Dear Central Woodlands & Team Achieve Families~
Welcome to a new and exciting year for your fifth grader! We are excited about being granted the privilege of teaching your child this year on Team Achieve!! Fifth grade is a very important year of learning, and we hope to give your child all the tools they will need to be successful, lifetime learners! Thanks for taking the time to read through this helpful information. Please keep this packet as a guide to reference throughout the year.
CURRICULUM
Mrs. Gillies teaches Language Arts, Science to all the students; while Mrs. Ten Eyck is responsible for Math and Social Studies. We both teach reading and also integrate writing into Science and Social Studies. We plan together weekly to coordinate our activities and special team projects.
Math
We will cover several topics from the common core state standards in math during the course of the year. This is the second year of the Everyday Math (EM4) version that is aligned to the common core. Math is the one subject that we usually will have homework in every day, Monday through Friday, although I try to go lighter on Fridays. Students are given class time to begin and receive help with homework. Homework in math should be independent practice. If your child struggles with the homework, please write a note in the planner. I do not expect you to re-teach your child at home. This program allows for some “productive struggle” in math, and there may be times when they are working on a skill that they are not supposed to have mastered quite yet.
IXL! We are lucky to have access to IXL this year. Your child can practice skills at home. The site is www.ixl.com/woodlands56. Your child will soon be logging on here at school and will know their usernames and passwords for this resource.
Science
Fifth grade has several engaging units with hands-on investigations and explorations. Our units include: The Scientific Method, Structure and Properties of Matter, Animal Systems, and the Solar System. We use materials from the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center and other resources. Typically, there is a unit test at the end of each unit.
Social Studies
The program we use is Social Studies Alive! America’s Past. The main topics of study will be the geography of the United States, the history of the American Indians, the exploration of the North American continent and the subsequent European colonization, our fight for our independence from Great Britain, and the system of government that was formed as a result. During the course of the year, we will do many activities to make the study of social studies “come alive.” Students will be able to access the textbook online at www.teachtci.com to study and prepare for tests.
Reading
We teach the standards in the form of focused mini-lessons, discussing, thinking, and writing about our own reading. Our goal is for all students to increase their reading level and enjoyment of reading. We will also be using the AR (Accelerated Reading) program. Please also see the attached detailed information about specific reading requirements.
Writing
Students will do a lot of writing this year in all areas. Our goal is for students to become fluent writers. We will also focus on writing many different writing genres. The fifth grade curriculum also includes language, mechanics, and grammar. As an extension of previously taught lessons, students will be asked to apply cursive writing at times throughout the year. Please note that much of our writing work will not come home, as it will be placed in a student portfolio that travels with them to future teachers. Also, much work is done in a writing journal that remains at school.
Word Study
We will use Word Journeys (Word Study) this year, which focuses on learning and applying the rules of spelling, not just memorizing words. Word Study is a spelling and phonics program developed at the University of Virginia. Through word sorts, comparing and contrasting words, students naturally improve their spelling skills. The program uses a developmental assessment to place students. Please read additional the handout, provided soon, for more specific information.
Encore Classes
Our time slot for P.E./Music is everyday from 10:45-11:30 am. Music occurs on odd calendar days. Our students participate in PE on even calendar days. Each class also will attend Spanish twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In addition, classes visit the Media Center weekly. We will have STEAM/Art once a week during the second semester only.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Fifth grade is a year that you will see your child make big gains in the area of responsibility and organization. Our management plan encourages good decision-making and helps to create an enthusiastic and positive learning environment where students feel safe, respected, and treated fairly. In order to achieve this, our classes are following 4 guidelines:
Homework
Homework will be assigned most nights. Students will be given time at school to begin and sometimes complete them. Homework Planners will come home daily and show what assignments were given. We complete planners together at the end of each day. Even if homework is finished in class, students are still required to write it down, so you know what the assignment is. As a backup, you can always get an update on important dates, assignments, tests, or project due dates by signing up to Remind to receive daily notices. Please sign the Planner nightly to let us know you are aware of assignments and your child has completed the required homework. As a general guide, you can expect no more than an hour of homework per night, including reading. If your child is consistently spending more time than this, please contact one of us, so we can evaluate this together. It is expected that each student will turn his or her homework in on the due date. If your child is absent, they will have the number of days absent to make up the work. Late work is due the next day. Consistently late work will warrant an email or phone call home.
Remind~ Electronic Homework Notification Option
If you are interested in receiving text message notifications of our daily homework, please sign up for Remind. You only need to send a text to 81010. The message must be @mrseten. If you have any questions, please ask one of the teachers.
OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION
Absences/Tardies:
When at all possible, please try to make all appointments (doctor, dentist, etc.) for after school hours. Please remember to sign your child in or out from the office when picking him/her up early or bringing him/her back to school. We will make every attempt to catch your child up academically after an absence; however, with appointments, mid-day illnesses, and missed days, it can be a challenge for us to keep the specifics of all of our students straight. It is helpful if your child takes responsibility for asking us what he/she missed upon returning, and if there is any work for him/her to make up. Beginning the day on time is essential for students. Please have your child to school to begin the day at 8:40 am.
*A note regarding extended absences*
Central Woodlands’ Policy: Families are encouraged not to take their child out of school for vacations. When a family vacation must be scheduled during the school year, please discuss the matter with your child’s teacher(s) to make necessary arrangements. It may be possible for the student to receive certain assignments that are to be completed during the trip. However, it is very difficult to replicate the type of thinking and interactions that occur in the classroom.
ID Cards
The student ID should be kept at school, as it is used at the Media Center and in the lunchroom. A replacement card costs $5.
Snacks
Students may bring a healthy snack to school, such as granola bars, fruit, crackers, cheese sticks, etc. We encourage a water bottle in class. Please avoid sending junk food, such as candy, cookies, etc.
Birthdays
Feel free to send a store bought treat to share with the class. If your child does plan to bring a treat, please try to email your child’s home block teacher ahead of time. (Mrs. Gillies- 27 students, Mrs. Ten Eyck- 28 students.)
COMMUNICATION
We feel very fortunate to work with your child this year and will do so in a compassionate manner, respecting each child as a unique and special person. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. It is our goal to respond within 24 hours.
E-mail
We check our email regularly and feel this is the quickest way to get a hold of us. We can be reached at the following addresses:
Noelle Gillies: [email protected]
Erika Ten Eyck: [email protected]
Website
You can view our team’s website at: http://gilliesteneyck.weebly.com.
The website will be updated daily with important information about upcoming events, field trips, and our curriculum.
Phone
We can be reached at school (493-8790) between 8:05 and 8:30 AM, 10:45-11:30 AM, or 3:45-4:00 PM.
Helpful Fifth Grade Hints
Many parents ask how they can best help their child effectively transition to fifth and sixth grade. As both teachers and parents, we suggest the following to help your child meet greater demands here at school:
We are looking forward to a terrific year. We know your child’s education is very important to you as well, and together we can make this a memorable year!
Sincerely,
Noelle Gillies and Erika Ten Eyck
Welcome to a new and exciting year for your fifth grader! We are excited about being granted the privilege of teaching your child this year on Team Achieve!! Fifth grade is a very important year of learning, and we hope to give your child all the tools they will need to be successful, lifetime learners! Thanks for taking the time to read through this helpful information. Please keep this packet as a guide to reference throughout the year.
CURRICULUM
Mrs. Gillies teaches Language Arts, Science to all the students; while Mrs. Ten Eyck is responsible for Math and Social Studies. We both teach reading and also integrate writing into Science and Social Studies. We plan together weekly to coordinate our activities and special team projects.
Math
We will cover several topics from the common core state standards in math during the course of the year. This is the second year of the Everyday Math (EM4) version that is aligned to the common core. Math is the one subject that we usually will have homework in every day, Monday through Friday, although I try to go lighter on Fridays. Students are given class time to begin and receive help with homework. Homework in math should be independent practice. If your child struggles with the homework, please write a note in the planner. I do not expect you to re-teach your child at home. This program allows for some “productive struggle” in math, and there may be times when they are working on a skill that they are not supposed to have mastered quite yet.
IXL! We are lucky to have access to IXL this year. Your child can practice skills at home. The site is www.ixl.com/woodlands56. Your child will soon be logging on here at school and will know their usernames and passwords for this resource.
Science
Fifth grade has several engaging units with hands-on investigations and explorations. Our units include: The Scientific Method, Structure and Properties of Matter, Animal Systems, and the Solar System. We use materials from the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center and other resources. Typically, there is a unit test at the end of each unit.
Social Studies
The program we use is Social Studies Alive! America’s Past. The main topics of study will be the geography of the United States, the history of the American Indians, the exploration of the North American continent and the subsequent European colonization, our fight for our independence from Great Britain, and the system of government that was formed as a result. During the course of the year, we will do many activities to make the study of social studies “come alive.” Students will be able to access the textbook online at www.teachtci.com to study and prepare for tests.
Reading
We teach the standards in the form of focused mini-lessons, discussing, thinking, and writing about our own reading. Our goal is for all students to increase their reading level and enjoyment of reading. We will also be using the AR (Accelerated Reading) program. Please also see the attached detailed information about specific reading requirements.
Writing
Students will do a lot of writing this year in all areas. Our goal is for students to become fluent writers. We will also focus on writing many different writing genres. The fifth grade curriculum also includes language, mechanics, and grammar. As an extension of previously taught lessons, students will be asked to apply cursive writing at times throughout the year. Please note that much of our writing work will not come home, as it will be placed in a student portfolio that travels with them to future teachers. Also, much work is done in a writing journal that remains at school.
