Step up Notes

Science: • Science is taught everyday as a separate class • Students will take lesson quizzes and unit tests. The quizzes/tests can be very challenging for

students in the beginning of the year. • Good note-taking, rereading of lessons, and regular studying are essential to success. • SCIENCE IS A STANDARDIZED TESTED SUBJECT IN 5th GRADE!!!!!!!!!

Homework –vs- Studying: What’s the difference in 5th grade? • Homework is comprised of a task to be completed and turned in by a dead line. • Studying is independent reviewing/rereading of skills and concepts done in preparation of

quizzes and tests. This is done on the students’ own time and typically results in higher assessment grades.

Reading: • 5th grade will continue to use the Wonders curriculum that was introduced last year. • AR is a VERY important part of 5th grade reading.

--reading goals MUST be met each nine-weeks --AR counts as a significant part of the reading grade --Our emphasis should be on chapter books....with picture

books kept to a minimum --participation in reward events such as, but not limited to,

recess and field trips, can be tied to successful progress on AR goals/points • Social Studies is built into reading. Grades will come from readings, projects, etc. • 5th grade participates in the Spelling Bee and the Tropicana Speech Contest

Dress Code: • Strict adherence to the dress code is an expectation • Some regularly observed offenses include: leggings (which CANNOT be worn as pants....must be

worn underneath dresses), baggy pants with no belts, and foot wear (no heels, no backless sandals, no slides). Please familiarize yourself with the Springwood Dress Code at the beginning of the year.

• Students will be asked to contact parents if they arrive at school in clothing that violates the dress code

End-of-Year 5th Grade Events: • Participation in ALL end-of-year events is dependent upon positive behavior. S t u d e n t s w h o

receive behavior referrals will not be eligible for our end-of-year events • Though no details can be arranged this early, please know that we will work to provide your

children with the opportunity to participate in an end-of-year field trip. The trip can cost anywhere from $80-$110...start putting away some money now!

Summer Packets: • All students received a Summer Packet during our meeting. This work represents a GREAT

opportunity to keep skills fresh over the summer and to make sure all students are ready to

hit the ground running next year. • Please work out a schedule to ensure that children are prepared to bring their Summer Packets with them on the 1st day of school next year!

Step up to fifth grade

Dear Parents/Guardians,

It was such a treat to get to spend some time with your children this morning.  We are all looking forward to working with you next year.  Though we do not expect the children to remember every detail of all we discussed, it was nice to spend some time sharing information and answering their questions.  Attached you will find a brief outline of the topics we touched on today.  We assure you all that we will redistribute all of this information as our 2015-2016 school year gets underway.  The meeting this morning was mostly to help your children feel confident and comfortable about joining us in 5th grade.  Perhaps the most important "take-aways" from today will be:  1.  Get the Summer Packet completed and ready to be turned in on the first day of school next year.  2.  Behavior expectations are very high for our 5th graders and next year is a fresh start for everyone.  3.  Though we don't know a single detail yet….we do typically take a big field trip in 5th grade.  Start stashing away some money now to make that easier.

Again, we are super excited to usher in the Class of 2016 and are eager to get to know your children better.  Please review the attached meeting notes so you will have a better idea of things to come.  Enjoy a wonderful summer with your families and we will see you in the Fall!!

Sincerely,

Koneshia Cofield, Erin Richardson, Danielle Rioux, Laura Snyder & Brooks Sperling

Springwood Elementary School

5th Grade

Want To Keep You Child Working During The Summer?

Here are some great resources!  It's easy for you to use and are on sale right now!  

Summer Bridge Activities

Bridging Grades Fourth to Fifth (4-5) helps prepare students for fifth grade. Activities are designed to review the skills mastered in fourth grade and preview the skills to be learned in fifth grade.

• INCLUDES:
• Addition and Subtraction
• Data Analysis
• Geometry
• Multiplication and Division
• Fractions
• Measurement
• Mixed Math Practice
• Time and Money
• Language Arts
• Writing
• Vocabulary
• Reading Comprehension
• Character Development
• Easy Science Experiments
• Fitness Activities
• Outdoor Extension Activities
• Suggested Summer Reading List
• Answer Key
• Flash Cards
• Certificate of Completion

Human Growth and Development Class

The letter informing parents about the Human Growth and Development Class will be sent home on Friday.  YOU ONLY NEED TO RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE LETTER IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR CHILD TO PARTICIPATE.  

