A note about report cards

Report cards will be coming home on Monday, November 16th and some students have earned 1s and 2s.  Many students are working towards meeting the standards; however, some students are not yet showing their best effort to complete the grade level work.

That being said, for most students the 1s and 2s simply show that they haven't quite mastered the 5th grade skills.  All they need is some additional time, instruction, and initiative to get there.  Below are some suggestions for students and parents:

How students can improve their performance:

don't rush through the work

use study guides to prepare for assessments 

(studying should take place each night, not just on the day before the test)

come to class prepared to learn

be responsible for your personal materials

stay focused during class

follow directions

check the blogs to make sure you didn't miss anything in class

How parents can help their child:

check the blogs to stay updated about upcoming assignments and tests

hold students accountable for their own work

limit video games and tv until after homework and reading is done

The bottom line is that it is up to each student to invest what's necessary in his or her own academic performance... they are the ones who are trying to complete fifth grade!  

Lastly, if you have tried the suggestions above, and your child is still struggling after a few weeks, please contact Ms. McFaddin or me to schedule a conference.

Thursday, November 5th

If you have not reviewed your child's writing and signed the reflection form, 

please do so tonight.

This term we are focusing on opinion writing and students reviewed its essential components.  Moving forward, students will practice writing evidence-based arguments.

Yesterday, we continued reading Gathering Blue and students discussed similarities and differences between the main characters, Jonas and Kira.

During social studies we continued learning about Reconstruction and the reintroduction of discriminatory laws in the South after the Civil War.  We read a passage about Jim Crow and began taking Cornell notes.  Some students will be bringing the organizer home so they can finish their notes and organizer.  The text is attached on Edmodo and students should have their login information.

Reconstruction Notes

(the texts we used to take these notes are attached in Edmodo)

African Americans and Education after the Civil War

 Jim Crow

Parent Survey!

Please participate in F.AVE's survey by using the following link:

  http://apps.gadoe.org/schoolclimate/parents.nsf/Survey.xsp 

The Georgia Student Health Survey 2.0 is an anonymous, statewide survey instrument developed by many divisions within the GaDOE including the Assessment and Accountability Division and in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health and Georgia State University.  GSHS 2.0 data results are used to develop a School Climate Star Rating which is used as a diagnostic tool within the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) to determine if a school is on the right path to school improvement.  

Based upon student, parent and staff responses, along with other data,  we will be assigned a star rating from 1-5.  The School Climate Star Rating is calculated using data from the Georgia Student Health Survey 2.0, Georgia School Personnel Survey, Georgia Parent Survey, student discipline data and attendance records for students, teachers, staff and administrators.  The School Climate Star Rating provides school-level data on the following components: 

1) School Climate – a measure of student, teacher, and parent perceptions of a school’s climate and the congruency between the three; 

2) Student Discipline – a look into disciplinary practices and utilization of the research-based practices promoting positive interventions; 

3) Safe and Substance-Free Learning Environment – student responses on use of illegal substances and the prevalence of violence, bullying, and unsafe incidents within a school; and 

4) Attendance – the average daily attendance of students, teachers, administrators, and staff members.  

Each of the components will be given equal value.

Your students will participate in a similar survey at school. The GSHS 2.0 for elementary students includes school safety and school climate questions only. Please notify your homeroom teacher if you do not want your child to participate in the survey. 

Monday, November 2nd

Today students completed a writing reflection.  They looked at several exit tickets and their Sojourner Truth short response.  They will be bringing their reflections home for you to review and sign.  They are due on Thursday.

During social studies students completed a sharecropping simulation.  After the activity, we discussed  the sharecropping cycle of poverty and students began working on answering the question, "What are the similarities and differences between slavery and sharecropping."

Homework/Papers to Sign - all due on Thursday
1.  Math
2.  Reconstruction Review
3.  Signed Writing Reflection
4.  Signed Conference Form (select students only)
5.  Read for 20-30 minutes daily
6.  Study for the Reconstruction Test

Friday, October 30th

Students had class time to complete and submit their Civil War essays.  Some didn't finish; however, I will accept late papers.  I will need them by the end of the day on Wednesday so I can grade them for the upcoming report cards.  

We read a few more pages in Gathering Blue and students worked on comparing and contrasting character text details.  Yesterday we reviewed literature elements and worked on a Venn diagram that identified the immediate differences and similarities of the Gathering Blue and The Giver.

I passed out next week's homework and went over the directions with the students.  The reading provides the basic information about Reconstruction and next week we will complete some related readings and activities.  The Reconstruction test will be next Thursday and students can begin studying with quizlet.  Lastly, I've attached some supplemental resources below for students who are interested in learning more about this time in history.

Reconstruction Resources

America's Library:  Reconstruction (Library of Congress)

Rise and Fall of Jim Crow

Library of Congress:  Reconstruction and its Aftermath

America's Reconstruction (University of Houston Digital Library)

Tuesday, October 27th

Students continued working on their Civil War informational papers, and many of them are ready to start drafting tomorrow.  I didn't give separate ELA or social studies homework this week, because I expect for students to work on their papers at home, as necessary.  The final draft is due on Friday.

We also finished reading and analyzing the Gettysburg Address.  Students worked in groups to discuss what they thought President Lincoln's main idea and supporting details were.  Thankfully, students are moving past simply sharing assumptions and getting better at having text-based conversations.  The notes from both flex group are below.

Yesterday's field-trip to the Atlanta History Center was fun AND educational!

Friday, October 23rd

We had our library time today and students continued working on their informational papers.  Also, I let students know what the short answer question would be on the Civil War assessment.  Students looked over their notes and brainstormed facts that could be included within their answers.

Atlanta History Field Trip
We are going to the Atlanta History Center on Monday.  Before the end of school, students received a reminder if they need to bring a lunch on Monday.

OPTIONAL Weekend Homework
Some students chose work on their research, notes, and outlines for their Civil War papers over the weekend.  Also, many students will use their study guides and the quizlet to prepare for the upcoming Civil War assessment.