Welcome to

Our Family of 5th Graders!

We’re glad you’re here!

Students, Teachers,and Parents

Working Together…

Meet the TeacherMrs. Hawley and

Mrs. Allen

Mrs. Hawley Mrs. Allen

Mrs. Hawley’s Family

Mrs. Allen’s Family

School is fun, and don’t let anyone tell you differently!

Yes, we do have planners!• We write in them

EVERY DAY!

• We also have a classroom planner for kids to check if they’re absent.

• Parents should sign the planner, including the behavior, calendar every Friday.

Our Behavior Plan

• Our behavior plan includes ways in which individual and class rewards and consequences can be earned. A letter was sent home describing this plan.

• Your child will fill out a color in their planner representing how their behavior was in the classroom each day. Please check your child’s planner to see how they’re doing, and don’t forget to initial it on Fridays! Go green!

HomeworkPurpose• Reinforce

learning• Help retain

knowledge• Provide practice• Encourage self-

evaluation• Develop self-

directed learning

Friday folders come home every Friday! Imagine that!

They contain all sorts of important things, like: – Corrected work– Notes from the office– The current spelling packet

Please review it with your child and sign and return it on Monday.

Ah, yes…. the dreaded …Missing Assignment Notes

• Missing assignment notes will be sent home every Friday. They will list any missing work for the card marking.

• If your child has missing work, please sign the sheet and return it with your child on Monday. (It would be great if the work were attached, too)!

• Those NOT returned will merit phone calls or emails from us!

Progress Report Cardswill be accessed ONLINE!!!

• Sent home three times a year…. December, March, and June

• Conferences will be held on October 22nd and October 24th

• Please make sure to sign up tonight!

• A Student Action Plan will be utilized at the conference in lieu of a progress report card– Areas of strength– Areas needing

improvement– Goal(s)

Grading Criteria• Students’ papers will either be

graded on a scale of 1 – 4, as this is the scale on our progress report cards, or with a percentage grade, depending on the assignment.

• In general, the new district percentages on papers are proposed to be as follows:

90 – 100: 480 – 89: 365 – 79: 265 – below: 1

Readers WorkshopReader’s Workshop is the organizational structure for delivering

quality reading instruction. Reader’s Workshop is an extended time for students to read, think, and converse about books on a daily basis. The main focus is to differentiate, or personalize, instruction in order to accommodate the learning needs of all students while fostering a love for reading.

Reader’s Workshop includes:

• A focused mini-lesson with the whole class about reading process, skills, or strategies (such as reading strategies, comprehension strategies, word work strategies)

• Students independently reading and the teacher conferencing with individuals

• Teacher instructing small groups• Students reflecting upon and responding to their reading

orally and in writing• Students working on assignments relative to the mini-lessons• Whole group sharing time and/or peer conferences

Writing• is taught every day

• is based on many different genres, including journal writing, stories, poetry, personal narratives, persuasive essays, etc.

• It may require some word processing at home. If this is not possible, please contact the teacher.

Math

• We will be using the Everyday Math series again this year.

• It requires a GREAT deal of problem solving and THINKING!

• Family Letters explaining what we’ll be studying, along with the answers to the study links may be accessed online on our website!

• MATH IS FUN!

Social Studies• Is taught to both

classes by Mrs. Hawley

• Units based on state benchmarks

– U.S. History

– Geography

– Economics

– Civics/Presidential Election

Science• Is taught to both

classes by Mrs. Allen

• Includes life, earth, and physical sciences

• Is a hands-on and textbook approach

“Help!”exclaimed Mrs. Allen.

Field Trips

• Camp Copneconic: 11/6-11/8! Sign up to chaperone! Pizza kits may be sold to help with some of the costs. The cost for camp is $150.00

• THERE IS A CAMP INFORMATION MEETING FOR PARENTS ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1ST, AT 7 P.M.

• Mystic Creek Golf – Tuesday, June 3rd. Any parent may go.

Little Caesar Pizza Kit Sales

• We will be selling Pizza Kits to help pay for camp. Packets will be coming home on 9/27.

• Selling is optional.• Important dates: 10/2: Pizza Sale Begins 10/11: Pizza Orders DUE 10/17: Please pick up your orders in the cafeteria

Join the Fun!October 1st!

• The Fun Run is our

only all-school

fundraiser this year!

• Our PTA provides many

wonderful things for our

school with the money

that is earned.

• Prizes will be awarded

to the highest selling

students and classes.

The MEAP test is coming!

• October 7th-18th window

• Tests on Language Arts, Math, and Science

Sign up for the COE newsletter!• No more newsletters will be

sent home!• If you would like them

emailed to you (as well as other important information), please do the following:

1. Go to the Huron Valley Schools website

2. Click on the ListServ link3. Fill out the form with your

name and email address. 4. Click on Country

Oaks and any other information you would like. 5. The information will be emailed to you.

• Please sign up for a conference, and camp, and take your Curriculum Guides!

Our Classroom Web Page

Visit our site often!! Bookmark it!

http://teacherweb.com/MI/CountryOaksElementary/MrsAllenandMrsHawley/apt5.aspx

• Classroom updates• Spelling words – including Challenge words• Family friendly links to a variety of subjects• And more!

• If you have ANY questions or concerns at ANY time, please don’t hesitate to email, call, or jot us a note.

THANKS FOR COMING!