Welcome, Parents!

Please be seated at your childs desk Take a moment to look around the room Read through the letter from your child Begin to ll out the Enrollment/Health Card Jot any questions you have on the index card and leave on my desk at the end of presentation

Back to School Night

Sarah Schwinge August 29, 2013

About Me
B.A. from UC San Diego Teaching Credential and Masters in Education from UC Davis 7th year at Garden Gate 5th grade is my favorite grade to teach!

My Goals This Year

Create a safe and comfortable learning environment Encourage curiosity and enthusiasm for learning Promote respect and understanding for others Achieve high levels of understanding in all content areas Increase responsibility (middle school, here we come!)

Writing
Focus: Effective, thoughtful communication
Step-Up to Writing program Personal Narrative Research Reports Persuasive Poetry Response to Literature

Reading
Focus: comprehension and analysis
Houghton Mifin anthology selections Class literature (The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E.
Frankweiler, The Sign of the Beaver, Roald Dahl Literature Circles, The Indian in the Cupboard)

Book Nook time Read-Alouds Nightly reading Scholastic Book Orders

Oral Language
Friday Speeches
Every other week approximately 2 minutes Topics may be personal or research-based

Vocabulary
Prexes and sufxes Encourages independent meaning deduction Contract Exams every other week

Spelling
Typically based on readings Regular vs. Challenge Contract Exams every other week

Math
Focus: thinking, communicating, problem-solving
Houghton Mifin textbook, worksheets Topics: number theory (including decimals, fractions and percentage), measurement, geometry, patterns and functions, probability statistics, logic, algebra Problem of the Month (P.O.M) MARS tasks Math Talks

Technology
Supplements core curriculum Basics (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel) And more: internet research, wikis, podcasts, blogs, Google Docs Homework will require internet access (students need to be monitored)

P.E., Music, Art

P.E. 45 min each Monday and Tuesday Music 45 min each Thursday SPECTRA Art volunteer-run 90 min every other week training on Thursday, Sept. 12 8:15-9:45am in Art Room

Homework
Student Planner Posted on wiki by students Approximately 45-60 minutes per night math packet, spelling or vocabulary contract, miscellaneous social studies, science, and writing, 30-minutes of reading
Assignment Sheet

Grade Level Activities

Native American Day Winter Rotations Valentines Day Ice-Cream Social Colonial Day Field trips - theater, science camp

Grading
CUSD 6-Point Rubric Based on grade-level standards Report cards issued 3 times per year Grades based upon assignments, tests, and projects (homework used for reinforcement and practice) Student-led conferences in October (to
review strengths, areas to improve, and goals)

COMMON CORE STANDARDS

Shift to 21st Century Learning 4Cs: collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity Goal: college and career ready 8 Mathematical Practices Literacy across all subjects

Healthy campus
Sweets allowed once per month Sweets usually appear during grade-level celebrations Birthday favor suggestions pens, pencils, stickers, stamps

Recycling
Raises funds for science camp (information night is Thursday, September 15) School collection each Friday at lunch We need help! Adults supervising the sorting Adults dropping off at local recycling centers for redemption Bring bottles and cans from home or from the community

Class Website
bookmark: tinyurl.com/schwinge12 Sarah Schwinge: schwinge_sarah@cusdk8.org 408.252.5414 x212

room 12 texts

Guessing Game
Grab the sticky note on your childs desk Head to the back of the room and try to identify which Fabulous 5th Grader is your child Stick the sticky note on the portrait you believe is your child (no cheating!) Lift the portrait to check Remember: Dont move the sticky note if youre wrong- the students will get a kick out of incorrect guesses when they return tomorrow!