and my fifth year teaching 5 th grade at Alvin Dunn
Slide 7
I studied Art and earned my Bachelors Degree in Painting at San
Diego State University.
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I received my teaching credential from California State
University, San Marcos.
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I am a mural artist, and I occasionally still paint murals on
the side!
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Another favorite!
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I have a 10 th grade daughter who attends Mission Hills High
School. Her name is Erin Leigh.
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She plays lacrosse and field hockey.
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I have a brand new 12 week old son. His name is Finn Liam.
Finn, four days old
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He plays with Froggie.
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My husband, Mr. Watters, has his own pool cleaning business. It
is called Watters Clean Pool Service! Get it?
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My family has a puppy named Rango (like the movie). He just
turned one on August 1 st ! He wears a sheriff star as his name
badge, and he loves the beach.
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Rango, looking SMART! Erin Leigh and Rango Rango in the
classroom Rango at the beach Rango as a baby puppy Rango, looking
SMART! Rango as a baby puppy
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Now that you know a few things about me, lets get to know our
classmates a little better.
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Classmate Scavenger Hunt: Find someone who.
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First, and foremost, we will begin our journey towards becoming
an International Baccalaureate school.
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This is a new program for us, and I am still learning about it!
You will learn new things as I do. Each month, we will focus on
specific learner profiles, attitudes, and skills.
Slide 24
Each month, our focus learner profile, attitudes, and skills
will be posted in our room. I will also try to display books that
highlight the learner profile.
Slide 25
International Baccalaureate, otherwise known as IB, focuses on
real-world application of knowledge and.
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The 4 Cs
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Collaboration Communication Critical Thinking Creativity and
there may be a 5 th C: character!
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We will be building on fourth grade skills in math and language
arts. And lucky us 5 th grade science and history is very
interesting and exciting!
Slide 29
Part of the International Baccalaureate program is integrating
the curriculum, which means combining units of study and
incorporating subjects such as language arts and math into social
studies and science units.
Slide 30
Place Value and Rounding Factors Exponents Fractions :
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division Algebraic
Equations and Expressions Dividing Larger Numbers Decimals:
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division Percents The
Coordinate Grid Integers Lines and Angles Area and Perimeter
Surface Area and Volume Mathematical Reasoning and Word
Problems
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Reading Comprehension Skills: Main Idea, Text Features,
Inference, Fact/Opinion, Sequence, and Figurative Language (in
conjunction with Theme and Symbolism) Language Conventions:
Grammar, Capitalization, Punctuation, Spelling, Editing and
Revising, Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes Writing: Response to
Literature, Personal Narrative, Persuasive Essay, Research and
Reports
Slide 32
Social StudiesScience United States History Maps States and
Capitals Early Peoples Arrival Theories Colonization Uniting the
Colonies The American Revolution American Government The
Constitution Westward Movement Matter and the Periodic Table
Changes in Matter Cells and Organisms Body Systems: Circulatory,
Respiratory, Digestive The Water Cycle Weather The Solar
System
Slide 33
In order to create a safe and productive learning environment
for everyone, our school is beginning a new program called The
Dragon Way
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Do your best! Make good choices. Be respectful of your school.
All standard classroom rules and procedures are related to the
above three rules. Students are also expected to follow the School
Rules found in the green Student Handbook.
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You will learn more about this school-wide program in the next
few weeks! Im ready!
Slide 36
We will be using a behavior card system to keep track of how
our day is going.
Slide 37
Positive ConsequencesNegative Consequences Tickets for Student
Store Tickets for Activities/Rewards Team Points for Rewards
Principal Signatures Verbal Praise Notes/Phone Calls Home Behavior
Cards Yellowwarning Orangeloss of recess Rednote/call home *If
behavior continues beyond red, referral and/or parent
conference
Slide 38
Good behavior Helping without being asked Doing the right thing
Being a good friend to others in the class Volunteering answers
Participating in discussions Scoring high scores on classwork and
tests Following the rules Being ready on time Returning important
papers on time Working well with others Making good choices
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PrizesRewards Homework pass Extra recess time Rent the
classroom for lunch Change your seat for a week
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Lets find our partners! Look for an A or a B on your desk.
Slide 41
First, match up! Tell your partner one thing you can do to earn
tickets.
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Now, mix up! Tell your B partner one other thing you can do to
earn tickets.
