Welcome!

5th Grade is an exciting school year full of transitions, challenges, and marks the end of elementary school for your child.  I encourage you to read over my classroom procedures thoroughly below and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.  

Your Role 

I'm a firm believer that an education consists of a team (the school, teachers, staff, admin, parents, and students).  You are a vital part of your child's education and success in and outside of the classroom as you are their first teacher.  I encourage my parents to be as engaged and involved  in our classroom and your child's education as possible.  

Here are some tips to help support your child this school year:

1. Make sure your child is getting a good night's sleep (9-11 hours).

2. Teach and encourage your child to take responsibility for their assignments, choices, and behavior.  

3. Keep in communication with me about assignments and expectations.

4. Be positive about school and learning.

5. Make time for family and relaxation.

6. Be aware of your child's online activities.  

I look forward to collaborating together throughout the school year to help your child succeed in all areas!

Bell Schedule

School starts on August 3, 2023.  Our bell schedule has changed to 8:05 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.  Students may begin arriving as early as 7:45 a.m., unless they are enrolled in the before school program.  Attendance is crucial to the success of your child and their education.  Research shows that students perform better and are more likely to succeed when they show up.  Lack of attendance can create learning gaps in your child's education.  Please try your best to have your child present and on time for school.  If your child is ill or does need to miss school, you do need to call the attendance line at (505) 253-0200 OR report the absence in ParentVUE.  If your child is ill, please do not send them to school.  I will keep assignments missed for them in class so that they can make them up. 

Learning Goals

In 5th Grade Literacy, we will be participating in a variety of novel studies, observing similarities and differences between texts, using inferencing skills to identify what the author's message is, using vocabulary skills to help understand texts, understanding the author's intent when using figurative language, use text evidence to support their ideas in making an inference, understanding the structure of poetry, reading and analyzing informational texts, summarizing, sequencing, identifying cause and effect and problems and solutions in fiction and nonfiction texts.  In 5th Grade Writing, we will be writing opinion pieces with evidence to support the claim, informative pieces using evidence that is researched, and producing a narrative story that includes dialogue and sensory details.  In 5th Grad Math, we will be learning about place value (decimals), multiplying/dividing multi-digit numbers, adding/subtracting/multiplying/ dividing fractions and mixed numbers, order of operations, volume, line plots, and identifying and categorizing 2D shapes.  In 5th Grade Science, we will be learning about life science (ecosystems, food web), physical science (matter, energy, and the periodic table), and earth/space science (the water cycle, gravity, and stars).  In 5th Grade Social Studies, we will be focusing on Native American studies, New Mexico, regions, inspirational women, Black history, maps, and historical figures.  For more information about what your child is expected to learn in 5th Grade, please visit corestandards.org and nextgenscience.org.  

Classroom Expectations

All students are expected to demonstrate Magma HEAT behavior every day!  Magma HEAT stands for:

H - Helpful & Positive Attitude - I try things even if they seem difficult at first.  I ask for help when I need it.  I don't give up when things get difficult.  I help others.  I have a positive attitude about school, learning, and others.

E - Equality - I treat everyone the way I want to be treated.  I listen and follow directions.  I include everyone.

A - Accountability - I am prepared.  I participate and put forth my best effort.  I take responsibility for my learning, assignments, choices, and behavior.

T - Teamwork - I work cooperatively with others.  I am dependable and do my part.  

Rules & Consequences

Our classroom rules are as follows:

1. Listen and follow directions.

2. Use hand signals. (Includes raising hand to speak, bathroom signal, water signal, etc.)

3. Stay on task.

4. Keep control of your body by keeping your hands and feet to yourself.

5. Respect your classmates, school, and teachers.

At this time in your child's education, they should be able to and willing to follow these simple rules  & HEAT expectations in our classroom and at school.  My classroom management system allows me to teach, and redirect with set consequences in the event that a student is struggling with behavior in the classroom.  If a student breaks a rule, the following is the hierarchy for consequences they will receive:

1. Redirect (This is their 1st warning and is a verbal redirection.)

2. Sideline (This is a timeout & reflection.)

3. Think Time (Loss of privileges & reflection).

4. Parent & Principal Contact. (The letter home will be for parents to sign and return the next day.)

AVID/Magma Binder

Tres Volcanes uses a AVID/Magma Binder. Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an in-school academic support program that helps students prepare for college and career readiness, eligibility and success.  Part of AVID is to teach students organizational skills that they can apply throughout their education and to their lives.  Your child will be required to bring their AVID/Magma Binder to and from school every day.  In the AVID/Magma Binder, you will see the following:

1. Agenda - The agenda will be used for students to write down any important notes or reminders for the week, as well as for homework purposes.  Please check and sign the homework every day! This is a school expectation.

2. Leave at Home Folder - These papers will be returned to home, and can stay at home.  They will be newsletters, student work, flyers, etc.  Please check daily and remove any papers that can be kept at home.

3. Back to School Folder - These will be papers that need to be returned to school.  They includes permission slips, picture forms, etc.  Please check this daily.

4. Data - Throughout the year, students will keep track of their academic progress and behavior.  You can see this information in the binder behind the data divider.

5. Zipper Pouch - The zipper pouch will be used to put any money for field trips, picture orders, etc. as well as any supplies that the students need to take to and from school/home.  

