Saint Joan of ArcSaint Joan of Arc

Welcome Fifth Grade Parents!Welcome Fifth Grade Parents!

IntroductionIntroductionAttended Boston College for both my BA in Economics and Attended Boston College for both my BA in Economics and

M.Ed. In Elementary EducationM.Ed. In Elementary Education

• Worked in Corporate Banking for 3 yearsWorked in Corporate Banking for 3 years

• Entering my 6Entering my 6thth year of teaching, 3 year of teaching, 3rdrd year at SJA year at SJA

– Experience in 2-5 grade, Special Education / English at the Experience in 2-5 grade, Special Education / English at the high school level, Career Perspectives Instructor at the high school level, Career Perspectives Instructor at the Undergraduate Kelley School of Business at Indiana Undergraduate Kelley School of Business at Indiana UniversityUniversity

Classroom ManagementClassroom ManagementBehavior ExpectationsBehavior Expectations

– Based around 3 SJA NotionsBased around 3 SJA Notions• 1) Be Truthful1) Be Truthful• 2) Be Responsible2) Be Responsible• 3) Be Respectful3) Be Respectful

•Classroom Rules ContractClassroom Rules Contract

•Saints BucksSaints Bucks

•Three Strike PolicyThree Strike Policy

Saints BucksSaints Bucks• Reward based-behavior model within the classroom where

students can earn and lose “money” based on their behavior

• Over-arching objective of Saints Bucks is to create a positive, academic environment while also simulating some real world skills

• Students are asked to keep a ledger simulating a check ledger to keep track of their “finances” that they reconcile monthly

• At the end of each month, an auction will be held for items students can bid on. .

• Auction items include:– Homework passes– A chance to sit with a friend for the day– Small toys, etc

Saints BucksSaints Bucks

•Ways to Earn Saint Bucks:– Classroom Job $5 / day– Completed Homework $20 / day– Good Behavior $25

•Each student will pay $175 for rent and $25 for utilities at the beginning of each month

Saints BucksSaints Bucks

•Ways to Lose Saints Bucks:– Incomplete Classroom Job - $ 5 / day

– Late Homework - $ 20 / day

– Breaking Class rule - $25 each offense

Three Strike PolicyThree Strike Policy

• If a repetitive, disruptive behavior occurs, a three strike policy will be followed:– 1st Strike – Warning

– 2nd Strike – Note Written Home By Student To be Signed by Parent

– 3rd Strike – Demerit

• Behavior log is kept and discussed during conferences

Homework PolicyHomework Policy

• Students will have roughly 40 minutes of homework a night.

• In addition to that, they are required to independently read for 30 minutes a night.

• They are to write down their assignments in their planner every night.

• Homework assignments that aren’t turned in within a reasonable amount of time will receive a 0.

Homework RubricHomework Rubric• 5 Possible Points

– 1 point for turning in an assignment

– 1 point for putting his or her name on the assignment / complete heading

– 1 point for effort (neatness and cursive)

– 1 point for completeness (all directions read and followed)

– 1 point for written in pencil (math) and complete sentences

(Complete sentences are not necessary on vocabulary fill in and most math questions)

Grade ScaleGrade Scale

– SJA Grading Scale• A = 93-100• B = 85-92• C= 78-84• D = 70-77• F = 69 and below

TestsTests

• Social Studies, Math, and Science tests Social Studies, Math, and Science tests will occur on a fairly regular basis, but may will occur on a fairly regular basis, but may not be weekly.not be weekly.

• If a student receives a 79% or lower on a If a student receives a 79% or lower on a test, we require that they take it home to test, we require that they take it home to be signed by a parent and returned the be signed by a parent and returned the next day.next day.

BirthdaysBirthdays• Students may bring in a small treat for their birthday.

– Needs to be an item that can be distributed on an individual basis such as cupcakes, donuts, or cookies.

• Email me roughly a week prior to coordinate a date / time if you want to bring in a treat.

• If feasible, birthday celebrations should take place towards the end of the day.

• Summer birthdays will be celebrated in the month of June.

TechnologyTechnology• Technology used in the classroom includes…

– Smart Board / Mimio

– Document Camera

– Word / Excel

– Students Individual Netbook Computers• Publishing Writing • Interactive Teaching Websites• Research for Reports

– Discovery Education

– Class Clickers (Eventually Incorporated)

PowerSchoolPowerSchool

• http://archchicago.powerschool.comhttp://archchicago.powerschool.com

– All grades will be posted via All grades will be posted via PowerSchool on the first of each monthPowerSchool on the first of each month

Parent Volunteers / Field Parent Volunteers / Field TripsTrips

• We Need Help With…

– Field Trips ~• We need 2 fathers to volunteer for the camping trip in April

– Class Parties

• Two Field Trips…

– 1) “Rock the Presidents” Performance at North Shore Center for Performing Arts in the Fall ~ Oct 12

– 2) 5th Grade Overnight Camping Trip in Spring ~ April 18th-19th

• More information will be handed out as the time of the field trips become closer

