Fifth Grade Curriculum Night
Irwin Academic Center
September 25, 2014
Meet your Fifth Grade Team:
Mrs. Majercsik
Mr. Barber
Ms. Courtright
Mrs. Crumpler
Mrs. Chun
TonighT’s AgendA:
1) Introductions
2) Themes – Teamwork, Rigor & 21st century skills
3) Sample Schedule
4) Curriculum
5) Homework
6) Assessments
7) Projects
8) Helping your child
9) Camp Kanuga
10) Contacting Us
11) Questions
12) Your Homework
Higher Level Thinking Skills (and Rigor)
addressed this year:
The bulk of our time (and efforts)
this year will be spent here –
getting the kids to analyze &
evaluate information and from
these analyses and evaluations
create meaningful products.
TD certified children
typically have a vast array
of knowledge and thorough
understanding of many
concepts
Question Matrix
Event
Situation
Choice
Person
Reason
Means
Which is?
Who is?
Why is?
How is?
Present
What is? Where /
When is?
Past
What
did?
Where /
When
did?
Which
did?
Who did?
Why did?
How did?
Possibility
What
can?
Where /
When
can?
Which
can?
Who can? Why can?
How can?
Probability
What
would?
Where /
When
would?
Which
would?
Who
would?
Why
would?
How
would?
Prediction
What
will?
Where /
When
will?
Which
will?
Who will?
Why will?
How will?
Where /
When
might?
Which
might?
Who
might?
Why
might?
How
might?
What
Imagination
might?
Source: Wiederhold (1995)
Sample Schedule 2014-2015:
Friday
8:45 – 9:15
Arrival & Morning Work
9:15 – 9:30
Announcements
9:30 – 10:30
Literacy (Reading) &
Social Studies (Integrated)
10:30 – 11:05
Writing
11:05 – 11:50
Specials
11:50 – 12:45
Workshop
12:45 – 1:15
Lunch
1:15 – 2:45
Math
2:45 – 3:30
Science
3:30 – 4:00
Recess
Total (Daily) Minutes Allocated:
-- Language Arts (Reading & Writing) –120 + (workshop)
-- Math – 90 + (workshop)
-- Science – 45
-- Social Studies – at least 90 minutes per week
Reading and Social Studies (and
sometimes Writing) are integrated
such that students learn about
history through novels and nonfiction.
Workshop time is used to reinforce
Math and/or Reading skills in a
small group or individualized setting
Science is taught
every day through
experiments and
hands-on activities
Curriculum we’ll be using this year:
Literacy
Balance Literacy, Novel Studies (3-4 days/week); Imagine IT
(used to supplement/integrate SS & Science); Jr. Great
Books (higher level thinking); Wordly Wise & Caesar’s
English (Vocab. Building); Reading A-Z; Book Clubs
Math
Investigations & Scott Foresman supplemented with
problem solving and Math Olympiad and Math Detective
curriculum for those students who enjoy challenges in math
Science
Hands-on; lots of experiments to teach/ reinforce concepts.
Science A-Z; StudyJams, BrainPop & Discovery Education
Social Studies
Integration of
Curriculum
Social Studies Alive! ; Flocabulary;
Discovery Education ; Realistic
Fiction novel integration
Curriculum will NOT be taught in
“isolation”; science experiments will
include mathematical measurements;
students will read AND write about
topics related to Social Studies
content; art, music, drama will be
incorporated into instruction
Major Concepts & Topics we’ll be covering this year:
Literacy
Science
Math
Social Studies
Theme
Plot (Characters, Setting, Conflict)
Character Traits
Mood & Tone
Figurative
Weather & Matter
Ecosystems & Plant/Animal Interdependence
Forces & Motion
Genetics & Evolution
The Human Body (ALWAYS A FIFTH GRADE FAVORITE!)
Place Value (to the millions and thousandths) & Number Sense
FRACTIONS! (+, -, X, /) FRACTIONS! And more FRACTIONS!
Decimals (All Operations)
Measurement
Geometry
Native Americans
Early Explorers
U.S. History
(American Revolution, Declaration of
Independence, Constitution & Bill of
Rights, Civil Rights, Modern day)
Homework:
Math: Monday - Thursday
Math Homework mirrors skills being taught in class
Is essential to reinforce skills being discussed in class
Immediate feedback is a must for ensuring your child grasps math skills
(particularly since math builds upon itself)
Every night – Monday through Thursday
Reading: Monday – Thursday night + “pick one”: (Fr, Sa, Su)
Please be sure you are signing your child’s record of reading
Word Work:
Students will have weekly word work assignments
Reading Response:
Monthly students will complete a response to their
independent novels. These reports will focus on the Reader’s
Workshop Unit we are teaching in class.
Assessments:
Weekly:
• Math
• Vocabulary (will count as a language arts grade)
Semi-regular basis (at least once every two weeks):
• Science quizzes & tests
• Social studies quizzes & tests
• Reading
Projects:
Expect one project per month (every 4-6 weeks)
• Projects will be used to reinforce key content and
skills in a fun and meaningful way
• Teachers may be on different timelines for
their projects
•
Ways you can help your child:
Get Involved:
-- Volunteer in the classroom or at school*
-- Actively participate in the PTA or other Irwin Organizations
(e.g. “Men of Irwin”)
-- Attend school functions, take part in parent-teacher conferences
and/or have lunch with your child
Check your child’s teacher’s website for important updates
Check over your child’s math homework each night
-- Have your child correct any mistakes
Make regular trips to the library or bookstore
Encourage your child to question, wonder & ponder!
* Be sure to check with your child’s teacher to determine the best time(s) and way (s) to help out
Camp Kanuga:
Dates:
• March 25-27, 2015 (please “save” the dates)
Cost:
•
Expected to be ~$225-250 per child, ~$175-200
per chaperone. We will need as many
chaperones as possible (if your schedule
permits)
Camp Information:
http://www.kanuga.org/camps-and-outdoor-education/mountain-trail-outdoor-school
Contacting Us:
E-mail:
Dan.Barber@cms.k12.nc.us
Shemika.Chun@cms.k12.nc.us
Laurak.Courtright@cms.k12.nc.us
Masean.Crumpler@cms.k12.nc.us
Karen1.Majercsik@cms.k12.nc.us
(We can’t guarantee we’ll be able to check it
during the day, but will do our best to respond to
pressing concerns within 24 hours – either by email or phone).
Homework help -- available to your kids:
-- Through e-mail (from you OR your child)
-- Individualized help the next day in class (have your child
inform us they struggled with their homework).
If your child is having a very difficult time with their homework,
please have them contact us or ask (via e-mail or in class)
Your Homework:
Go to Mr. Barber’s
website and complete
the curriculum night
feedback form.
If you complete
your homework, I
will give your child
a “no vocabulary
story” pass good
for one week.
(This may just put
you in the running
for Mom or Dad of
the year!)
Thank you for helping to get this
year off to a great start!
Dan, Laura, Masean,
Karen & Shemika