Classroom Management
In 5th grade, we use our Wolford Rocks program to encourage positive behaviors throughout the school and in class.
The management chart up here at the front has 4 ticket colors.
Green is at the start of each day for everyone-all is well and smooth sailing.
Yellow is a warning that better choices for improving behavior needs to occur.
Blue is a partial consequence of losing some recess and that I am sad better choices haven’t occurred yet.
Red is the loss of a full recess and an email home.
The PBIS program using tickets will continue this year. Students can earn a ticket by staying green all day, using their planners daily, and other individual efforts.
Students can be recognized at assemblies by demonstrating leadership type qualities designated for the month. Everyone will not achieve this.
Technology in the Classroom
Regular technology use will continue as it prepares your student to be ready for middle school, high school and beyond. We will continue the Personalized Learning Project with iPads for each students and laptops regularly. If you do not want to use our iPad, let me know.
Your students are used to using iPads and I expect them to be using them appropriately and where I have asked or there will be consequences.
Apps for education will allow us to collaborate easily.
I will be using the document camera for interactive lessons online, and for student use along with other educational sites, videos, etc.
I will also utilize the smartboard for student engagement with interactive lessons for all subjects.
The students will blog on Seesaw, create Google docs/slides, and use a variety of digital resources this year to enhance project based learning.
Please have your child bring their own headphones to use
Math Curriculum
Math Curriculum = Go Math
All Basic math facts must be mastered and should be practiced regularly at home to make sure this goal is met. Hard work this year will pay off and give you a great start in 6th grade.
Place Value –whole numbers and decimals
Long multiplication (4-digit by 3-digit) and long division (4-digit divided by 2-digit)
Real World Problem Solving – (single and multi-step)
Decimals
Fractions
Measurement
Graphing
Money
Collecting and Analyzing Data
Patterns and Relationships
Estimating
Area, Perimeter, Volume
Rations and Probability
Reading Curriculum
Balanced Literacy Approach
Whole Group Instruction: text structures, summary & main idea, analyzing text, implied meaning (inferences)
Differentiated Guided Reading Groups
Wonders Reading Program
Real-World Text
Reading Skills (will follow the CCSS/Colorado State Standards)
Writing/Language Arts Curriculum
Writer’s Workshop Model – Planning strategies, Organization (traffic light), Purpose & Audience, Style, and Conventions (grammar)
Spelling – patterns, Friday Assessments (or day 5 of unit), application of spelling patterns in writing (graded periodically)
Information Literacy – Gathering and evaluating information
Critical Thinking – Reasoning, Questioning, Finding Evidence
Presentation & Collaboration –Discussions/groups, active listening, multimedia presentations
Vocabulary – Understanding unknown words, enhancing vocabulary, word relationships
Social Studies Curriculum - History Alive
Map and Globe Skills
Geography
Economics
Government
American History
Explorers
Colonial Times
Revolutionary War
Constitution
Science Curriculum
Scientific Method
Plant and Animal Adaptations
Mixtures and Solutions
Weather on Earth
Human Body
Land and Water
Homework Policy
No more than 50 minutes of homework per night (usually M-Th.)
25-30 minutes of reading each night (can combine to read longer one night and less on another based on individual schedules and can include family and real world reading as well as novels/graphic novels included).
Homework is due the next day unless stated differently. Use the planner daily. I recommend parents checking them as well. This will help prepare for 6th grade.
If homework is not completed, students will be required to complete it during recess time or a time designated by the teacher.
As a previous 6th grade teacher, I know where your student needs to be at the end of the year in order to be successful next year. Take turning homework in on time seriously and you will be ready. Homework determines grades too!
A missed homework slip will be sent home to be signed and returned the next day with a parent signature.
Birthday Treats and Snacks
We love birthday treats! Please email me in advance to schedule a time to drop them off.
We will have a working morning snack. Please keep these snacks healthy and easy to eat (No candy or soda).
We are peanut free.
Volunteers
I appreciate classroom volunteers! I will need help with Friday Folders, our annual field trip, someone to be in charge of class parties (with other parents pitching in), etc. I envision a different lead party planner for each party in order to spread things around and please sign up at the back table. If you are interested in volunteering, please see Karla or Joan in the office for a volunteer packet. Thanks so much for your time and efforts on behalf of our classroom.
Communication
Notes sent in with your child or emails are fine. These can serve as a communication tool between home and school.
Friday Folders: There is a dual purpose for 5th grade folders. On the left side you will find your student’s classwork, quizzes, tests etc. completed that week. In addition, you will find a signature sheet – please examine the work with your child, sign/date, and return the folder (keep work at home). On the right side, you will find notices/forms/information from the office and district.