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8:45 Morning Business (review schedule, announcements, CNN
Student News, current events quickwrite, check in homework) 9:05
Math: warm-up, problem of the day 9:25Math: direct instruction,
independent practice, centers, First in Math, reteach groups
10:25Reading Groups: comprehension skill practice 11:10 Recess
11:30 Social Studies/Science alternating units 12:10 PE, Technology
class, Spanish class, or Art class 12:50 Lunch 1:35English Language
Arts Block: comprehension skill direct instruction, roots and
affixes, grammar skills, writing 2:50Read aloud: historical
fiction/comprehension skill practice 3:10Dismissal
Slide 44
We will have P.E. every Tuesday and Friday and alternating
Wednesdays right before lunch. Please be sure to wear appropriate
clothing and footwear to participate in running and sports
activities on those days. We have some exciting new classes that
you will be attending on non-P.E. days! We will be going to art,
technology, and Spanish class!
Slide 45
We will also have an opportunity to visit the library once a
week on Tuesdays to check out new books. Books are due on Monday
afternoons. Wednesdays are Professional Learning Community (PLC)
meeting days for teachers, and the school day ends at 2:10. Friday
Flag Salute assemblies are held from 8:45 to approximately 9:15 to
recognize student achievements, and will be held 2 to 3 times per
month.
Slide 46
Every morning, we will watch to learn what is going on in the
world around us! There are usually four news stories each day, and
it lasts about ten minutes. During this time, I will be taking
attendance and checking in homework. Sometimes, you will be writing
about current events in your CNN Student News mini-books! Our
favorite anchor, Carl Azuz!
Slide 47
Lets watch the new school year kick-off of CNN Student
News!
Slide 48
A monthly calendar is posted on the Language Arts wall behind
the reading table. This calendar will highlight upcoming fun and
important events! The calendar will also display our current
reading skills, as well as the skill that is coming up next!
Slide 49
There are two main goals for all fifth grade students: to be
successful on the 5 th grade CST and to be prepared to enter middle
school. We also want to help our fifth graders become more
creative, critical- thinking collaborators who have excellent
communication skills!
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We will work together to achieve these goals! As your teacher,
it is my job to prepare you for your tests, expose you to new ways
of thinking and doing things, and teach you the fifth grade
curriculum. This will prepare you to be successful in middle school
next year!
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As students, your job is to be here each day, give your full
attention to lessons, and keep a positive attitude! Doing these
things will help you do your very best and learn as much as
possible! I am confident that if you do your job, you will be fully
prepared for sixth grade!
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Lets think about our own personal goals and objectives for this
school year..
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San Marcos Unified School District uses a numerical system for
elementary school grading. 1234 Below 59%60-74%75-89%90-100%
Student performs far below grade level Student performs below grade
level Student performs at grade level Student performs above grade
level
Slide 54
Grades will be determined from a combination of test scores,
quiz scores, class work grades, and project scores. Homework is an
effort grade, and is not factored into academic grades. We will
also do projects that will allow us to create portfolios of work
that will be graded using a rubric. Each student will be given a
copy of the rubric at the beginning of the project.
Slide 55
Students who earn a grade less than proficient on a math test
will participate in a re-teach group, and then be given an
opportunity to retake the test. So, if you score a 2 or a 1, you
will have a chance to work on the skills and then try again. Graded
tests and quizzes that score a 2 or below will require a parent
signature.
Slide 56
Progress reports are sent home mid- trimester so that you have
time to work hard and try to correct any problems before report
card time. Progress reports also give your parents (and me!) an
opportunity to assess your achievement and help you improve.
Slide 57
Nightly homework will be given Monday through Thursday.
Homework will not be given over the weekend with the exception of
an occasional special project. Homework is practice of what has
been taught that day in class. It is never new material.
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Homework will always consist of reading 30 minutes, Five Most
Difficult math problems or a page from the math homework book, and
other assignments that align with our lessons for the week.
Students will often be required to read assigned pages for their
reading group. It is very important to come to school prepared for
your group.
Slide 59
Homework grades are effort grades, and will show up under
Citizenship rather than subject area grades. However, homework is
VERY important. It is practice of key concepts taught in class and
helps reinforce the lessons. You will NEVER have this much homework
as a 5 th grader!
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If the homework is difficult for you, here is how you can
receive full credit: Show all of your work Write questions about it
directly on the page Give you best effort and make it clear that
you tried. If you do all of these things, your homework will
receive credit. It will also help me to know what skills you need
help with! NEVER just put a question mark! This will not count as
effort.
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I will be checking in your homework daily. Here is what I will
be looking for: Signed binder reminder (This tells me that your
parents acknowledge that you read for 30 minutes the night before.)