Word Study
We will use Word Journeys (Word Study) this year, which focuses on learning and applying the rules of spelling, not just memorizing words. Word Study is a spelling and phonics program developed at the University of Virginia. Through word sorts, comparing and contrasting words, students naturally improve their spelling skills. The program uses a developmental assessment to place students. Please read additional the handout, provided soon, for more specific information.
Encore Classes
Our time slot for P.E./Music is everyday from 10:45-11:30 am. Music occurs on odd calendar days. Our students participate in PE on even calendar days. Each class also will attend Spanish twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In addition, classes visit the Media Center weekly. We will have STEAM/Art once a week during the second semester only.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Fifth grade is a year that you will see your child make big gains in the area of responsibility and organization. Our management plan encourages good decision-making and helps to create an enthusiastic and positive learning environment where students feel safe, respected, and treated fairly. In order to achieve this, our classes are following 4 guidelines:
- Be Ready
- Be Responsible
- Be Respectful
- Be Reasonable
Homework
Homework will be assigned most nights. Students will be given time at school to begin and sometimes complete them. Homework Planners will come home daily and show what assignments were given. We complete planners together at the end of each day. Even if homework is finished in class, students are still required to write it down, so you know what the assignment is. As a backup, you can always get an update on important dates, assignments, tests, or project due dates by signing up to Remind to receive daily notices. Please sign the Planner nightly to let us know you are aware of assignments and your child has completed the required homework. As a general guide, you can expect no more than an hour of homework per night, including reading. If your child is consistently spending more time than this, please contact one of us, so we can evaluate this together. It is expected that each student will turn his or her homework in on the due date. If your child is absent, they will have the number of days absent to make up the work. Late work is due the next day. Consistently late work will warrant an email or phone call home.
Remind~ Electronic Homework Notification Option
If you are interested in receiving text message notifications of our daily homework, please sign up for Remind. You only need to send a text to 81010. The message must be @mrseten. If you have any questions, please ask one of the teachers.
OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION
Absences/Tardies:
When at all possible, please try to make all appointments (doctor, dentist, etc.) for after school hours. Please remember to sign your child in or out from the office when picking him/her up early or bringing him/her back to school. We will make every attempt to catch your child up academically after an absence; however, with appointments, mid-day illnesses, and missed days, it can be a challenge for us to keep the specifics of all of our students straight. It is helpful if your child takes responsibility for asking us what he/she missed upon returning, and if there is any work for him/her to make up. Beginning the day on time is essential for students. Please have your child to school to begin the day at 8:40 am.
*A note regarding extended absences*
Central Woodlands’ Policy: Families are encouraged not to take their child out of school for vacations. When a family vacation must be scheduled during the school year, please discuss the matter with your child’s teacher(s) to make necessary arrangements. It may be possible for the student to receive certain assignments that are to be completed during the trip. However, it is very difficult to replicate the type of thinking and interactions that occur in the classroom.
ID Cards
The student ID should be kept at school, as it is used at the Media Center and in the lunchroom. A replacement card costs $5.
Snacks
Students may bring a healthy snack to school, such as granola bars, fruit, crackers, cheese sticks, etc. We encourage a water bottle in class. Please avoid sending junk food, such as candy, cookies, etc.
Birthdays
Feel free to send a store bought treat to share with the class. If your child does plan to bring a treat, please try to email your child’s home block teacher ahead of time. (Mrs. Gillies- 27 students, Mrs. Ten Eyck- 28 students.)
COMMUNICATION
We feel very fortunate to work with your child this year and will do so in a compassionate manner, respecting each child as a unique and special person. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. It is our goal to respond within 24 hours.
We check our email regularly and feel this is the quickest way to get a hold of us. We can be reached at the following addresses:
Noelle Gillies: [email protected]
Erika Ten Eyck: [email protected]
Website
You can view our team’s website at: http://gilliesteneyck.weebly.com.
The website will be updated daily with important information about upcoming events, field trips, and our curriculum.
Phone
We can be reached at school (493-8790) between 8:05 and 8:30 AM, 10:45-11:30 AM, or 3:45-4:00 PM.
Helpful Fifth Grade Hints
Many parents ask how they can best help their child effectively transition to fifth and sixth grade. As both teachers and parents, we suggest the following to help your child meet greater demands here at school:
- Assign your child some jobs or responsibilities at home.
- Require a consistent homework/study/reading time.
- If you have a question or concern your child can easily address with the teachers, encourage him or her to advocate in this way. This is critical and encourages age-appropriate communication skills.
- If your child forgets something at home, allow him or her to go without it for the day. It will be ok and teaches self-reliance!
We are looking forward to a terrific year. We know your child’s education is very important to you as well, and together we can make this a memorable year!
Sincerely,
Noelle Gillies and Erika Ten Eyck