• Special thanks to Mary Ginley, Patti Sheahan, and Kate Delaney, this year’s Room Parents

Curriculum OverviewCurriculum Overview

• English

• Reading

• Spelling/Vocabulary

• Math

• Social Studies

• Religion

• Social Studies

EnglishEnglish• CurriculumCurriculum: : Scott Foresman’s series• Ties spelling, grammar, writing, and reading topics into one

in order to enhance student comprehension• The writing curriculum focuses on Writer’s Workshop and

the 6-Trait Writing Program, which consists of conventions, word choice, sentence fluency, organization / paragraphs, voice, and ideas

• Daily DOL (Daily Oral Language) will be administered• English Grade Breakdown

– Homework / Classwork – 20%– Projects / Writing – 40%– Tests /Quizzes – 20%– Daily Oral Language (DOL)- 10%– Participation – 10%

ReadingReading• CurriculumCurriculum: : Scott Foresman’s Reading Street• Consists of various literature, including historical fictions,

realistic fictions, fantasy, mystery, play, poetry, adventure stories, and expository texts

• Reading curriculum provides guided reading so students can move at their own pace

• Weekly tests on short stories unless we are reading a class novel

• Conduct literature circles where students have a particular job:– Discussion Director– Vocabulary Enricher– Connector– Summarizer

• Reading Grade Breakdown– Novels / Projects – 30%– Classroom / Homework – 20%– Tests /Quizzes – 40%– Participation – 10%

Spelling / VocabularySpelling / Vocabulary• CurriculumCurriculum: : Scott Foresman’s series• Monday - Pretest will be administered• Friday - Test will be conducted on all 25 words• Spelling City and personal word wall will be used to

increase comprehension• Spelling / Vocabulary Grade Breakdown

– Classroom / Homework – 20%– Tests /Quizzes – 80%

MathMath• CurriculumCurriculum: : Harcourt Math• Minute Math (3 mins)

– Conducted once regularly– Students can’t move forward a page until they get 100% Students can’t move forward a page until they get 100% – Students will have a chance to correct mistakes for ½ credit Students will have a chance to correct mistakes for ½ credit

each weekeach week

– Notes are taken to reinforce topics in math spiral notebooks. Notes are taken to reinforce topics in math spiral notebooks. Effort put forth in notes will be graded.Effort put forth in notes will be graded.

– Math Grade Breakdown:Math Grade Breakdown:• Homework / Classwork- 30%Homework / Classwork- 30%• Tests – 50%Tests – 50%• Minute Math / Quizzes – 15%Minute Math / Quizzes – 15%• Notes / Classwork – 5%Notes / Classwork – 5%

Social StudiesSocial Studies• CurriculumCurriculum: : Scott Foresman’s The United States

• Focuses on an overview of American History from pre-Revolutionary War period through the early part of the twentieth century

• Notes in the Cornell style will be taken to reinforce important topics. Students will be graded on their notes.

• Fun projects include becoming an entrepreneur, painting like Michelangelo, and the Colonial Wax Museum

• Social Studies Grade Breakdown– Homework / Classwork – 15%– Test / Quizzes - 50%– Projects – 25%– Notes – 10%

ReligionReligion• Curriculum: Curriculum: Blest Are We

• Focuses on the sacraments, the feasts and seasons, and our Catholic heritage

• Grades based on projects, written work, homework, and class participation– Behavior / work ethic in class– Prayer Service– Mass– Leading Prayer over the PA

• Religion Grade Breakdown– Projects / Reflections – 25%– Tests / Quizzes – 30%– Homework / Classwork – 25%– Participation – 20%

ScienceScience• Curriculum: Curriculum: Macmillan McGraw-Hill

• Teaches the topics of life science, Earth science, and physical science

• Lab experiments and notes will be conducted to reinforce key concepts

• Science Grade Breakdown– Homework / Projects / Notes – 15%– Tests – 45%– Quizzes – 10%– Labs – 20%– Participation – 10%

Reports / Reports / Special ProjectsSpecial Projects

• Human Wax Museum – Colonial Human Wax Museum – Colonial AmericaAmerica– WinterWinter

• Painting Like Michelangelo Painting Like Michelangelo – FallFall

Class Service ProjectsClass Service Projects

• Lent– Collection of Items for YWCA Women’s

Shelter

• Soup Kitchen

Classroom Parties/ Events Classroom Parties/ Events of Interestof Interest

• Classroom Parties– Halloween– Christmas

• Penny Drop – Proceeds Go to Scholarship Fund

• Book Mobile - Every other Friday• Gym – Tuesdays / Thursdays• Battle of the Books

Important AttachmentsImportant Attachments

• Report Card Copy

• Parent-Volunteer Sign-Up

• Emergency Closing Phone Tree

Contact InformationContact Information

• Call me at school

• Email: kthorpe@saintjoanofarc.net

– I am available to meet before and after school with prior notice.

–Questions?