Please help!

Dear Parents,

Here is the sign up information for our class booth at the Spring Festival.  Thank you to the four parents who have volunteered to work our booth.  Thank you Mrs. Hunter, Mrs. Frison, Ms. Broadnax and Mrs. Jackson!!! 

We still need a few more volunteers at all of the time slots except from 10:00-11:00.  

Please let us know which time slot you are available to work.  

-- Sat, 5/2/15 10:00AM - 11:00AM at Springwood : Bozo Buckets, • Each player throws 6 balls and tries to get them in the bucket • 0-5 = small prize • 6 – large prize - Kateenah Hunter/Ms. Frison
-- Sat, 5/2/15 11:00AM - 12:00PM at Springwood: Bozo Buckets, • Each player throws 6 balls and tries to get them in the bucket • 0-5 = small prize • 6 – large prize – No one
-- Sat, 5/2/15 12:00PM - 1:00PM at Springwood: Bozo Buckets, • Each player throws 6 balls and tries to get them in the bucket • 0-5 = small prize • 6 – large prize - Letina Broadnax
-- Sat, 5/2/15 1:00PM - 2:00PM at Springwood : Bozo Buckets, • Each player throws 6 balls and tries to get them in the bucket • 0-5 = small prize • 6 – large prize - Melissa Jackson 

field trip fees, progress alerts

Last call for field trip money on Monday!!  $6.00

Don't forget to send in the permission slip.  Please write a note giving your permission if you've lost it.  

Your child's progress alert was due today too.  If you are not sure if your child is eligible to go, check the progress alert. 

PLEASE SEND IN MONEY, PERMISSION SLIPS, AND PROGRESS ALERTS ON Monday! 

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Progress Alerts and Spring Festival sign-ups

Please sign and return the two stapled reports being sent home today.  If your child will be out for Take Your Child to Work Day, please return the signed reports on Friday. 

Also, we don't have enough volunteers from our class signed up to work at our Spring Festival booth on May 2nd.

Which time slot would you like to fill?

10:00-11:00

11:00-12:00

12:00-1:00

1:00-2:00

Please send me an email to let me know if you haven't done so already. 

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support!

Help Me Understand AR

Remember this post about seeing you child's AR progress at home?  And this one about how AR is being tracked and assessed?

Sometimes you'll hear a student say, "I've met my points goal, but not my percentage goal."  Or maybe they say, "I have my percentage, but not my points goal."  WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Think about it as a grade.  The AR tests that students take are averaged together, just like other grades.  They need to have at least an 85%.   Points goals and book levels are determined by a test the students take.  Each of them have their own goal and book level based on their ability. (The students might describe their level as "colors I can check out."  Books are leveled by color to help students when checking out in the Media Center.)  This means that every child has a goal that they can reach!

Here's an example of having one goal, but not the other.  Don't forget...the ATOS book level tells you what level your child is reading on.  (In this example the child is reading on a 3rd grade, 3rd month level.  Meaning the 3rd month of the 3rd grade.  The absolute MINIMUM students should be at for this point in the school year is 4.7.)

Remember...this is all available on your phone or tablet!  It doesn't take a home computer to get this information!

Reminders

Please don't forget to let us know what time you can work at the Spring festival.

Don't forget to send in your child's Joe Budd money- It's due next Monday.

Take your child to work day is on Thursday!  Extra credit is available. 

Progress Alerts are going home on Wednesday.  Please sign and return.  

On track with AR

Congratulations to these students!  They have completed 47% of their AR point goal with an 85% or higher quiz average!  They earned a treat and received a 100% for one of their weekly AR homework grades. Please initial your child's AR tracking sheet and return it on Monday for the other weekly AR  homework grade.

Lessons in the Laws of Motion

We had a special visitor come to teach us about forces today!  Ask your child about the cool things they did and learned.

Here's an example of one of the activities.  

