School Supplies: Note: This list is for both homerooms, Thornton and Webb. These supplies are needed for your child to be prepared. If you cannot get any or all supplies, contact Mr. Thornton and we’ll work something out. FIFTH GRADE COMMON SUPPLY LIST

Backpack (NO WHEELS) Colored pencils/twistables Hand-held pencil sharpener * 6 dozen plain yellow #2 pencils (no mechanical) * 4 packs of cap erasers * 4-pack of plain 3” x 3” square Post-it notes * 4 packs of Expo low-odor dry erase markers (large with chisel tip) 2 highlighters (different colors) 1 pair student scissors * 2 glue sticks 2 Marble composition notebooks 2 3-prong folders with pockets 1 BLACK folder (for Media Center) 1 Zippered pencil pouch with holes (no boxes) 2 1½“ 3-ring binders * 2 packs of wide ruled paper ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES: 1 additional marble composition notebook (total of 3) 1 additional 3 prong folder (total of 4, one which is black for media center) * 2 additional glue sticks (total 4) * 1 dozen red pens * box of tissues NOTE: Some supplies will be shared in our classroom (designated with * )

Communication: E-Mail:

daniel.thornton@sdhc.k12.fl.us This is the best way to contact me as I check it usually twice a day.

WEB:

EDSBY-- District Grading and Classroom Social Media Parents: go to https://sdhc.edsby.com/ and click on “Parent Sign-Up” to access student grades, assignment info and timely classroom news (Available after August 10)

Other Resources Website: http://brooker.mysdhc.org/teacher/0401thornton

Please add these websites to your home computer’s favorites to find out about classroom activities, news, assignments and more!

Agenda Books:

Free to students and used every day to record homework responsibilities and reminders. These must be signed by parents daily.

Thursday Folder:

The Thursday Folder will contain all flyers, newsletters, behavior cards and corrected schoolwork. This Communi-cation Folder (and behavior card) should be signed and returned to school the following Friday.

Brooker Behavior Cards:

A daily record of your child’s behavior. A clean behavior card is a good thing!

Welcome to 5th Grade! I hope to provide you and your child with the best possible 5th grade experience possible. First, let me tell you a little about myself.

I am originally from New York. I grew up in the beautiful Finger Lakes District of NY. I earned my BS in Elementary Education at Keuka College, and later a Masters in Special Education at the College of St. Rose. I taught in New York for 11 years, most of that, as a 5th grade teacher at the Coxsackie-Athens School District, located south of Albany.

In the winter of 2003, my husband and I decided to move to Florida. My early job search brought me to Brooker Elementary where I felt an immediate connection. Even though I had several schools to choose from, I knew Brooker provided a place where I could grow as an

educator and connect with a school community where I would be welcomed and appreciated as I had in NY.

I am thrilled to begin my fifteenth year at Brooker and excited to be teaming up with Mrs. Webb. She will teach reading and writing and I will teach math and science. We will teach social studies to our own homerooms. Our students will enjoy a special relationship with each other and will have opportunities to mix and share experiences with each other.

5th Grade Curriculum: As your child’s math, science and social studies teacher, I closely follow Florida Standards and Sunshine State Standards. Visit http://www.floridastudents.org for detailed info. Math:

I will be following the curriculum plan developed by the Florida Standards. Our Mathematics curriculum includes these critical areas: Operations with Whole Numbers, Decimals and Fractions, Understanding Algebraic Expressions, Geometry and Measurement and Data. Our Units of Study will seek to help students achieve deeper understanding through investigations, interactions with manipulatives and technology, and problem solving. We will be learning mathematical concepts though a variety

of activities and resources such as games, web sites and hands-on experiences. Students will keep a math journal in class that will help them

document and reflect on their learning. They will use their journals to keep track of math vocabulary and explain their thinking as they problem solve. Students will be assessed formally and informally. Formal assessments include traditional multiple choice and short answer quizzes and tests while informal assessments include evidence of learning through verbal responses, anecdotal notes, and performance tasks.

Science:

Students in my science classes will have numerous opportunities to learn concepts in Earth, Physical and Life Sciences, as well as the “practice” of science through a variety of methods including textbook reading/discussion, teacher and student demonstration, small group and individual exploration, observation, long-term investigations and inquiry-based experimentation. All students will use their 3-ring binder to organize lesson vocabulary, diagrams, hand-outs and lab sheets. Part of their science grade will include their organization of these materials. Classes will collaborate and create a class STEM project using traditional scientific method. Students will have the opportunity to enter a grade level STEM competition (optional).

Social Studies:

Fifth grade Social Studies includes the study of U.S. geography and history, as well as civics, government and economics. As in all subjects I teach, I closely follow expectations as proposed by Florida’s Sunshine State Standards. We will use our social studies textbook and other non-fiction text as tools to learn and discuss information in the above stated areas. Students will be engaged in historical role-playing, geography challenges, class discussion of historical events and creation of group and individual projects that demonstrate their understanding of main ideas.