Curriculum Night

• Thursday, September 3rd , 2015

Be Courteous to Others

• Turn all cell phones to vibrate

• Answer all calls outside the school, not in the room or common areas

• Ask questions that pertain to the group, not questions that are for an individual student’s unique situation.

Welcome to Room 10Welcome to Room 10

• Thank you for coming to Curriculum Night, a.k.a. Back-to-School Night

• My goal this evening is to give you an overview of the curriculum.

• Time is limited so there will not be an opportunity for individual conferences

• Thank you again for your time and support. I look forward to working with you and your child this year.

Mrs. Gina Cahill

• I was born and raised in Indiana.

• I received my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Purdue University.

• This is my eleventh year teaching fifth grade at Blue Hills.

• I have five years previous experience teaching second and third grades in Florida, including a 2nd/3rd grade combo class.

• I am married to an actual rocket scientist and have two

wonderful children; Megan, age 21, and Scott, age 17. • My indulgences include Starbucks and scrap-booking.

Communication Information

• School phone number (408) 257-9282 extension # 210

• E-mail address: cahill_gina@cusdk8.org If you have not yet received a “Room 10” e-mail from me, please e-mail

me and let me know.

• Website:• http://teacherweb.com/CA/BlueHills/Mrs.Cahill/index.html

Homework postings

I. Fifth Grade Focus

• Fifth grade is a pivotal year before your child reaches middle school and pre-adolescence. This year we will focus on your child’s ability to develop, demonstrate and accept responsibility for his or her learning and behavior.

• Accordingly, I encourage all students to come to the Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences in October.

II. Class Expectations and Discipline Policy:

• Our classroom emphasizes The Three Bobcat Be’s; Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful.

• Be Safe includes safety for yourself and others.• Be Responsible means owning the behavior and

choices they make.• Be Respectful includes showing respect to

adults, peers, and school property.

• ICMM means I Can Manage Myself and is a way to keep track of completed homework assignments.

• Study Hall: For missing assignments, the student will need to go to study hall during recess..

ICMM

• ICMM stands for "I Can Manage Myself". It is an incentive and recognition system for the students to turn

their homework in on time and complete.

• After each twelve week period, if the student has missed three assignments or less, they earn an ICMM card. 1st card Silver 2nd card Gold 3rd A Trip to the Prize Table

• Many students are excited by getting this reward and recognition of their good work habits.

Consequences

• Students making good choices earn privileges• Students making inappropriate choices will earn

a consequence that is commissary with their behavior. It can include: Changing card on the Behavior Chart Reflection time in another part of the room or in a

different room Loss of class earned “free time” (Fabulous Friday) E-mail home Parent/Teacher/Student conference

III. Homework Policy

• Homework is an important way of developing skills, responsibility, and organizational strategies.

• Students are responsible for their homework. • Generally homework will not be assigned over the weekend,

sometimes there are exceptions.• A parent needs to write me a note or e-mail me if there are

extenuating circumstances to incomplete homework. • If you feel your child is spending too much time on

homework, please contact me.

IV Grading

• Students will be graded on a combination of homework, projects, in-class assignments, tests, quizzes, informal assessments, and participation.

• Physical education and music are graded by their PE and Music teachers

• CUSD is changing to a 4 point scoring system

1: Beginning Proficiency 2: Developing Proficiency 3: Proficient ( grade level understanding TARGET) 4: Exemplary (consistently demonstrates above

grade level understanding and abilities)

V. Organization

• A large part of fifth grade is organization• Names and Numbers on all papers• Deadlines

• Binders dividers with pockets ALL homework and class work is stored in their binder until

it is due, this makes it easier for you to check their completed work.

VI. Reading/Writing

• Workshop Model• Craft a mini-

lesson• Allow students

time to think, do, and practice

• Reflect on the day’s lesson

IX Speech:

• Speech and Oral Presentations Individual and group presentations are throughout

the year.

Some will be at home Some will be in class

X. Spelling/Grammar

• This year I will be embedding the spelling and grammar in the reading and writing lessons. There will not be a traditional spelling word list or Friday test. Instead, the lessons will come from our reading and writing together.

VII Math

• Mathematics (Houghton Mifflin). We have a new math program alligned with the concepts of Common Core Standards..

• Concepts include place value, exponents, fractions, decimals, percentages, geometry, algebra, and the coordinate grid.

• Students are expected to SHOW ALL WORK. Period.• There is a math placement test for middle school.• Math Club is during lunch.

VIII. Social Studies

• 5th A New Nation (Scott Foresman) will focus on American History, from early Native Americans through the American Revolution. States and Capitals are also a big focus.

• We will focus on• Test taking and study skills • Group projects, oral presentations, and

group discussions.

XI. Science

• Fifth grade science covers three major units: Water Planet Mixtures and Solutions Living Systems

• Fifth graders will have Human Growth and Development in the spring.

• Science Camp is March 29 – April 1, 2016

• Rockets: an extra-curricular activity for fifth during lunch Parents volunteers are needed to work with the Rocket

program.

XII. Specials

• Tuesday Library 8:30AM – 9:00AM

• Wednesday Music 8:50AM - 9:35AM

• Thursday P.E. 8:50AM - 9:35AM

• Friday P.E. 8:05AM - 9:05AM

Volunteers Needed!

• Traffic DutyOctober 2nd through October 16th

We need everyone’s help!Information to sign up will be e-mailed to you.

Field Trips

• Tech Museum

• Science Camp

• Must be finger-printed and have a current TB test on file in the office.

• “Donations”, if we do not receive enough donations, the trip will be cancelled.

Miscellaneous

• Birthday Celebrations - no food

• Facebook Separation of personal and professional activities

• Donations Ultra-fine sharpies Electric Pencil Sharpeners Color Sharpies White address labels Colored Post-It Notes

P.T.A. and B.H.E.F.

• Please Support the P.T.A. and B.H.E.F!

• I am so grateful for the opportunities these organizations provide for my students!

Thank You for Coming Tonight!