Take your child to work!

You are encouraged to have your child participate in Take Your Child To Work day on April 23rd.  A short assignment on what your child did/learned that day will be offered for extra credit in your child's Language Arts class.

Spring Festival Sign-up

Hello Parents!

It's Spring Festival time on May 2nd!  We need volunteers from our classes to work at the Bozo Buckets game.  

Who wants to fill these slots:

10:00-11:00

11:00-12:00

12:00-1:00

1:00-2:00

The materials should be provided, so all you have to do is take the tickets and hand the balls to the player to throw into the bucket.  Easy!

Ideally, we would have 2 parents for each time slot. Please let us know which slot you'd like to work.  

Thank you!

Mrs. Rodriguez and Mrs. Lynch

Please initial!

Each week we track your child's AR progress.  The tracking sheet was filled out for the week on Friday, and your initials were required as homework.  Most students received a zero because the initials were missing.  Good job to the 7 students who got their parent's initials.  They received a 100% for their homework grade!

Upcoming Field Trip

This letter is coming home tomorrow to students with satisfactory behavior.  Please note that if your child receives a letter, but their behavior status declines prior to the trip, they may not be able to attend.  Good behavior is a necessity in order to go on this trip.  Please continue to encourage your child to be on his/her best behavior!  

Joe Budd Aquatic Center

April 10, 2015

Dear Parents,

            On May 4th/5th our classes will be taking a field trip to Joe Budd!  Joe Budd Aquatic Education Center (JBAEC) is located just outside Tallahassee, in the midst of a Wildlife Management Area, and provides an opportunity for students to learn about aquatic ecology in a natural setting. Students participate in a study of pond life and are provided with equipment and supervised instruction while they enjoy fishing in JBAEC's well-stocked 15-acre pond.

Having enough chaperones is crucial to any field trip. By actively supervising, chaperones can help to make sure our children are safe and add to the enjoyment of the trip.   If you can help out in this capacity, please indicate below.  We may need some chaperones to drive and/or ride in cars, as bus space is sometimes limited.  If you are willing to do this, please indicate that below also.  Thank you in advance!

            Students must have satisfactory behavior to be eligible to attend. 

Please encourage your child to dress in comfortable and appropriate clothes and shoes.  This particular trip will be entirely outdoors.  Please make sure that sunscreen and/or bug repellent have been applied before they come to school.  Hats and sunglasses are welcome on this day to provide additional sun protection.

We will leave school around 9:30 am and return around 1:00 pm.  The cost of this field trip is $6 per child.  All money and permission slips are due on or before Monday, April 27th.  We cannot accept checks.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher at 488-6225.

           

Rodriguez/Lynch – May 4th

Blake/Vaughn- May 5th

           

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    The 4^rd Grade Team

My child,  ___________________________, has my permission to go on the Joe Budd field trip.

_____________________________________

Parent Signature

                        ____ I can chaperone.

           

____ I am willing to drive my own car, if needed.

Curious About Your Child's Progress?

Ever wonder about your child's progress/grades?

Everything is at your fingertips.  You can see every grade for every assignment your child completes (or doesn't turn in) by logging into Pinpoint.  With this resource available, as well as graded work being sent home,  we do not send regular grade communication other than Progress Alerts and Report Cards.  The same information we would provide you is available from the parent side of Pinpoint.  If you ever want it printed out, we are happy to send that home.  Just ask!  (Don't forget to tell your child to give us a handwritten note...sometimes they forget.  We promise that we aren't ignoring you!)

Make is easier on yourself and sign up for email subscriptions!  Grades will be sent to you weekly, daily or when they fall below a certain level (that you choose).  It's up to you what you receive.  You will need to renew these subscriptions when the next school year begins, and for the 2nd semester in January 2016.  (If I'm being completely honest, I never log into Pinpoint because the email I receive each Thursday gives me everything that I need to know, down to the assignment name and the score earned, for my 2nd grader. -Mrs. Lynch)

The "Stay Informed" tab at the top of our blog will give you step by step details on setting this up.

No computer?  No worries!  It's phone and tablet friendly.

