyball• Boys’/Girls’ Soccer• Boys’/Girls’ Track • Cheerleading• Boys’/Girls’ Golf

• Academic:• Math Counts (7th/8th

Grades)

• iPad Club• Chess Club (6th Grade)

• Student Council• Homework Club• Yearbook Club

Question and Answer Session