Classroom Handbook
Dear Parents,
I am delighted to have the opportunity work with your child in 5th grade. I anticipate a fantastic journey of learning new information and setting goals for the future.
All of us will strive to work together to keep our classroom a safe and structured learning environment. Attached you will find information relating to classroom procedures and expectations. Also attached is information relating to the curriculum we will study this school year.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns throughout the school year. I frequently check email and voicemail and will respond as promptly as possible
Thank you for your support. I look forward to meeting you and working with you and your child to make this a marvelous school year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Elyse Marsh
I am delighted to have the opportunity work with your child in 5th grade. I anticipate a fantastic journey of learning new information and setting goals for the future.
All of us will strive to work together to keep our classroom a safe and structured learning environment. Attached you will find information relating to classroom procedures and expectations. Also attached is information relating to the curriculum we will study this school year.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns throughout the school year. I frequently check email and voicemail and will respond as promptly as possible
Thank you for your support. I look forward to meeting you and working with you and your child to make this a marvelous school year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Elyse Marsh
Classroom Expectations
1. Be responsible for your learning.
a. Have all materials for class.
b. Keep your materials organized.
c. Complete work and turn it in on time.
d. Pay attention.
e. Ask questions.
2. Respect your teacher and classmates.
3. Cooperate with your teacher and classmates.
In order for students to have a successful year of learning, it is important that they are responsible, respectful, and cooperative. If a student chooses to interfere with the learning of others, there will be consequences for their actions.
This year I am implementing a gamification system in the classroom. Students will earn points to "level up." Each level will unlock new privileges and status in the classroom. I will keep track of points earned using class dojo.
The staff at Carrie Downie likes to reward and encourage students to make good choices about their behavior. Each month those students will attend an ABC Assembly. This assembly is a high interest enrichment assembly. If a student has three letters, bus referrals and/or phone calls home about his/her behavior during one marking period, he/she will not able to attend the assembly for that marking period. Students also have the opportunity for rewards if they are responsible, respectful, and cooperative.
Supplies
Carrie Downie Elementary School provides all supplies necessary to be successful in the classroom. If your child would like their own supplies they may certainly bring them in to school.
Occasionally I will ask for your help in providing additional supplies for classroom projects.
Folders
Students have been provided with four folders to begin the school year. If the folders are lost or damaged please provide them with new folders. It is important that student’s learn organization skills in order to ease their transition to middle school.
Teamwork
Your child will sit with a team of 4-6 students that will change monthly. Hopefully this team experience will encourage students to work together toward a common goal. The team will earn points for working together, bringing in supplies, and meeting many other goals. The team with the most points at the end of the month will earn a “special reward.”
Homework
Students will have homework nightly. Please help your child find a quiet place to complete homework. Homework will be checked for completeness and accuracy.
Agenda Books
Agenda books are an important part of the home/school connection. Please take the time to review your child’s book daily. I will indicate in the book when homework assignments are not completed. I will contact you if a pattern develops. I will check homework books daily for the first month of school. After that I will only sign books if an arrangement is made. Agenda books may also be used as a means of communication. Please feel free to write a note to me in the agenda book. Your child should be told to show the note to me in the morning. I may also use the agenda books to communicate with you, please check this book daily.
Friday Reports/Monday Folders
Every Friday students will bring home a report that indicates their behavior, homework completion, and class work. It will indicate any missing assignments. Monday Folders will be sent home approximately every other Monday. In the Monday folder you will find graded assignments and tests from the previous weeks. This work will be stapled together. Please return the entire packet to school on Tuesday. Please sign the slip attached to the packet indicating you have viewed the packet.
Please sign the Friday Report and return to school on Monday.
Absences
Students will be given their work missed when returning from an excused absence. In order for an absence to be considered excused children are required to bring in a note stating the reason for the absence. These notes are turned over to the school nurse. Suspension is considered an excused absence. Student’s who miss class due to band or chorus should make up work by the next day.
Portfolios
I will keep certain work samples in each student’s Portfolio during the year as required by the Colonial School District. These Portfolios are available for your review at any time during the year, especially during conferences. The purpose of the Portfolio is to show the student’s academic growth through their school career.
Reading Log
Each child will be given a reading log to keep in their homework folder monthly. Please help your child to set a goal for reading that is personally attainable. Fifth graders should be reading for at least 20-30 minutes most nights each week. The reading log is due the last school day each month.
