Curriculum nightSEPTEMBER 18, 2014

Game plan for life

HES is a special place where the EXTRAORDINARY happens! A place

where every individual is COMMITTED to SUCCESS and WINNING AT THE

GAME OF LIFE! We are blazing a path for the future by removing any obstacle that would hinder the

greatness of our students. A path that will allow our students to become

whatever they DREAM or ASPIRE to be!

FIVE STRATEGIC PLAYS:

Play One: BE POSITIVE! Always say I can, not I can’t!

Play Two: BE A LEADER! Always be an example of greatness!

Play Three: BE TEACHABLE! Keep learning every day, every day, EVERY day!

Play Four: BE A TEAM PLAYER! Working together is ALWAYS better!

Play Five: BE TECHNOLOGY LITERATE! Use technology to be more productive not destructive!

TOMAHAWK RULE BOOK

Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do!

Be safe!

Be respectful and responsible!

Be ready to learn!

BALANCED LITERACYBecause reading is a vital skill to be successful

in today’s society, we believe that as educators, our responsibility is to design a reading program that will reach ALL levels of students and will be

relevant, successful, and fun!

Balanced literacy is a program that was developed on the principle that ALL children can read and write!

It follows the gradual release of responsibility from teacher to students.

It incorporates all elements of literacy and integrates other content areas into reading and writing as well.

DAILY FIVE APPROACH

Read to Self

Read to Someone

Word Work

Writer’s Workshop

Teacher Led Guided Reading Groups

SMALL GROUP READING STATIONS15 minute whole group lesson that focuses on a certain skill. Example: Theme

3- 15-20 minute groups where students read on their reading level.

Students practice on the skill that they focus on during the mini lesson as well as comprehension. They also work on previously learned skills in other small groups.

Each student has small group teacher contact daily.

Each student has a vocabulary/spelling folder, writer’s notebook, reader’s notebook, and writing folder.

We focus on a vocabulary/spelling unit for 2 weeks. Tests are every other Friday.

MY MATH CENTER BASED LEARNINGWe use the McGraw Hill “My Math” curriculum which is aligned with Common Core State Standards.

We incorporate math rotations in our daily math lessons.• Teacher led mini lesson• Small groups based on map score strands• Real world math center (games, fluency

practice, hands-on learning)

• You will soon get a log-in for your child to access our math curriculum at home. The My Math website is a GREAT resource. You can access homework pages, mini lessons, and games to practice with your child at home.

• Please practice multiplication facts with your child on a regular basis. Knowing your multiplication facts is KEY to a successful year in 5th grade.

• Additional websites are available upon request!

INQUIRY BASED APPROACH TO SCIENCE

We use an inquiry based approach to our science standardsIn 5th grade. We like to do as many hands on activities/labs/experiments as possible.

At the beginning of the year we do an intensive study of the scientificmethod to get students ready for the science experiments we will do throughoutthe year. We explore the scientific method and how it is used in every aspect of science! (We are ALL scientists!)

Other units of study we explore throughout the year are:• Landforms and Oceans• Ecosystems (Terrestrial and Aquatic)• Properties of Matter• Forces and Motion

SOCIAL STUDIES

Our social studies unit covers 1865- present day.

Here are some of the topics we will study:• Review of the Civil War• Reconstruction• Westward Expansion• Industrialization-Industrial Revolution• Immigration• World War I• Great Depression• World War II• Cold War Era• Current Events• Collapse of Soviet Union• American humanitarian involvement in the world• Irag and Afghanistan Wars• September 11th and terrorism • Technical, cultural, & environmental changes in the United

States

WHAT CAN YOU DO AT HOME?Model writing and reading…make lists, write notes, let your children help you keep records of events!

Create a literature rich environment! Leave books, magazines, and all types of media around for your child to discover!

Encourage your child to write letters, thank you notes, cards, etc.

Have game nights and encourage active learning!

Play interactive games on the internet (website list available)

Listen to books on CD while in the car or at home.

Have your child read aloud to siblings or to you!