Additionally, we do focus a lot in 5th Grade on note taking and other strategies to prepare students for middle school.  This provides listening and comprehension skills while also teaching students how to retain the most important information when reading a text.

Homework

Students will have nightly homework as follows:

1. Daily Reflection Sheet - When we pack to go home each day, students will fill out their daily reflection sheet.  They will make how they think their effort was for the day and I will mark what I think their effort was for the day.  Students will also write 1 thing that they learned from their day.  I will sign the daily reflection each day and your child is required to get your signature on their daily reflection each day for credit towards homework.

2. Nightly 20 Minutes of Reading - Students are required to write their homework in their agenda and also document their daily 20 minutes of reading  at home.  They must write in their agenda the book they read and the time they read for.  Parents must initial the agenda as well to get full completion points for their homework that night.

If students complete all three of these items, they will then get a stamp on their monthly calendar showing that they got a 100% for their homework that day.  If the student did not do reading, I will write on the monthly calendar for that day the code R.  If the student did not get a signature from their parent for that day, then I will mark SIG on their monthly calendar for that day.  If students do not complete their homework nightly, they will walk laps during recess.  I find that this helps hold students accountable for their work and helps develop responsibility and accountability.  

Homework should not take longer than 25 minutes per night to complete.

Students may also use a homework pass that they can earn from their Class Cash for bringing the HEAT that they may use in place of doing their homework that night.

Class Dojo

Class Dojo is an app that allows me to communicate with families, show families what we are doing in the classroom, keep track of important events, and track students behavior.  Any messages sent through Class Dojo goes straight to my personal phone and it is an app that is downloadable on your phone as well.  I find it is the easiest form of communication with families to keep you informed.  

All of my students' parents will need to sign up for a Class Dojo account.  You can sign up for free account by downloading the ClassDojo app or visiting classdojo.com and entering the class code which I will provide once I have added all the families to my classroom on ClassDojo.  Once you have created an account and you are added to my classroom, you will be able to track your child's behavior, view our class stories, and message me directly.  For more information, please visit classdojo.com.

Class Cash

Students will earn Class Dojo points for showing exceptional HEAT and positive behavior throughout the week.  On Friday, if students have 10 or more ClassDojo points, students will be able to cash out their points for "Class Cash."  Students can then use their cash to purchase coupons from our Coupon Catalog or purchase something from our Class Store.  Students may decide whether they want to purchase a coupon, or if they want to continue saving their Class Cash for an even better coupon or item from the Class Store.  All Dojo points will reset on Monday morning.  This provides students with a fresh start and they are able to work towards those 10+ points each week!  

Cell Phones

Students are allowed to have their cell phones at school for emergency purposes only.  Cell phones must be silence or turned off, and remain in the students' backpacks during the school day.  Students are not allowed to check their phones during the instructional day, nor have them during class, recess or lunch.  If you need to contact your child, please contact me through ClassDojo or call the school first.  If a student has their phone during class, recess, or lunch, it will be confiscated and you will be contacted to collect it from Administration.  This is a strict no cell phone policy during school hours.  

Class Celebrations

Throughout the year, we will be celebrating various events, birthdays, etc.  You are welcome to send a pre-packaged snack for the class.  To accommodate allergies and COVID safe practices, please refrain from sending homemade snacks, or snacks that contain peanuts.  Please let me know at least a day in advance if you plan on sending anything so that I can plan accordingly.  Finally, if you do not want your child to participate in any celebration, please let me know so that I can make other arrangements for your child during that time.

Chromebooks

We are fortunate to have access to the latest technology.  Every 5th Grade student will be assigned a Chromebook for their academic use.  Please see the APS Acceptable Use of Technology for information about student expectations for using technology responsibly.  Chromebooks will be kept at school to ensure that they are charged nightly and not lost or damaged.

Grading Policy

Students grades are calculated on a points-based system.  Grades are a reflection of student engagement with and mastery of content standards and skills.  

A 90-100 D 69-60

B 89-80 F 59-55

C 79-70 (55=0 in ParentVUE)

Snacks

Good nutrition is an important part of learning.  Students may bring a healthy snack to eat during recess.  Healthy snacks include fruit, vegetables, nuts, cheese, etc.  Full-sized bags of chips or candy are NOT allowed.

Toys/Games

Toys, games, and other electronics are distractions and are not allowed at school.  If your child brings these items to school, I will confiscate them and they can get them back at the end of the school year.  To avoid these items being confiscated, please do not allow your child to bring them to school.  

Field Trips/Volunteers

Field trips are wonderful learning opportunities for students to take our learning outside of the classroom.  We will try to go on as many field trips as possible this year.  Please remember that field trips are privileges and students who have not brought the HEAT throgh positive behavior will not be allowed to attend.  Once a field trip has been paid for, refunds will not be given, so please discuss the importance of having positive behavior with your child.  If you are interested in chaperoning a field trip, you MUST have a current, APS issued background check on file.  You can do this at https://www.aps.edu/community/volunteer-with-aps.  Please try to get it done as soon as possible so that you can attend any of our field trips throughout the school year!

Water

Our brains are made up of about 75% water, so it is important to stay hydrated.  Students are REQUIRED to bring a RESUSABLE water bottle to school.  Please not not send your child to school with soda, sports drinks, juice, etc.  They will not be allowed to drink them in class.  Water bottles will be sent home on Fridays to be washed, and will return on Mondays.