A Parent’s Guide to 5-1

2018-2019

Olive - Mary Stitt School

Mrs. Chris Muhr
School Phone: 847-398-4282
E-mail: cmuhr@sd25.org

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin

In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through
dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love
of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all great people
have had these qualities.
-Dr. Carol Dweck
 Class Members:

Jake Bell
Nathan Ceballos
Diego Chavez
Natalia Dawidowicz
Vivienne DeRosa
Freddy Eichorn
Owen Fischer
Megan Jansen
Caden Kerpec
Lucia Kim
Philip Kopacz
Amy Reyna
Leah Reynolds
Evan Rosenberg
Jaeda Spiczka
Casey Stannis
Macey Teuscher
Will Trawczynski
Helena Vincent
Tyler Wolff
Julian Zdyrski
Colette Zimmer

Room Representatives:
Adriana Bell, Kelly DeRosa, Bridget Stannis

Other Fifth Grade Teachers:

Mr. Edstrom, Mrs. Fowler, Mrs. Klimas and Mrs. Tranter
 Fifth Grade Schedules/Opportunities

Specials
Tuesday: Art 10:25-11:10
Wednesday: Music/P.E. 10:10-11:10
Thursday: LMC 10:10-11:10
Friday: Gym/Music 10:10-11:10

Patrol Duty-Monday for 5-1

All students have one patrol responsibility per week.
AM Patrol = 8:50-9:00
PM Patrol = 3:30-3:40
(Stations will switch at each trimester)

Special jobs
Fifth grade classes take turns monthly with leading the Pledge of Allegiance during
morning announcements, collecting attendance folders, sweeping floors in the
lunchroom, and organizing the lunch cards.

Morning Announcements
In the past, a staff person has corresponded with students about signing up. Parents
received an email reminder the week prior. Students came to school early, and they
will work with a partner. This procedure is changing and is TBD.

Band
All students in band will meet (probably) Wednesday mornings at 8:10 for a whole group
band lesson as well as a small group lesson for one 30 minute lesson per week on a
rotating schedule (Wednesdays and Thursdays). Mrs. Kuzmanoff will send emails
directly to parents about band activities. Students are responsible for making up the
work they will miss in class (during their band lesson) for homework that night.

Kindergarten Buddies
Our class will meet on a regular basis with a kindergarten or first grade class for a
special “Buddies” time. Fifth graders often play a learning game, complete an activity
or craft, and then read with their buddy. This will start in October.
 CURRICULUM

Math
(Singapore Math/Math in Focus)
More details on next page

Reading
(Schoolwide Reading Program)
Notice and Note reading strategies
Novel Studies
Projects: Cereal Box/Commercial and Bio-Bottles/Speeches
RAH Journals

Writing
(Writer’s Express-WEX)
Personal Narrative/Short Fiction/Response to Fiction
Informational/Explanatory Text-Based Writing
Editorials-Persuasive Writing
Constructed responses (Claim/Evidence/Explanation)
Grammar (noredink)
Spelling (Words Their Way)

Science
(Science Companion)
Earth in Space
Investigating Matter
Ecosystems-Human Impact

(Robert Crown)
Science Behind Drugs and Prevention (SBDP)
How Your Body Changes (Linda & Michael)
How Life Begins

Social Science
(History Alive)
Unrest in the Colonies
American Revolution
Declaration of Independence
Constitution
Westward Expansion
 Math in Focus

Math in Focus curriculum strives to develop conceptual understanding with

the goal of content mastery. Concepts are taught moving through a sequence
of concrete to pictorial to abstract. Concrete learning happens through
hands-on activities with math manipulatives, such as counters, coins, number
lines, or base ten blocks. Pictorial learning uses pictures, drawings, or other
forms that illustrate the concept with something more than abstract
numbers. Finally, abstract learning requires students to use numerals,
strategies, and problem solving methods to solve problems.

Math in Focus supports the goals of the Illinois Learning Standards for
Mathematics. It is a research-based program that focuses on classroom
learning, discussion and practice. It strives to balance conceptual
understanding, visual learning, and problem solving.

Students will have access to math manipulatives, student workbooks, student

textbooks and online resources.
 Homework
Homework is intended to be purposeful and primarily consist of assignments that
have been started in the classroom. Homework should be turned in on time and legible,
with grammar & spelling checked by the student, and with complete thoughts and full
sentences where appropriate. Help your child set aside time and find a good work
space. Encourage independence in preparation for middle school.

Organization/Assignment Notebook/Accordian File

Fifth grade is preparation for middle school. Organization can be a challenging
skill for many students. Please review your child’s assignment notebook each day and
use the Key in your child’s file as a reference as you help them keep papers going in the
right direction. Clean out files from “Finished” section daily or at least weekly.