If you need your child's unique login information, please ask!  We'll send it home or respond to your email!

lyncht@leonschools.net
rodriguezc@leonschools.net

How can I check AR at home?

Want to know if your child is "on track with AR?"  Here's a quick and easy way to find out.

Click here.

Enter your child's student ID number.  It can be found on the Report Card near their name. Also, they know this 9-digit number.  If your child doesn't know what you mean by "student number," ask them, "what is your 171 number?"  They'll recite it quicker than you can type it.

The password is their first and last initial.

You will see other things on the screen when you log in, but here's the important part.

Below you see a student that is on track with points, but has not met the percent correct.  Students must have an 85% correct AND have 35% of the points they need by Friday to be considered making appropriate progress.

You can also see your child's reading level.  In this example, the child is reading books at a "3.3 level."  This means the average book read is a book appropriate for a 3rd grader in the 3 month of the school year. This information is VALUABLE!  It tells you your child's reading ability.  Students should at least be at a 4.7 reading level with 85% on the quizzes taken.

We're So Excited FSA Testing is Over

We simply can't contain our excitement.

AR getting checked on Monday!

Mrs. Rodriguez will be out on Friday.  The AR tracking sheet will be checked on Monday instead.  Please remember to look at your child's sheet on Monday and initial it.

AR homework grades

Each Monday, students will receive a homework grade for getting their AR tracking sheet initialed for the previous week.  They will also receive a homework grade for meeting their weekly AR goal.  A grade of 0 will be entered if the sheet was not initialed and/or if the weekly goal was not met.

FSA Testing Next Week

Students will take the state assessment (FSA) next week!  Please be sure your child is well rested, at school and on time every day!

Monday and Tuesday – ELA Testing

Wednesday and Thursday – Math Testing

4th Quarter AR Contract/Tracking Sheet

We have a new system for tracking AR progress this quarter.  Today you will see your child's AR contract and tracking sheet stapled inside his/her agenda book.  Each Friday your child will record their AR progress.  For homework over the weekend, they will need to get the form initialed by a parent.  Two homework grades will be given:  100%  for getting the form initialed by Monday, and 100%  for being "on track."  Being "on track" weekly with AR means that your child met the weekly percentage of their goal AND they have an average percent correct of 85 or higher.  Students will receive a grade of 0% for each criteria that was not met. Please help to support our efforts by asking your child about what they're reading, monitoring the time that they spend reading, initialing the paper weekly, discussing their progress with them, and last but not least, by providing a reward or consequence weekly for their AR performance.  Better readers equals better students and we want ALL of our students to be successful!!  Please let Mrs. Rodriguez know if you have any questions!!

Weekly Update

Hello!  Hope everyone had a restful Spring Break.  We're back in the swing of things here.

• Welcome to the 4th 9 weeks!  
• Florida Studies is back on schedule.  Students have been given some time in class to help make up for the lost time to complete it. 
• AR Goals have started over.  Ask your child what their new goal is and what book they're currently reading.  
• FSA Testing is next week!  Students will take the ELA portion on Monday and Tuesday, March 30th- 31st.  The Math portion will be taken on Wednesday and Thursday, April 1st-2nd.  We cannot stress enough the importance of attendance this and next week!  "Be here and be on time!"
• Be on the lookout for Spring Festival information. 
• 3rd 9 weeks Report Cards will be coming home soon.  For a detailed report of your child's grades please check  Pinpoint.  Misplaced your child's log-in information?  Just send us an email and we'll get that information to you.  lyncht@leonschools.net or rodriguez@leonschools.net

Kidney Disease Awareness Project

Attendance

Attendance is taken at 8:30.  Please ensure that your child arrives on time each day.  Also, if your child plans on eating breakfast at school, they must be on campus early enough to eat it before the bell rings at 8:25.  

Thanks in advance for your support, and let's have a great last 9 weeks!

Climate Survey

In an effort to improve system practices, Leon County School District is conducting a Parent Survey. We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey. In order to complete the survey, please go to: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/6617029

 

Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous. Your opinion is appreciated. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

 

A few reminders

Birthdays – We love to recognize birthdays.  If you would like to send in a treat for the class, items must be in the office by 10:45am.  Please only send in easily distributed items such as cupcakes or cookies (no sheet cakes.)  Make sure to notify the homeroom teacher at least a day in advance.  Also, please don't send in treat bags, party hats, or other birthday party items.   

