Classroom Information

ELA (ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS)

         Our program that we will be utilizing is called CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) and aligns with the science of reading. CKLA has its foundations in a research-based sequence that identifies the content knowledge and skills essential to the development of literacy. This approach closes the gaps in prior knowledge and vocabulary by intertwining the teaching of foundational skills and background knowledge, building both cohesively and cumulatively.

The CKLA approach to building background knowledge is based on three pillars: content specific, supporting the development of knowledge in history, science, literature, culture, and the arts; cumulative, topics and vocabulary connect within and across grades, allowing students to extend knowledge and revisit topics in increasing depth; coherent, intentional design ensures the curriculum fits together as a whole. CKLA introduces a wide range of content, including themes and topics which will be engaging and thought provoking. In fifth grade, some of our units include personal narratives, early American civilizations, poetry, The Adventures of Don Quixote, the Renaissance, and much more.

SOCIAL STUDIES

The program we will be using is called Social Studies Alive. Fourth grade used this program last year as well. Some of the topics we will cover over the course of the year are geography skills, American Indian cultural regions, how and why Europeans came to the New World, comparing the colonies, and the slave trade. Students will learn about these topics through reading discussions, interactive notebook activities, interactive reading challenge games, and classroom projects.

ASSIGNMENTS

To stay up to date on your child’s assignments and progress, please regularly check their take home folder for completed and graded classwork, study guides, and assessments. You can also access their Google Classroom for information. Additionally, teacher lesson plans for what is completed each day can be found on the "25-26 Lesson Plans" tab on this site on the district homepage. Finally, student grades are updated frequently and can be accessed through parent accounts on the Power School portal.

INCOMPLETE WORK

If a student has work to make up due to incomplete class assignments/assessments or absence/illness, they will be responsible to make up that work at home or during recess in the Catch Up room with a teacher.

TECHNOLOGY

Students will be assigned and given their own chrome book and charger this year. However, the district has decided that students will NOT be taking these devices home. It is the expectation that students are plugging in and charging their chrome book in our class device cart each afternoon and acting responsibly for its care and condition throughout the school day. Each student will continue to have access to their Google account. Google Classroom will be occasionally utilized for assignments; however, with our CKLA (ELA) curriculum, most assignments/classwork will be completed on paper or in student activity books. 

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS

         I will be sending book order forms home monthly. If you would like to order any books, please return it in an envelope with the student’s name and include the order form with a CHECK made to “Scholastic Reading Clubs” in the envelope. No cash orders, please. You may also order online. Our classroom code is NBH8Y. Students will be given one week to return their orders.

PBIS

PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Support. Our school district has adopted using PBIS as a way for teachers and staff to reinforce the behavior of students who are following our school expectations and provide support in a positive manner to the students who may need extra assistance in following school rules and expectations. Students who follow our school expectations may be rewarded with Rambler Bucks that can be used for various incentives and rewards. Our school expectations are summed up in the following saying: 

WE ARE RAMBLERS! 

We are safe.

 We are responsible.

 We are respectful.

 We care.