Every assignment completed (or showing enough effort to receive
credit!) Students who come to school without their homework are
unprepared for class and will immediately turn their card to yellow
as a warning. They may be required to make up the work at recess,
as well.
Slide 62
Lets get out our Binder Reminders and do a bookwalk. We will
also find todays date and write down our homework.
Slide 63
Our classroom is a very special place. During the week, most of
us will spend the majority of our waking hours right here in this
room! That includes me. For this reason, it is important to me to
keep our classroom looking cheerful, motivational, neat, and
organized.
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We all play a part in making our classroom a place we like to
be. I expect every person to do their best to keep the room neat
and organized. If we all work together on a daily basis, it will be
easy to maintain a clean and happy environment!
Slide 65
What you can do to keep your classroom in top shape: Keep your
desk clean, inside and out. This includes keeping the top of your
desk clear. Pick up trash when you see it. Keep your team desk
caddy neat and organized. Keep your team desks together neatly in
their group. Keep your attitude positive: this goes a LONG way
towards creating a happy environment!
Slide 66
You may not keep items on the floor without permission.
Backpacks remain outside on the hooks unless I ask you to bring
them inside due to heavy rain. You may not bring food into the
classroom. You may keep a water bottle on top of your desk, as long
you are not distracting others with it. However, you must bring it
home with you each night. You may not leave it on your desk; it
will be thrown away if you do.
Slide 67
Over the years, I have bought many books and added them to my
classroom library. Slowly, over time, I have built a library of
1,000 books!
Slide 68
Our library is carefully organized so that you can easily find
the books you want to read. Most of the books are labeled with
their AR level. Books in a series are kept together, as well as
books by the same author
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Side note: I love Dr. Seuss!
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In order to keep our library neat and organized so that
everyone can find the books they want to read, I have strict rules
about borrowing books:
Slide 71
You may only borrow one book at a time. You must put the
library card behind your name on the check-out chart. Please try to
check out books that will help you advance in your AR Goal. Do NOT
put any book back on the shelf. Turn books in to the book bin by
the check-out chart, and I will put them away. Leave the card
behind your name and I will put it back in the book. Please take
care of the books! I love to have a fantastic library for all of my
students to use, but I cant afford to replace books that are
damaged.
Slide 72
There will be two Teacher Assistants approximately every two
weeks that will help keep the classroom running smoothly and
maintain organization. Every student will have an opportunity to be
a Teacher Assistant for two weeks. Some students will have an
opportunity to do it twice! Teacher Assistants will have a little
bit of extra work to dobut they will be rewarded for a job well
done!
Slide 73
We will now appoint our first two Teacher Assistants! They will
begin their jobs right away!
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Neat, professional work is very important to me. A proper
heading on your paper gets you off to a good start, and helps me
keep your work organized. I expect every student to write a proper
heading on every single assignment done on lined paper.
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Lets take a look at the whiteboard for a demonstration of a
proper heading.
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Students who do not use a proper heading will lose points, be
required to begin again, or both! Make this your motto: DO IT RIGHT
THE FIRST TIME!
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Lets take a few minutes and write a proper heading on a piece
of lined paper. Put it aside.we will be using it in a little
bit!
Slide 78
Alvin Dunn is participating in the One-to-One Technology Grant,
which gives students access to technology while in school on a
one-to-one basis. We will be using ipads in the classroom to
improve and enrich our learning experience.
Slide 79
All students will be expected to be responsible and follow
school rules when using technology in the classroom, and will be
closely monitored. Students who use technology inappropriately will
face consequences, which include losing technology privileges. As a
class, we will be learning about proper use of computers and the
internet, and will focus on internet safety.
Slide 80
We will also be using PCs in the classroom. We have many school
programs for our PCs that are very beneficial to the students, such
as Accelerated Reader, First in Math, and Education City. We will
also use PCs for word processing and to learn how to create
PowerPoint presentations.
Slide 81
You may have noticed my college wall. Here at Alvin Dunn, we
want to create a college-bound culture, where the students think
about, talk about, and plan to attend college after high
school.
Slide 82
We will talk with you about many different kinds of college
opportunities, about careers you can aspire to, and about the PACE
Promise program, which unites San Marcos Unified School District
with California State University, San Marcos. This program is
helping many of our students pay for college!
Slide 83
You will be provided with the supplies that you need to be
successful in school. However, if you are interested in buying some
additional supplies, I recommend the following: 1 inch Binder (no
zippers, please) Wide-ruled Paper Pencil Box Extra Pencils
Dry-erase markers
Slide 84
Lets take a look at our supplies in and on our desks!
