Welcome to Curriculum Night

Mrs. Niesen’s 5th Grade 2013 - 2014

Meet Mrs. Niesen

• 19 years teaching experience

• This will be my 17th year teaching 5th grade

• 9th year teaching here at Lagos

• Master’s Degree in Education from ASU West

• I am a Highly Qualified Teacher with a full SEI Endorsement.

• Prior to teaching, I worked for 14 years supervising and managing various bank branches for Citibank Arizona.

Curriculum Overview

MathematicsInvestigations in Number, Data and Space and Fosnot Math Units,*We combine different programs to encompass both the problem solving, hands-on application approach along with a traditional textbook, and practice resources.

Common Core Skills focused on:• Problem Solving Strategies –using more than one way to solve• Use reasoning skills to explain and support problem solving methods and

answers• Decimals – place value to thousandth place, fluency with whole numbers and decimal operations• Integers – positive and negative numbers• Probability, Statistics and Data Analysis• Multiplication / Division Strategies • Converting Decimals / Fractions / Percents• Patterns, Algebra and Functions• Order of Operations• 2D & 3D Shapes and Geometry• Measurement- Volume, Area & Perimeter- (Metric and Customary)• Dream Box- online Common Core math practice• Math “Power Half Hour”- skills grouping

Reading and Language Arts

Harcourt Trophies-Basal Reader

Question of the Day /Daily Language Practice Vocabulary, Grammar and Spelling Word Study- Roots, Prefixes, Suffixes Guided Comprehension – Narrative Elements

/Genres Story Elements- Point of View – Author’s Purpose Weekly Assessments Literacy Workstations

Additional Activities Reading “Power Half Hour”- skills grouping Read Aloud – Model Reading / Thinking Sustained Silent Reading Fluency Tutor: on-line reading for fluency program Reader’s Theater Reading Bingo Genre Book Reports Literature Book Studies On-line Time for Kids Magazine (Nonfiction Text)

Reading Bingo- Genre Book Reports • The Reading Bingo Genre Book Report program

requires students to read several different types of nonfiction and fiction genres each quarter.

• At the beginning of each quarter students will receive a new Reading Bingo contract and Genre Bingo Grid. Students and Parents sign and return the bottom part of the contract stating that they are aware of the requirements and due dates. Students need to complete 4 different genre book reports per quarter.

• Students should be able to complete a grade level appropriate book and genre book report form every two weeks. The book reports are based on identifying the story elements and should be filled in as they read. When they finish reading the book, then all they have to do is use the story elements to write a summary of what they read.

Realistic Fiction Book Report1st Quarter Reading Bingo Grid 1st Quarter Reading Bingo

Contract

Reading and Language Arts

Writing / Writer’s Workshop

Six-Trait Writing: Conventions – Sentence Fluency

Expository - 5 Paragraph Essays Summarize Reading - Fiction and Nonfiction Communication –Author Letters Persuasive Essays – Commercials Poetry Unit – figurative Language Handwriting Practice Typing Agent-on-line practice at home

Health

Nutrition /Food Pyramid

Being a Wise Consumer

Keeping Fit & Active Tobacco & AlcoholHuman Growth &

Development

Science

Human Body Earth and SpaceBiomesForce and MotionMatter and Energy

Social Studies Geography-Landforms US Government

(Constitution Day) Early Americans Explorers Colonies Revolutionary War JA Biztown -

Economy of Business

Technology• 6 classroom wireless laptops with another 4

to be added this year!

• Document Camera and projector

• Smart Board and Smart Notebook

• 2 Computer Labs

• Student Digital Portfolios

• Project Based Learning Research –Collaborating with Google Aps

• Dream Box Learning Math Program

• Typing Agent

Classroom Expectations & Procedures

Class ScheduleRecess / Lunch

11:50 – 12:30

Specials

Monday: ART 1:00-1:45

Tuesday: P.E. 1:00-1:45

Wednesday: Computer Lab 8:50-9:35 Thursday: Music 1:00-1:45

Friday: Library 1:00–1:45

Morning Snacks

• We encourage students to bring healthy snacks that are low in sugar and salt for our morning break.

• Examples of healthy snacks: fruit, fresh veggies, granola bars, string cheese

**Please do not provide Hot Cheetos for their snacks!!

Classroom Subject Folders

Colored Subject Folder for Note Taking

This year we are using 3 different colored

Spiral notebooks w/pockets. We will be using them to practice

taking organized notes, write examples and practice what we have learned in class.

– Reading (Red 5-subject spiral) – Math (Blue 5-subject spiral) – Science/Health/Soc. Studies (Green 3-subject spiral)

Rules/Expectations

Lagos School Rules to follow:

• Be Kind• Be Safe• Be Responsible (Do your

very best!)

Rules/Expectations

Classroom Rules

Rule #1- Follow directions/procedures quickly!Rule #2 – Raise your hand for

permission to speak.Rule #3 – Raise your hand for

permission to leave your seat.Rule #4 – Make SMART choices!Rule #5 – Make your dear teacher

HAPPY! Scoreboard:

Tally points for students when rules are being followed. Tally points to teacher if students need to be reminded of rules.