Technology in the Classroom
Students in room 103 will be using technology on a daily basis. Examples include Elmo, Fast Math, Office Software, Education City, Smartboard …and more!!!!
Students will occasionally have projects requiring internet access and other recourses. Students are always welcome to use the computers in the classroom if they are unable to access what is necessary outside of our classroom as long as they let me know in advance.
BYOD
BYOD stands for bring your own device. Students may bring their own device to school provided they have a completed contract on file. Students will use their devices for educational purposes. They are not bringing in devices to entertain themselves when they complete work. There may be times when they may use their devices for these purposes as a reward. If you choose to allow your child to bring a device to school they will be locked up when we leave the classroom.
Keeping the lines of communication Open….
During the school day my full attention is directed toward the learning environment in our classroom.
To reach me at school please use one of the following:
Phone: Carrie Downie Elementary 323-2926 ext. 1030
Email: [email protected]
Additional updates and information will be sent home in homework folders and updates can be found on our classroom website:
Mrsmarshsroom.weebly.com
Please feel free to write and note in your child’s agenda book at any time and I will happily respond.
Curriculum Notes
Reading/Language Arts
Please see the Parent Roadmap handout as we have changed the format of our reading/language arts curriculum. We are implementing Common core standards in reading/language arts. In order to do this we will be using some of the stories in our storytown series, but must of our instruction will come from novels and articles that our relevant to students’ lives. We are very excited about the chance to use some new materials and have planned amazing lessons!
Students will have writing instruction everyday. They will learn to write narrative, informative and persuasive writing pieces. We will be using the 6+1 traits of writing.
Math
Our math curriculum uses the TERC Investigations in Numbers, Data, and Space series. Students will work in small groups during math workshop and work with partners to practice their skills in addition to whole group and small group instruction.
Other math topics for this year include the relationship between factions, decimals, and percents. Students will also learn about probability, geometry, measurement, statistics and algebra.
It is important that students know the times tables and division tables in order to be successful this year. Students needing assistance will have time to practice in class (Fast Math, Hot Shot Test) and should work on their facts at home (flash cards, repetition).
Key focus points for each math unit will be outlined on our Learning Focus Map!
Social Studies and Science
Social Studies and Science are rotated over the course of a marking period. Students will have Social studies for approximately four weeks and science for approximately the same amount of time each grading period.
In Social Studies we will be studying United States History, which will include civics, geography, and economics. Our journey begins at the beginning of Civil War times. In Science students will participate in activities and experiments in small groups, while learning about ecosystems, mixtures and solutions, and motion and design.
Both Science and Social Studies integrate other subjects on a daily basis.
1. Be responsible for your learning.
a. Have all materials for class.
b. Keep your materials organized.
c. Complete work and turn it in on time.
d. Pay attention.
e. Ask questions.
2. Respect your teacher and classmates.
3. Cooperate with your teacher and classmates.
In order for students to have a successful year of learning, it is important that they are responsible, respectful, and cooperative. If a student chooses to interfere with the learning of others, there will be consequences for their actions.
This year I am implementing a gamification system in the classroom. Students will earn points to "level up." Each level will unlock new privileges and status in the classroom. I will keep track of points earned using class dojo.
The staff at Carrie Downie likes to reward and encourage students to make good choices about their behavior. Each month those students will attend an ABC Assembly. This assembly is a high interest enrichment assembly. If a student has three letters, bus referrals and/or phone calls home about his/her behavior during one marking period, he/she will not able to attend the assembly for that marking period. Students also have the opportunity for rewards if they are responsible, respectful, and cooperative.
Supplies
Carrie Downie Elementary School provides all supplies necessary to be successful in the classroom. If your child would like their own supplies they may certainly bring them in to school.
Occasionally I will ask for your help in providing additional supplies for classroom projects.
Folders
Students have been provided with four folders to begin the school year. If the folders are lost or damaged please provide them with new folders. It is important that student’s learn organization skills in order to ease their transition to middle school.
Teamwork
Your child will sit with a team of 4-6 students that will change monthly. Hopefully this team experience will encourage students to work together toward a common goal. The team will earn points for working together, bringing in supplies, and meeting many other goals. The team with the most points at the end of the month will earn a “special reward.”