Work Completion after an absence- There was an extraordinary number of student absences this 9 week grading period, as well as students arriving late and leaving early.  Please be reminded that if your child misses a test or a quiz due to an absence, it is their responsibility to ask for their work and complete upon their return.  If the work is not made up in a timely manner, it may result in a zero. 

The last 9 weeks- Please help your child to organize their backpack and binder before returning to school after the break.  Please remove school letters/information, trash, graded papers, etc. and replace ripped or lost folders.  Your child also needs to have sharpened pencils and notebook paper in their binder. 

Chapter 11 Math Notes

Angles, Turns and Degrees

When in a fraction, the denominator must be 360!  If it is, the numerator is the measure of the angle in degrees. 

Using a Protractor

Remember, it's important to identify the angle as acute or obtuse before measuring.

Join and Separate Angles 

Finding missing angles is easy if you use what you know: circles are 360 degrees, straight angles are 180 degrees and right angles are 90 degress

One test down, two to go!

FSA prep for tonight

Tonight I suggest that students review their 2 pages of FSA writing notes, as well as their essays.   I have posted on this blog examples of both kinds of writing. I would like for them to compare their essays to the essays that are posted and look for things that may be lacking from their papers.  With both types of writing students need to divide their 90 minutes to include 30 minutes for reading the directions, reading the text set and for planning their essays.  The next 45 minutes should be spent on writing their essays.  The last 15 minutes should be spent on revising and editing.

Good luck fourth graders on the test tomorrow!!

FSA Writing Test is Tuesday!

It's almost time for the FSA Writing test. Your child has been working hard to prepare for the test on Tuesday, March 10th. Please continue to make sure that your child is at school and on time each day. Also, please ensure that your child has been getting enough sleep every night, and a healthy breakfast every day. We want to make sure that they are ready for the test on Tuesday, March 10th! Thanks for all of your help and support!!

Math Chapter 11

Heads up....This is a SHORT chapter.  With just 5 lessons, we will take the Mid-Chapter Quiz on Monday and our Chapter Test on Wednesday of next week.

Opinion essay notes

FSA opinion essay example

Opinion Essay Example

How much homework should kids get?

This is an example of an FSA style opinion essay’s format

            Many teachers feel that homework helps support learning that takes place in the classroom, but others feel that too much homework is a bad thing.  It is my opinion that less homework is better so that I have time for after school activities and so that I don’t learn to hate school.

            To begin with, I feel that I should have a smaller amount of homework because I need time to participate in after school activities like playing softball.  In the article, “The Homework Hubbub,” the author states that homework keeps kids from participating in sport and after school programs.  I agree!  Although, I have never missed a game because of homework, I have stayed up until midnight getting work done after a big game.  This caused me to sleepily fall asleep the next day during an important chapter test.  My homework the night before did not help me, but hurt me.  If only I had been assigned a realistic 30 minutes instead of two hours like the author Gabby Sands says is all that is needed.  I am in complete agreement with Ms. Sands when she says that kids need time to exercise and be kids!  Less homework is definitely better.

           

            Another reason that I believe less homework is better is because I don’t want to hate school.  Right now, I love school.  I love reading, I love math, and I most definitely love science.  Pile on the homework, and I may just start to hate school like the daughter of “Too Much Homework: Bad for Kids” author, Nancy Kalish.  The article said that her daughter was an enthusiastic middle-schooler- until homework took over her life.  The article went on to say that she worked every night and all weekend and began to dread school!  This makes me sad to know that homework caused this problem and could have been prevented with less homework.  I do not want the same experience for myself.  As of this moment I love school and I want to keep it that way!

            In conclusion, the article, “Homework Hubbub” stated that, “No study shows that students benefit in any way from homework before high school.”  I definitely agree with this statement and believe less is more.  Less is better so all kids have time for after school sports and clubs, and so that they never come to dread school.  I want kids to have fun and love school and less homework would certainly help.