FIFTH GRADE HANDBOOK
Rosemount Elementary School
Welcome to fifth grade! We look forward to an excellent year of learning!
Here is the information you will need to help make this an outstanding year.
If you need to talk with your child’s teacher, it is best to call the school
between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. or after the students leave at 3:45 P.M. Please
remember that messages that require a same day response should be handled
by calling the school office at 651-423-7690 and leave your message with a
school secretary. The voice mail system phone number is 651-683-6969.
Ashley Cance
Sue Erickson
Angela Sterry
Jenny Sewpersaud
Debbie Taylor
#92161
#94239
#92164
#94611
#92130
ashley.cance@district196.org
sue.erickson@district196.org
angela.sterry@district196.org
jenny.sewpersaud@district196.org
deborah.taylor@district196.org
Homework: Most nights your child will have some homework. We know
families are busy with evening activities and we feel family time and after
school activities are very important. We will typically keep homework to 50
minutes or less a night. We encourage nightly reading (25 minutes per night is
ideal) and that is part of the 50 minutes. Assignments will be recorded in the
planner. Please contact your child's teacher if it seems that there is more
than 50 minutes of homework every night consistently.
Planner: To help students develop good organizational skills, each student in
fifth grade uses a planner. The PTO purchased planners for our students this
year. It will be the student's responsibility to write down their assignments
every day. Our goal is to prepare your child for middle school where they will
be responsible for recording assignments after each class. Please sign the
planner each night. This is also an excellent communication tool. Feel free to
write a note in the planner if you need to communicate with your child’s
teacher. Planners are checked daily by the teacher.
Bus/Walk: If you plan to ride a different bus or walk to a friend's home
after school, you MUST bring a note and have it signed in the office. If you
do not have a signed note, you will be expected to go home as usual.
Patrols: Being a patrol is a fun, rewarding, and an honorable position that
comes with much responsibility. Please remember the following:
•Patrols should report to their position on time each morning. Do
not come to the building too early. You need only five minutes to get
your patrol equipment.
•Please leave school bags, etc. in the patrol closet. Do not go to
classroom areas until after your patrol duty in the morning.
•If any problems arise, please report them to Ms. Engebretson
before coming to your homeroom.
Testing: The following assessments are given in 5th grade:
•Benchmark Reading Assessments- 4 times a year
•MAP Test (Measures Academic Progress)-September: MATH
•CogAT (Cognitive Aptitude Test)- December
•MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment)- March/April:
READING, MATH, and SCIENCE More information will be available, as
the tests get closer.
Discipline: We follow District 196’s Discipline Policy as stated in the
Students’ Rights and Responsibilities booklet that was mailed to your home.
We are also continuing with PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Systems)
school wide, which is known to students as “The Irish Way”.
Holiday Parties: In 5th grade we do not have holiday parties. We will have a
Valentine exchange in February. We do not collect money for parties.
Birthdays: We do not celebrate birthdays with treats per district policy.
Your child will be recognized school wide and in their classroom on their
birthday.
Friday Folders: Friday Folders will be sent home each Friday (or the last day
of the school week.) They are meant to serve as a parent communication tool.
We ask that you look for the folder on Friday and read the enclosed
information. Please return the folder to school on Monday.
OUR DAILY SCHEDULE
9:10 - 9:25 Arrive and morning work
9:25 - 9:35 Morning Meeting
9:35 - 10:25 Specialists (P.E., Music, Art, Media)
10:25-11:55 Reader’s Workshop
11:55-12:45 Recess/Lunch
12:45-1:55 Writer’s Workshop
1:55- 2:55 Math
2:55-3:10 Number Corner
3:10-3:35 Guided Math Practice
3:35-3:45 Pack Up and Dismissal
Fifth Grade Curriculum
LITERACY (Reader’s Workshop, Writer’s Workshop and Word Study)
District 196 continues to partner with Lesley University in Boston to begin a
long-term job embedded professional learning opportunity for all elementary
classrooms. The Literacy Collaborative model is built on a constructivist
learning theory (learners construct meaning together). It is a data driven
approach to learning and teaching, for all age levels. In this model, students
learn to be managed independent learners while researching in genre led
inquiry web units. These units provide an opportunity for learners to discover
how the structure of text impacts the decisions writers make. The inquiry
web units also integrate science, social studies and health content while
leading by genre.
Students analyze and critique the craft of multiple authors, illustrators and
researchers over the course of the year. As students write within each
genre of study, they too make decisions as writers, taking on the craft of
some of the authors, illustrators, & researchers they have studied. Students
share their learning daily with their classroom community. Sharing comes in
many forms including: sharing their research/discoveries, reading a piece of
writing, reader’s theater, reading a passage/book to the class, teaching a
concept to the class that was learned during guided practice – individually or
as a small group, etc.