Rules/Expectations

Consequences for Disruptive

or Off-Task Behavior

– 1st Reminder-behavior card turned up for off-task or distracting behavior (classroom / hallways)

- 2nd Reminder behavior card changed to yellow Time-Out and/or Write Refocus Plan- Continually having missing /late /incomplete / assignments- Loss of recess / Fun Friday- Email /Call home / Comment on Weekly

Progress Report– Loss of Friday Fun/Recess– Changed to Red - Office Referral

Rules/Expectations

Classroom Rewards for Positive Behavior

– Class Reward Bingo– Team Points-Homework Passes– Class Points Celebration (Class goal =

pizza /popsicles)– Extra “Friday Fun” Recess – Principal’s Lunch

Homework Policy

Homework Assignments-should be written in student’s agenda daily and homework should be kept in the student’s special Homework Folder or Binder. Homework folder/binder and agenda should be taken home each night and brought back school each day.

Students receive a completion grade for homework, and points will be deducted for homework that is late, incomplete, or has too many errors. Students may be asked to correct and receive only partial credit.

If students finish any of their homework assignments in class, they still need to place them in their Homework folder/binder and take it home for parents to review.

Parents should ask to see their child’s homework folder and agenda every night, so they can quickly review that he homework assignments have been done correctly and directions have been properly followed.

Homework Policy

Homework Assignments (cont.) Homework is due the following school day. Students will remove

their homework assignments from their Homework folder/binder and place them in the “Homework Trays” located on the counter next to the cubbies.

All homework needs to be turned in by 7:55 a.m.

If students do not put their name on their papers, it will be considered late, because of the amount of time it takes to find out who it belongs to.

Excessive late/incomplete homework may require the student to be placed on a Homework Plan and parents will be required to sign-off each night.

Homework

Student References for Homework

References such as; Quarterly Reading Bingo Contracts and grids, Quarterly Spelling Contracts, and 4Square Vocab format sheet, should be kept in the student’s “Reference” section of their Homework Binders/folder.

***(Homework is posted daily on my school webpage along with a link to the spelling and vocabulary lists for the whole school year.)

Homework Assignments

Math: one - two practice pages daily (Fridays-

make-up/late/ work that needs to be corrected or redone) Spelling: Monday-Wednesday (

Spelling VAPEC / Choices / Sentences) Reading Bingo- Read 15 to 20 minutes at least 4

times per week. Complete 4 different genre book reports per quarter. (We are doing the 1st one together in class)

Grammar and Vocabulary – once or twice each week Additional homework / projects can be expected

occasionally along with social studies, science, or health review worksheets.

Please email or send a note if your child is unable to complete their homework assignments.

***(Homework is also posted daily on my school webpage)

Homework

Math Facts Practice Logs

Starting next week, students who have yet to master their basic multiplication and division facts (2-12), will have additional nightly math homework.

Students will bring home index cards and copies of basic facts to create their own set of flash cards. They will also have a Math Fact log to record how long they practiced and parents will need to sign off each night.

Students will be required to do this additional math practice until they are able to pass the “Weekly Basic Facts Timed Test”.

It is crucial for 5th graders to be proficient in knowing basic multiplication and division facts. Students who are not yet proficient will struggle as we move onto working with more

complex equations.

Lagos Friday Folders Progress Reports / Newsletters

• The Lagos Friday Folder will go home most Fridays and needs to be returned on the following Mondays. (Folders may not be sent home on short weeks or during conference times.

Inside the Friday Lagos Folder:• (Return to School Pocket)The weekly

newsletter/progress report will have assessments and tests attached. Review, sign and return in folder on Monday. (Do not remove any of the tests attached to the progress report. They go in the student’s school portfolios.)

• (Keep at Home Pocket) Graded class work, homework, newsletters, and flyers will on be placed in this pocket for parents/guardians to review and keep. (Take out-Do not leave in Friday Folder)

Classroom

Webpage

• Class Schedule

• Important Dates and Reminders

• Daily Homework and Due Dates

• Spelling and Vocabulary Lists

• Spelling Quarterly Contract and Choices

• Reading Bingo Book Report Forms

• Classroom and Homework Procedures

• Classroom pictures and videos

• Scholastic Book Orders

• Instructional Links (Work in Progress)

• http://www.kyrene.org/staff/tniesen/

• Genesis Grade Book (PW should have been emailed to parents so they can have access to grades on-line)

Upcoming Field Trips / ProjectsPossible Field Trips:

• Halle Heart Center (Fall)

• Akimel A-al Middle School Visit (Spring)

• Biztown (late Spring)

Possible Projects:

• Mr. Bones Poster

• Animated Explorer Reports (K12Share)

• Biome Projects

• 3-D Landforms

• Project-Based Learning –Google Aps

• Wax Museum Poster / Exhibit

Parent Volunteers• Thank you parents who returned the volunteer

sign-up form. We are still working out the logistics with our Reading and Math “Power Half Hours” I will be contacting those parents who would like to help out with small groups hopefully by September.

If you are available and interested in helping out and didn’t return the volunteer sign-up form, just send me an email.

Contact Information• Please feel free to contact me with any questions

or concerns. I look forward to a great year with your children!

• I have created a new Parent Distribution list and will be forwarding school notices and newsletters to you electronically, unless you request a hard copy.

• tniesen@kyrene.org • Voice mail 480-541-3328• School office 480-541-3200