Welcome to Curriculum Night

Mrs. Niesen’s 5th Grade 2015 - 2016

Meet Mrs. Niesen

• 21 years teaching experience

• This will be my 19th year teaching 5th grade

• 11th 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

Mathematics

Recently adopted the Engage NY Common Core Math Curriculum to go along with the Investigations in Number, Data and Space and Curriculum

Common Core Skills:

• Interactive Math Composition Notebooks (Common Core Standard, Notes, Vocab, and examples)

• Problem Solving Strategies –using more than one way to solve a problem• Prove / Support your answer- 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, Multiplying & Dividing by Powers of 10• Probability, Statistics and Data Analysis• Multiplication / Division Strategies • Using Order of Operations / Solving Expressions• Converting Decimals / Fractions / Percents• Patterns, Algebra and Functions• 2D & 3D Shapes and Geometry• Measurement- Volume, Area & Perimeter- (Metric and Customary)• Dream Box- online Common Core math practice for additional home

practice• Math IFG “Instructional Focus Groups”- 30 minute skills grouping

Reading and Language Arts

Common Core Language Arts

ELA Interactive Notebooks Organized by Common Core Standards (Notes, definitions and examples)

Vocabulary, Grammar and Spelling Word Study- Greek & Latin Roots, Prefixes, Suffixes Academic Vocabulary Guided Comprehension – Narrative Elements /Genres Text Structures -Identifying different types used Quote correctly from a text and draw inferences Story Elements- Point of View – Author’s Purpose Weekly Exit tickets / Assessments Literacy Workstations / Task Cards

Common Core Reading Guided Reading -Literature Book Studies Reading “IFG”- 30 minute skills grouping Read Aloud – Model Reading / Thinking Time for Kids Magazine (Nonfiction Text) Read Natural Live: on-line reading for fluency program Reader’s Theater for Fluency Practice Assigned Reading Passages for Fluency Practice at

home

Reading and Language Arts

Writing / Writer’s Workshop

Six-Trait Writing: Conventions – Sentence Fluency

Expository - 5 Paragraph Essays Summarize main idea and supporting details Identifying Text Structure- Fiction and Nonfiction Communication –Author Letters Persuasive Essays – Commercials Poetry Unit – figurative Language

Typing Agent-on-line practice at home

SPEAKING AND LISTENING

• Read or study material beforehand and bring that information to a discussion with others

• Follow discussion rules and perform any assigned group roles

• Ask and answer questions to build on conversations in a group discussion

• Clearly present a report, story, or opinion using facts and details to support the main idea

• Use multimedia in presentations

Health

Nutrition /Food PyramidTobacco & AlcoholHuman Growth &

Development

Science

(Starting in September, students will be going to Ms. Bailey for Soc. Studies and staying with me for Science for each

grading period)

Matter and Energy Human Body Earth and SpaceBiomesForces and Simple

Machines

Social Studies(Starting in September, students will be going to Ms. Bailey for Soc. Studies and staying with me for Science for each

grading period)

Geography-Oceans & Continents and Landforms

US Government (Constitution Day)

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

of Business

Technology• Changed out the older wireless laptops for 7

new Think Pad Tablets to go along with the other 3 newer laptops

• 10 IPads connected to Apple TV

• Smart Board and Smart Notebook

• 2 Computer Labs

• Project Based Learning Research –Collaborating with Google Aps (Home and School)

• Dream Box Learning Math Program: Common Core on-line math practice at home

• Typing Agent-practice typing skills at home

Classroom Expectations & Procedures

Class Schedule

Recess / Lunch

11:50 – 12:30

Specials

Monday: ART 8:00-8:45

Tuesday: Library 8:00-8:45

Wednesday: PE 8:00-8:45 Thursday: Music 8:00-8:45

Friday: Computer Lab 8:00-8:45

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

• We really appreciate the donation of snacks for the classroom too!

**Please do not provide Hot Cheetos for their snacks!! They are very messy and not healthy.

Classroom Spiral / Subject Folders

Colored Spiral and Subject Folders for Note Taking

Red Spiral 5-Subject notebooks w/pockets.

It will be used to for Word Study and Grammar in the classroom

Subject Folders:– Literature Studies (Red) – Social Studies (Blue) – Science/Health (Green)– Homework Folder to go with 3-ringed

binder if needed

Rules / Behavior Expectations

Lagos School Rules

• In the classrooms here at Lagos Elementary, we follow the “3 Be’s”:

• Be Safe: Keeping hands, feet, objects to self• Be Respectful: Respecting all students and adults • Be Responsible: Having homework and classwork

turned in on time, being prepared in class, staying on task, following directions

**Students can receive “Mustangs” from any teacher/aide or principal for showing outstanding behavior outside the classroom. Mustangs are entered into a weekly drawing and the yellow copy will be attached to Friday Mustang Progress Reports.

Rules / Behavior 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. *Earn Rewards/Treats for Class

Rules / Behavior Expectations

“Clip-Up/Clip-Down” Visual Behavior Chart – used for visual

positive/negative behavior reminders

– (Resets back to green each day)

Rewards for “Clip-Ups” Positive Behavior could include: – Mustang Tickets are

earned if a “Bullseye” is reached in a day

– Conduct/behavior scores on Weekly Progress Reports will soar too!

