Welcome to Rice Elementary
5th Grade
Science and Social Studies
© 2009 Catherine Albright
Mrs. Albright
Fifth Grade
Science and Social Studies
I can be reached at the following
numbers/email:
Rice Elementary School - (570) 868-3161
Cell Phone - (570) 262-2613
Email - katie.albright@csdcomets.org
Introduction
Hello, my name is Mrs. Albright and I will be teaching your child in
Science and Social Studies this year. I am looking forward to a wonderful
year! I have many exciting things planned for both the Science and Social
Studies curriculums this year.
This is my fourth year in a permanent position at Rice Elementary. I
substituted for two years for Crestwood School District. I am a graduate of
Penn State University. I also worked in daycares for seven years.
I will be on maternity leave until the end of November. Mrs. Gegaris
will be in for me until then. If you have any questions or concerns
regarding your child, please address them to her until that time.
I want to encourage parents/guardians to get involved in their child's
learning experience. I will be sending home more information about how
you can become more involved throughout the year. I am also available
by phone or email if you have any questions.
Science Curriculum
The Science Curriculum follows the State Standards. Much of
the focus of the science curriculum for fifth grade is on the
Scientific Method. Four years ago, Rice Elementary adopted
the “Science: It’s Elementary” program into the science
curriculum. This program consists of “kits” that contain all the
necessary materials to teach science as inquiry. The main focus
of the science curriculum is to teach students science by doing
science.
Social Studies Curriculum
The Social Studies curriculum focuses on early American History. We
will begin with Native Americans where the students will study a
particular group or tribe of Native Americans and then they will work
with a group to create a presentation to teach that group/tribe to the class.
We will have a short unit on Explorers. Then we will move on to early
settlements like Jamestown and Plymouth. We will finish out the year
with Colonial America and the American Revolution.
Classroom Rules
I have the students decide upon the classroom rules themselves. I inform
them that they are in Fifth Grade now and they are old enough to decide
what kind of behavior they should have in class.
I write the students' suggestions for rules on the board and have them copy
them into their notebooks on the first page. I have them sign at the bottom
as a sort of contract that they will adhere to the rules.
They have the opportunity to earn tickets for good behavior. If they are
unable to follow the directions, they will have Lonely Lunch. The next step
if the behavior does not improve is for them to fill out a form that they must
have signed by a parent/guardian. The third consequence is a phone call
home that they have to make while supervised by myself. The final
consequence is a meeting with Mr. Seyer.
Discipline Forms
Behavior Plan
The students will have many opportunities to earn tickets for good behavior, homework
completed, etc. I will inform the students of all the things they can earn tickets for as
needed. I have told them that I may sometimes pick a student and watch them to see if
they are paying attention. If so, they may earn a ticket.
Whenever a student earns a ticket, they will write their name and section number on the
back of it and stick it in the box that has their section number on it. At the end of each
week, I will draw one name from a box per class. The first time a student wins, they
will pick something from the Prize Box. Any time they win after that, the student will
be able to pick one item from the reward list that they copied in their Science
notebooks. These rewards include things like “extra recess" and "have lunch with a
Fifth grade teacher." The students decided upon the rewards themselves.
Every Monday will start a new week of tickets. Every student has an opportunity to
win. The students that have more tickets have more chances to win. It's all the luck of
the draw!
Homework
In regards to homework, I will try to make an effort to assign as little
homework as needed. Occasionally the students will have homework
when it is necessary.
When I do assign homework, I will often give the students some time
in class to work on it. If they don’t finish the assignment in class, then
it is their responsibility to complete it at home.
The students will have the opportunity to earn tickets for bringing in
their homework the next day after it was assigned.
Group Work
Many of the activities the students complete will require them to work
with a group. Occasionally they will earn a grade as a group effort. It is
my goal to have the students learn how to work with other personalities
in order to prepare them for future endeavors. If there are students that
are unable to get along, I try to have them work it out themselves first. If
it seems that it is a major situation, I will intervene.
The students will also have the opportunity at times to present their
group work through a presentation. I’m not concerned about the
students being the best of speakers. I just want them to have the
opportunity to learn how to speak in front of people.
Important Websites
The following link will connect you
to Rice Elementary’s Website. On
this website you can view the
school’s Calendar, Lunch Menu,
Student Handbook, Classes, and
many more interesting pages.
http://csdcomets.org/schools.cfm?subpag
e=423786
The following link is a direct link to
my webpage. This page will provide
you with information for my classes.
I will also post messages on Skyward.
http://albright5science.wikispaces.co
m/
Science Websites
Amusement Park Physics
Explores how the laws of physics play a role in the design of amusement park
rides. Design a roller coaster, determine the outcome of bumper car collisions, and
more.
Ask Dr. Universe
How do chameleons change color? When was the light bulb invented? Why can't
cats and dogs be friends? Want to know the answers to these and hundreds of other
questions? Then just ask Dr. Universe, the world's most curious cat!
Beyond 2000
What will the next thousand years hold in store for us? See what futurists are
predicting and give predictions of your own.
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Learn about Bill Nye the Science Guy and his show, choose from 40 'Home Demos'
you can try, watch video clips, and more.
Dr. Bob's Interesting Science Stuff
Investigate interesting (hence the name) and unusual scientific topics. Includes 'Ask
Dr. Bob' and 'Did You Know' sections.
Social Studies Websites
The Library of Congress
Historic articles, documents, photographs, movies, maps and sound recordings. A
great source for a look at America's history.
HyperHistory Online
People, history, events, and maps are presented through an easy-to-use graphical
time-line. This excellent site contains over 1,600 files covering 3,000 years of
world history.
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/
Social Studies for Kids is a site with articles, subjects, and tons of links for all
areas of Social Studies.
Time For Kids
A great site for reading the news and what is going on in the world. Kids even do
the reporting.
Story Place
A digital library in English and/or Spanish. This interactive website is for
preschool, elementary and older.
Parent Websites
Abcteach
Find over 5,000 pages and worksheets you can print for your child. Subject
matter ranges from grammar, handwriting and flashcards, to crossword and
number puzzles. (plus a whole lot more!)
FamilyCorner.com
Topics include parenting, home schooling, food, family, kids, health...
everything a family needs!
Parenting.com
Search thousands of articles from Parenting and other magazines. Offers
advice from the experts, activity and craft ideas, health issues, baby name
ideas, and much more.
ParentsPlace.com
Huge resource which covers pregnancy, parenting, children's health issues,
marriage, recipes, activities and more.
PediatricNeurology.Com
Offers information to parents of children with Attention Deficit, Autism,
Learning, and other disorders and health concerns. Includes the ADHD eBook, which gives parents a detailed understanding of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder. The book summarizes treatment advice and also
includes chapters for teachers and kids.
Sites for Parents
Sites For Parents ranks Websites by popularity with parents.
Let’s Have a
Great Year!