5 th Grade Language Arts 2015 -2016 Room

5 th Grade Language Arts 2015 -2016 Room C 117 Mrs. Julie Fitzgerald Voyager Team jfitzgerald@umasd. org 610 -205 -8894

Julie Fitzgerald – – – – 36 years old 16 th year teaching 5 th grade LA Upper Darby High School ‘ 96 West Chester University ‘ 00 Villanova University ‘ 08 Reside in Sanatoga The Fitzgeralds • Chuck, Caitlin, & Ryan (what!? !? !)

What does language arts look like in the 5 th grade? • • • Reading Writing Grammar Spelling Vocabulary Book Clubs Handwriting Drama Poetry 25 Book Challenge

Frequently Asked Questions • Will you help with organization? • Do you practice handwriting? • What are your expectations for writing? • How will you differentiate (up or down)? • When do I step in? • Homework!? !? ! • Projects? !? ! • HELP!? !? !

What materials will I see come home? • Books – Whole team novels (1 st 2 nd 3 rd MP) – Self-selected texts for reading – Book club novel (unfinished reading in class) • Ipad – Assignments on Spelling City & Schoology – Online texts • Loose Papers or Packets (RED FOLDER) – – – Unfinished class assignments Homework packet PSSA practice packet Reading Log Book Report packet (2 nd & 4 th MP) Returned tests/quizzes • LA Notebook

Homework Wonders Homework Packet • One page of spelling and one page of grammar practice – 5 -10 minutes • Study spelling and vocabulary words – 5 -10 minutes PSSA Practice Packet • One section (2 -3 texts with 10 questions and an essay) – 20 minutes a night for 4 days Read on-level books • 25 minutes a night *Check my website for extra copies • Online practice games and texts • Vocabulary & Spelling City website • Connect. Ed Wonders website • Weekly Parent Newsletter has additional learning activities

Book Reports *One book report due at the end of each quarter* • 2 at home and 2 in school –School Book Reports 1 st & 3 rd MP • Character Study • i. Movie Book Trailer • Spoiler Alert Puzzle –Home Book Reports 2 nd & 4 th MP • Boom Box book report (poster paper) • Cereal box book report (empty cereal box)

Novels • Books • 25 Book Challenge • Encourage your child to read 4 -6 books a quarter • Log online and on paper • 1 st MP • In-class author Study: Mary Downing Hahn • At home: Night of the Twisters or Quake • 2 nd MP • In-class book clubs: Mystery novels • At home: From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler or The Thief Lord • 3 rd MP • In-class book clubs: Historical Fiction • At home: The Whipping Boy • Scholastic Book Orders

What materials do you use in class that I won’t necessarily see? • • • Reader’s Writer’s Workshop text Anthology text Leveled Readers Book Club novels Handwriting practice packet Your turn workbook Drama book Audio books Writing portfolio Book Club Activity Folder Weekly Reading Tests Unit Tests

Grading Policy • Grade calculations are based on the following: – Major Assessments - 50% • End of the Week Reading Tests • Formal Writing Assignments • Book Reports • End of the Unit Grammar Tests • End of the Unit Reading Tests • End of the Book Novel Test – Quizzes– 35% • Mini-reading skills • Spelling • Vocabulary • Grammar • Guided Writing Assignments – Informal Assignments– 15% • Homework • Class preparation • Book Club activities

Grammar, Spelling, Handwriting… o. Grammar & spelling o Weekly instruction and assessments o Homework assignments o Some grammar quizzes will be taken on Schoology o Online pre and post tests for spelling & vocabulary o Word Wizards o Pretest 100 s o. Handwriting practice in class o Pen club challenge once each quarter

Wonders Reading Program • Designed specifically for the Common Core State Standards for Reading/Language Arts. • The program provides: – – – Building a strong reading foundation Accessing complex text Finding and using text evidence Engaging in collaborative conversations Writing to sources • Lots and lots of writing!!!

Wonders Reading Program • Reading/Writing Workshop – Common Core Lessons – Short reads to teach/model close reading – Guided collaborative practice of key skills – Connects reading and writing • Literature Anthology – Provides application of close reading – Builds reading stamina (longer) • Leveled Readers – Differentiate to Accelerate & Remediate – Includes fiction and nonfiction

Writing • Types of Writing: – – Narrative Informative Persuasive/Opinion Text Dependent Essays • Domains of Writing (Traits): – – – Focus Content Organization Style Conventions • A Writer’s Language – – – Hooks Bangs Transitions Dead Words Vanilla & Chocolate Words

Writing • How often do we write? – Everyday and in every class • What is the expectation? – Complete sentences – Organized paragraphs with clear introductions and conclusions – Essays are a minimum of 3 paragraphs • * Text Dependent Essays maybe one long paragraph depending on the question* • What gets graded? – Minimum of two writing pieces a marking period • 1 guided in class & 1 unit assessment – Most of the end of the week reading quizzes include text dependent essays

How Can You Help? • Check agenda book and homework nightly. • Encourage your child to read. Make time for reading in your home. • Stay positive about learning. • Help your child with time management for project completion. • Help your child stay organized. Clean out folders and book bag on a daily basis. • Make sure that your child has several sharpened pencils everyday for school. • Talk to me when you need to. Reach out in an email or a phone call. You are the most important adult in your child’s life. I am here for you too.