Homework
Students will have homework nightly. Please help your child find a quiet place to complete homework. Homework will be checked for completeness and accuracy.
Agenda Books
Agenda books are an important part of the home/school connection. Please take the time to review your child’s book daily. I will indicate in the book when homework assignments are not completed. I will contact you if a pattern develops. I will check homework books daily for the first month of school. After that I will only sign books if an arrangement is made. Agenda books may also be used as a means of communication. Please feel free to write a note to me in the agenda book. Your child should be told to show the note to me in the morning. I may also use the agenda books to communicate with you, please check this book daily.
Friday Reports/Monday Folders
Every Friday students will bring home a report that indicates their behavior, homework completion, and class work. It will indicate any missing assignments. Monday Folders will be sent home approximately every other Monday. In the Monday folder you will find graded assignments and tests from the previous weeks. This work will be stapled together. Please return the entire packet to school on Tuesday. Please sign the slip attached to the packet indicating you have viewed the packet.
Please sign the Friday Report and return to school on Monday.
Absences
Students will be given their work missed when returning from an excused absence. In order for an absence to be considered excused children are required to bring in a note stating the reason for the absence. These notes are turned over to the school nurse. Suspension is considered an excused absence. Student’s who miss class due to band or chorus should make up work by the next day.
Portfolios
I will keep certain work samples in each student’s Portfolio during the year as required by the Colonial School District. These Portfolios are available for your review at any time during the year, especially during conferences. The purpose of the Portfolio is to show the student’s academic growth through their school career.
Reading Log
Each child will be given a reading log to keep in their homework folder monthly. Please help your child to set a goal for reading that is personally attainable. Fifth graders should be reading for at least 20-30 minutes most nights each week. The reading log is due the last school day each month.
Technology in the Classroom
Students in room 103 will be using technology on a daily basis. Examples include Elmo, Fast Math, Office Software, Education City, Smartboard …and more!!!!
Students will occasionally have projects requiring internet access and other recourses. Students are always welcome to use the computers in the classroom if they are unable to access what is necessary outside of our classroom as long as they let me know in advance.
BYOD
BYOD stands for bring your own device. Students may bring their own device to school provided they have a completed contract on file. Students will use their devices for educational purposes. They are not bringing in devices to entertain themselves when they complete work. There may be times when they may use their devices for these purposes as a reward. If you choose to allow your child to bring a device to school they will be locked up when we leave the classroom.
Keeping the lines of communication Open….
During the school day my full attention is directed toward the learning environment in our classroom.
To reach me at school please use one of the following:
Phone: Carrie Downie Elementary 323-2926 ext. 1030
Email: [email protected]
Additional updates and information will be sent home in homework folders and updates can be found on our classroom website:
Mrsmarshsroom.weebly.com
Please feel free to write and note in your child’s agenda book at any time and I will happily respond.
Curriculum Notes
Reading/Language Arts
Please see the Parent Roadmap handout as we have changed the format of our reading/language arts curriculum. We are implementing Common core standards in reading/language arts. In order to do this we will be using some of the stories in our storytown series, but must of our instruction will come from novels and articles that our relevant to students’ lives. We are very excited about the chance to use some new materials and have planned amazing lessons!
Students will have writing instruction everyday. They will learn to write narrative, informative and persuasive writing pieces. We will be using the 6+1 traits of writing.
Math
Our math curriculum uses the TERC Investigations in Numbers, Data, and Space series. Students will work in small groups during math workshop and work with partners to practice their skills in addition to whole group and small group instruction.
Other math topics for this year include the relationship between factions, decimals, and percents. Students will also learn about probability, geometry, measurement, statistics and algebra.
It is important that students know the times tables and division tables in order to be successful this year. Students needing assistance will have time to practice in class (Fast Math, Hot Shot Test) and should work on their facts at home (flash cards, repetition).
Key focus points for each math unit will be outlined on our Learning Focus Map!
Social Studies and Science
Social Studies and Science are rotated over the course of a marking period. Students will have Social studies for approximately four weeks and science for approximately the same amount of time each grading period.
In Social Studies we will be studying United States History, which will include civics, geography, and economics. Our journey begins at the beginning of Civil War times. In Science students will participate in activities and experiments in small groups, while learning about ecosystems, mixtures and solutions, and motion and design.
Both Science and Social Studies integrate other subjects on a daily basis.