Team Water: Policies and Procedures
Teachers:
- ELA: Amy McMullin and Christina Myers
- Science: Michelle Wiedl
- Math: Katie Klarner
Curriculum
ELA:
The Reading Workshop is based on balanced literacy and includes mini lessons, small-group work, individual conferences, and independent reading. Students will read for a deeper meaning, and continue to develop skills such as, questioning and analyzing the text, and recognizing different points of view.
The writing curriculum is focused on 3 types of writing: narrative, opinion, and informative. They will be guided through the writing process with use of mini-lessons and conferences. Students will draft and revise various writings based on these 3 types of writing.
Grammar: Grammar will be taught during the writing block and integrated with writing.
Spelling:
The spelling program is implemented during homeroom time. Students will be learning about specific spelling rules and patterns. Students will complete a weekly spelling packet independently for morning work. What is not finished that day will be completed at home. Students should practice their spelling words daily. Packets will be issued on Friday and tested the following Thursday.
Social Studies:
For social studies, we will be learning about the cultures of Native Americans, early exploration, early settlements, and colonies. This content will be taught through nonfiction text, multi-media, and projects. They will be given tests based on the concepts taught.
Science:
Social Studies:
For social studies, we will be learning about the cultures of Native Americans, early exploration, early settlements, and colonies. This content will be taught through nonfiction text, multi-media, and projects. They will be given tests based on the concepts taught.
Science:
Our Science curriculum provides many opportunities for inquiry-based learning. We will incorporate the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) through the integration of MySci Kits and Discovery Education. Our Units will include Earth and Space Systems, Physical Science, and Life Science. Students will learn these concepts through cooperative learning, hands-on activities, experiments, and nonfiction reading.
Math:
Our Math in Focus curriculum is based on the Singapore method of teaching math & features a problem-based approach to learning math concepts. This year, students will be strengthening their computation strategies so that they can work with fractions, decimals, and other mathematical areas on much more complex levels than any year previous.
This year, your fifth grader will…
…develop problem-solving skills & strategies that can transfer to unique problems & scenarios.
…multiply & divide 2-digit numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, & decimals.
…solve equations and evaluate inequalities.
…find the area of 2-D shapes and the surface area & volume of 3-D figures.
…work with ratios and percentages, probabilities, and graph & analyze corresponding data.
…apply properties of angles, triangles, and quadrilaterals.
5th Grade Math in Focus Curriculum:
Chapter 1: Whole Numbers
Chapter 2: Whole Number Multiplication & Division
Chapter 3: Fractions & Mixed Numbers
Chapter 4: Multiplying & Dividing Fractions & Mixed Numbers
Chapter 5: Algebra
Chapter 6: Area
Chapter 7: Ratio
Chapter 8: Decimals
Chapter 9: Multiplying & Dividing Decimals
Chapter 10: Percent
Chapter 11: Graphs & Probability
Chapter 12: Angles
Chapter 13: Properties of Triangles & Four-Sided Figures
Chapter 14: Surface Area & Volume
Essential Math "Need-to-Knows":
- Homework is typically assigned every night. Homework is NOT taken for a grade; it is reviewed & used to review and learn. Practice & understanding are the emphases of homework, so feel free to help!
- Check your child's planner or my individual math blog for homework & other curricular details (lesson plans, study resources, etc.).
- Some review materials may be sent home, others may be emailed, & others are available to download via my class blog.
- There are typically two quizzes and one test per chapter.
- Quiz retakes are made available to any student at any time. The retake score is averaged with the original quiz score. Anyone can help a student complete his/her quiz retake - review, learning, and mastery are the goal!
- Math grades are calculated from a student’s quiz and test scores.
Homework:Your child will be receiving about 50 to 60 minutes of homework each night. If your child does not have his/her homework on the assigned day, he or she will receive a "reminder". The student will need to make up the assignment as soon as possible. Parents are encouraged to look at their child’s planner to review homework assignments, but are not expected to sign the planner. Homework can consist of: daily work assigned by teachers, unfinished classwork, projects, music practice, practicing math facts (if needed), reading, studying for tests and reinforcement of skills.
Calling Home:
In an effort to foster responsibility and accountability, students will not be allowed to call home for missing homework, lunches, or instruments.
Classroom Management:
As a Fifth-Grade Center, we have high expectations of not only high student achievement but also student behavior. Students will continue to develop the skills to work together in a productive and collaborative manner in their learning community.
Detailed information was provided in the student handbook sent home the first week of school about our school-wide behavior management system. To recap: When a student exhibits a behavior that goes against our R.O.A.R.S. expectations, he or she receives a reminder mark. If a student receives 3 reminders for homework or behavior in a week, he or she will go to the office to reflect using a re-think sheet, which will be brought home for a parent signature. A Weekly Reflection sheet will be filled out each week by the homeroom teacher and the student. This sheet is sent home in the child's Friday Folder. The reflection sheet needs to be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to school by Tuesday at the very latest. Positive behaviors are also noted in several ways.
- Dragon Deeds will be given out to students who show exemplary R.O.A.R.S. (Respect, Open-Mindedness, Achievement, Responsibility, and Safe) behavior. Students who do not receive any Reminders during the week are eligible for a Dragon Deed. The names of these students will be read weekly on the morning announcements.
- "Ticket to Sail" slips will be given out to individual students on Team Water who show exemplary R.O.A.R.S. (Respect, Open-Mindedness, Achievement, Responsibility, and Safe) behavior within our classrooms. These will be entered into weekly drawings for special recognition within Team Water homerooms.
- When a class as a whole is showing exemplary R.O.A.R.S. (Respect, Open-Mindedness, Achievement, Responsibility, and Safe) behavior they can earn a Sailboat to go on our team bulletin board. These Sailboats will translate into the number of minutes students from each homeroom will participate in our Team Water celebrations. These celebrations will take place at various times throughout the year.
Birthdays:
Students will be recognized on their birthday. For the safety of all our students, birthday treats are only allowed through Chartwells. Chartwells can provide options for birthday treats that your child could share during their lunchtime. You can contact Sue Blumm for more information. Order forms can be found on the Ladue School District website under food and nutrition.
Students will be recognized on their birthday. For the safety of all our students, birthday treats are only allowed through Chartwells. Chartwells can provide options for birthday treats that your child could share during their lunchtime. You can contact Sue Blumm for more information. Order forms can be found on the Ladue School District website under food and nutrition.
Gym Shoes:
Students are required to wear gym shoes during the school day.
Gum:
There is no gum allowed during the school day.
Snacks/Water Bottles:
We will not be having any snacks during the school day. Students are able to bring in water bottles from home for the classroom. Please do not send flavored water or sports drinks.
Bringing in lunch
If you want to deliver lunch to your child, it needs to be done before your child’s lunchtime.
Students are required to wear gym shoes during the school day.
Gum:
There is no gum allowed during the school day.
Snacks/Water Bottles:
We will not be having any snacks during the school day. Students are able to bring in water bottles from home for the classroom. Please do not send flavored water or sports drinks.
Bringing in lunch
If you want to deliver lunch to your child, it needs to be done before your child’s lunchtime.