Rules/Expectations

“Clip-Up/Clip-Down” Visual Behavior Chart

Clip Down Consequences may include: • Missing a recess• Sitting out of an activity in the classroom• Loss of privileges• Timeout in another teacher’s room/office• Clip down to RED will result in email

or call home. • Conduct/behavior scores on Weekly

Progress Reports will drop if they continuously have to clip down

Rules / Behavior Expectations

– Electronic tracking of specific positive/negative behavior (Reset each week)

– Class Dojo letter was sent home the first week with a passcode for Parents to sign up so they can view at home

Other Possible Rewards: – Table Team Points-Homework Passes– Class Talley Points Celebration (Class goal

= pizza /popsicles)

Homework Procedures

3-Ringed Binders Organized by Subjects

• Every student should now have an organized 3-ringed binder. We spent time in class organizing the binders and dividers were use to keep the Class Schedule, Homework Logs, and Reference Materials organized by subjects for easy access.

• Homework Assignments-should be written on the student’s Weekly Homework Checklist log. The log should be kept in the front section of their 3-ringed binder.

• Daily homework should be kept in a the front pocket or a Homework Folder that is kept inside their 3-ringed Binder. Even if they finish their homework in class, they cannot turn it in early.

• It should be kept in the binder and is to be turned in the Homework Trays by 7:50am the next morning.

Homework Procedures

3-Ringed Binders Organized by Subjects

References

• You should be able to find the following types of References in your student’s 3-ringed binder: Quarterly Spelling Contracts, Graphic Organizers, Subject Vocabulary / Examples.

• Daily homework should be kept in a the front pocket or a Homework Folder that is kept inside their 3-ringed Binder. Even if they finish their homework in class, they cannot turn it in early. It should be kept in the binder and is to be turned in the Homework Trays by 7:50am the next morning.

• The 3-ringed Binder Homework folder/binder should be taken home each night and brought back to school each day.

Homework Procedures

Homework Assignments (cont.) Most homework assignments are due the following school day.

Due dates are given on longer projects/assignments.

Homework will not be accepted early/same day. If finished in class, students still keep it in the homework section of their 3-ringed binder. If you ask to see their homework, they should be able to show it to you even if they finished it early in the classroom.

The following school morning, students remove their homework assignments from their “Homework Pocket/folder” found in the front part of their binders and place the assignments in the subject “Homework Trays” located on the counter next to the cubbies.

All homework needs to be turned in by 7:50 a.m. in order to

be considered turned in on time.

Homework Procedures

Completion Grades for Homework/Classwork

Students will receive a completion grade for homework/classwork, and points may be deducted for homework/classwork that is late, incomplete, or has too many errors. Students may be asked to correct/redo assignments and then they may only receive only

partial credit.

Again 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 homework log each night. This way they can quickly review that he homework assignments have been done correctly and directions have been properly followed.

Homework Procedures

Missing Names /Numbers on Homework/Classwork

If students do not put their name/number on their papers, it will be considered late/ not following assignment procedures. This is because of the amount of time it takes to find out who it belongs to.

Missing/Late homework or incomplete classwork will be noted on the weekly Friday Progress Report. Phone calls/emails will also be used to help keep parents informed, especially if missing/late homework becomes more frequent.

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 will be posted daily on my school webpage. I will also send out emails to remind parents of important due dates on projects and attach samples/outlines when possible.

Examples of Weekly Homework Assignments

Math: one - two practice pages daily (Fridays-

make-up/late or work that needs to be corrected or redone)

Spelling: Monday-Wednesday (Spelling VAPEC / Choices / Sentences)

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 and I will work with them in class

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

Additional Homework Practice

Math Fluency Practice Logs Starting by the end of August/early September, students

who are not yet fluent with their basic multiplication and/or division facts (2-12), will have an additional 5-10 minute nightly math assignment.

Students can work to build their math fluency by using basic math flash cards, or by going to the website www.multiplication.com and

practice on-line. Students will need to record how their study methods on the Multiplication Study Log and parents will need to sign off each night.

Students will be required to do the additional math practice until they are able to pass the “Math Fluency 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 with decomposing numbers, working with fractions, and trying to solve more complex equations with larger numbers.

Lagos Friday Mustang Folders Progress Reports / Newsletters

• The Lagos Friday Mustang Folder will go home most Fridays and should be returned on the following Mondays. After Wednesday it is considered a late homework assignment. (Folders will 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)

WEEKLY STUDENT SELF REFLECTIONS

Students will reflect on their behavior at school for the week and complete a Student Self-Reflection

Purpose for Student Reflections: • Students are held accountable for their own actions• Students are always very honest!• I will agree/disagree, and make changes if necessary• The half-sheet reflection will be attached to the Weekly

Progress Reports starting next week• Parents sign the half-sheet that is attached to the Weekly

Progress Reports and return it along with the signed Weekly Progress Report the following Monday.

Classroom

Webpage

• Class Schedule

• Important Dates and Reminders

• Daily Homework and Due Dates

• Spelling and Vocabulary Lists

• Spelling Quarterly Contract and Choices

• Project Requirements/Rubrics

• Classroom and Homework Procedures

• Scholastic Book Orders

• Instructional Links (Work in Progress)

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

• Genesis Grade Book go to www.Kyrene.org click on parent information / parent vue

Upcoming Field Trips / ProjectsPossible Field Trips:

• Halle Heart Center (Fall)

• Akimel A-al Middle School Visit (Spring)

• Biztown (late Spring)

Possible Projects:

• 3-D Landforms

• Mr. Bones Poster

• Animated Explorer Reports (K12Share)

• Biome Projects

• Project-Based Learning –Google Aps

• “Meet Me in the Future” Poster / Exhibit during Spring Learning Fair

Parent Volunteers• Thank you parents who returned the volunteer

sign-up form. • I am looking for a parent who will help me

coordinated the classroom celebrations. • Field Trips- Requests will be sent out for parent

chaperone volunteers along with the Field trip permission slips

• We are still working out the logistics with our Reading and Math “Instructional Focus Groups”. I will be contacting those parents who would like to help out with small groups hopefully by September.

.

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