RAH Journals
Your child will record the minutes read each day to the nearest five minutes. On
Wednesday evening, he/she should add the minutes (using a calculator is fine), write
the total, and ask you to sign the journal entry. These are due every Thursday.

Spelling-Words Their Way/Spelling City/Quizlet

Students will learn and sort spelling words using Words Their Way activities. The
online programs Spelling City and Quizlet will also be used for spelling practice.

Grammar-No Red Ink

This is an online program for grammar skills. Students will have weekly assignments and
tests. If a student catches on quickly to an assignment, the practice sessions will take
less time. More practice and assistance are given to a student who is struggling.

Re-takes/Re-dos
Students will be given more than one opportunity to demonstrate mastery of skills and
material. The goal is to meet or exceed standards.

Projects
There are two major projects which require support from home, which are the
Biography Bio-Bottle/Speech and the Fantasy/Science Fiction Cereal Box/commercial.

Incentives/Celebrations
10th Inning for homework completion and appropriate behavior, earning a monthly
activity with other fifth grade students.
Cotton Ball Jar for quiet transitions in and out of the classroom, earning an activity
for the class, chosen by the class when the jar is full.
High Fives for positive individual and team behavior, earning various privileges such as
a monthly lunch party in the classroom for five drawn names and five guests.
Privilege Passes earned for being on time, completing homework, and doing classroom
job.
Birthdays… Celebrating Each Student

During or near your child’s birthday (or half birthday) week, your child will be given some
special attention in our classroom. Please assist your child in creating a poster collage (no
foam board, please), which includes your child’s name, pictures, captions, artwork, etc. to
display in the classroom. The posters will be stored at school during the school year, displayed
in the hallway at the end of the year, and then sent home. Students also place items in “What’s
in the Sack” and classmates guess the meaning of each of the items. A few other personal
items may be also be brought in for a brief sharing time. Please don’t send fragile or valuable
items to school.

Below is the schedule for our Birthday celebrations, listed by first day of the week. First
priority was given to actual birthdays followed by half birthdays. If your child wants to switch
do a different week, let me know.

Week of school Name and Birthday

August 27 Jaeda Spiczka – August 24
September 4 Helena Vincent – August 31
September 10 Owen Fischer – September 6

September 17, September 24, October 1, October 9 (Open)

October 15, October 22, October 29 (Open)

November 5 Colette Zimmer – November 6

November 12 Lucia Kim – November 28
November 26 Evan Rosenberg – December 3
December 3 Julian Zdyrski – December 3
December 10 Phillip Kopacz – June 20 (Half birthday Dec. 20)
December 17 Nate Ceballos – December 19
January 7 Tyler Wolff – June 27 (Half birthday Dec. 27)
January 14 Will Trawczynski – July 5 (Half birthday Jan. 5)
January 22 Vivienne DeRosa – January 22
January 28 Freddy Eichorn – July 11 (Half birthday Jan. 11)
February 4 Megan Jansen – July 11 (Half birthday January 11)
February 11 Jake Bell – August 8 (Half birthday February 8)
February 19 Natalia Dawidowicz –Aug. 17 (Half b-day Feb. 17)
February 25 Amy Reyna – March 4
March 4 Macey Teuscher – March 4
March 11 Caden Kerpec – March 6

March 18, April 1, April 8, April 15 (Open)

April 23 Leah Reynolds – April 28
April 29 (Open)
May 6 Casey Stannis – May 12
May 13 Diego Chavez – May 21
 COMMUNICATION

Blog/Email
I update the classroom blog/website weekly. The purpose of the blog/website is to
share important classroom activities and photos taken. I will send an email with a
link when I update the blog. I will also be emailing important information regularly.

Google Classroom
Students will be accessing some information and assignments through Google
classroom. Students can log into their Google accounts then click on “Classroom.”
Some assignments can be turned in here, reviewed by me and “handed” back online.

Assignment Notebooks
Assignments are written down daily. For the first month, I will initial each student’s
assignment notebook. Later, student helpers will check and stamp student
planners. Students who need extra help will continue to be checked by me. Please
review your child’s assignments with him/her as needed. Some students manage
their assignments on their own at this age, and some need support.

Accordian File
Send notes, lunch money, or permission slips with your child in the Notes section.
Check this section for notes from school. Please sign strikes that come home and
help your child make sure the assignment is completed. A second strike is issued if
a parent does not sign the first strike.

Conferences
There are two scheduled conferences during the year. Sign up for conferences will be
online again this year. Fall conferences are scheduled for October 18 and 19. Spring
conferences are March 21 and 22.

Email
Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions or concerns about your
child. The best way to reach me is by email: cmuhr@sd25.org

Note from Mrs. Muhr

I truly believe that it is a privilege for me to teach your child this year. I hope that we
can partner together to help your child to grow in every way. Thank you for the time
and effort you have already put into helping your child succeed as a student and
helping me to succeed as their teacher. I look forward to a great year!