Spelling is part of a systematic word study program that integrates both high
frequency words and phonetic “spelling”. Students take on the word study
continuum, which begins with initial and final sounds and goes all the way
through syllabication and Greek and Latin roots. Students are learning how
words work. The Literacy Collaborative model provides individualized
instruction based on data driven decision-making. The focus is building on
what the child knows and extending with what the child needs. It’s an
exciting opportunity for students and teachers to go deeper with their
learning while sharing their thinking with their classroom community.
Handwriting: Students were first introduced to cursive writing in 3rd grade.
In 4th grade they practiced their cursive writing skills. In 5th grade we
integrate cursive writing throughout the day. We expect students to write
their first and last name on their papers in cursive. Teachers will be writing in
both cursive and manuscript so students can practice reading cursive.
Students can choose if they want to write their daily work in cursive or
manuscript.
MATH
The curriculum we use is titled, Bridges to Mathematics. In addition to
emphasis on skill development, the math program emphasizes the development
of student's critical-thinking, creative-thinking, and decision-making abilities.
Strategies to teach problem solving, estimation, reasoning, and mental math
are designed to simulate real-life mathematical experiences.
Overview of Grade 5 Bridges Math
Unit 1- Connecting Mathematical Topics
•
Basic multiplication facts
•
Order of Operations
•
Prime Factorization and Factors
•
Commutative, Associative, and Distributive Properties
Unit 2- Multi-Digit Multiplication and Division
•
Multiply a 2 digit number by a 3 digit number
•
Estimate and Find Quotients
•
Understand Remainders
Unit 3- Geometry and Measurement
•
Use Area, Volume, and Surface Area Formulas
•
Describe and Classify 3-D Shapes
Unit 4- Multiplication, Division, and Fractions
•
Divide Multi-Digit numbers
•
Add and Subtract Fractions
Unit 5- Data Analysis
•
Find Mean, Mode, Median, and Range of Data Set
•
Create and analyze multiple types of graphs
Unit 6- Fractions, Decimals, and Percents
•
Read and Write Decimals
•
Add and Subtract Decimals
•
Change Fractions to Decimals
•
Equivalent Fractions, Decimals, Mixed Numbers, and
Improper Fractions
•
Order and Locate Fractions, Decimals, and Mixed Number
•
Solve Real World Problems with Fractions, Decimals, and
Mixed Numbers
Unit 7- Algebraic Thinking
•
Order of Operations
•
Graphing Ordered Pairs
•
Equations and Inequalities
•
Create Rules to Describe Patterns
PROBABILITY
•
Determine Sample Space and Probability of an Event
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES/HEALTH
All of our units are integrated into Literacy so we are able to study the
content at a deeper level. In Science we will be studying three different
areas of Science: Life, Earth and Physical. We use a Science Notebook to
record our observations during science units. We also use the inquiry process
to set up scientific experiments.
Ecology: Investigating Ecosystems (Life Science)
Students will set up terrariums and aquariums. They will join the two and then
add pollution. Students will learn how ecosystems affect each other and how
humans impact ecosystems.
Geography and Environmental Science: Human Impact on Earth (Earth
Science)
Students will study Geology, which is the study of our planet's earth
materials and natural resources. Students study changes to rocks and
landforms at the Earth's surface. They also study how humans impact the
earth.
Force, Motion and Models and Simple Machines (Physical Science)
Students investigate distance, speed, velocity, acceleration, pushes, pulls,
impacts and falls. Students will also study simple machines. They will identify
the simple machines that make complex machines.
Social Studies (U.S. History)
We will be studying United States History from 1300-1800. Some of the
areas that the students will explore are the first encounter Europeans had
with Native Americans, Pilgrims, Colonists, Slavery, French and Indian War,
American Revolution, and people who were important during this time period.
They will be asked to view history from multiple perspectives. Students will
create a Wax Museum at the end of this unit
Social Studies (Citizenship and Geography)
Each of these topics are easily integrated into all of our Units of Study
throughout the year.
Social Studies (Economics)
We will be going to J.A. Biztown in Maplewood, MN on Monday, January 25,
2016. Each student will become a BizTown citizen and assume a job in one of
the town businesses. Students will experience economics first- hand by
producing and/or selling products, receiving a paycheck, working as a member
of a business team, repaying a business loan, shopping, and managing a
personal bank account.
We need several volunteers to make this day successful. We would like at
least 30 volunteers. We will have more information and sign ups at the
November conferences.
Health
We create a positive and safe environment in our classrooms. We cover
bullying and bus safety. In the spring we will also cover Human Growth and
Development. Information with the dates will be sent home in the spring.
We look forward to an exciting year in 5th grade. Please feel free to contact
your child's teacher if you have any questions.
Mrs. Cance
Mrs. Erickson
Mrs. Sewpersaud
Mrs. Sterry
Mrs. Taylor