Pecan Grove Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Sissel

Welcome to 5th GradeI am excited about a wonderful school year. Your child will

be learning many different skills this year in sixth grade. We will be doing many different learning units, working with computers, and talking about the current events of our world!

I am looking forward to working with all the parents so we can make this a fun and educational year for your children. Parent involvement is very important to the success of the students in this classroom.

About the Teacher• Born and raised in Michigan• Graduated from Lake Superior State

University in 2001 with a degree in Social Sciences.

• Graduated from University of Phoenix in 2003 with a Masters of Education degree.

• 2 years substitute-teaching experience in Alaska.

• Moved to Yuma in July 2004

S.T.A.R. BindersThis year I will be using S.T.A.R. Binders.  S.T.A.R. stands for Students Taking Awesome Responsibility. On the following slides you will find a description of each section in the S.T.A.R. Binder. Please read this section carefully as we will be using the S.T.A.R. Binder all year long.

S.T.A.R. BindersInside Front Pocket:

In this pocket you will find notes from school and our weekly newsletter. All papers in this pocket need to be removed every night. If there are any forms, such as field trip forms, which need to be returned, please sign and place back inside this pocket.

Zipper Pocket:This is where book order and/or field trip money needs to be placed.  

S.T.A.R. BindersSheet Protector:This will contain each week’s spelling and vocabulary list. 

Homework Folder:This folder will contain your child’s homework for each night. After your child completes his/her homework, please be sure that he/she places it back into his/her homework folder. This should be the child’s responsibility, not yours! 

S.T.A.R. Binders

Take Home Folder:This folder will contain your child’s completed work. Completed work will be sent home every Monday. Please remove the completed work each Monday night. 

S.T.A.R. Binders

Communication Log: This section will be used for notes between parent and teacher. The students should not write in this section. I will write notes in this section and look for communications from parents.

Classroom Rules• Listen Carefully• Follow Directions• Work Quietly – Do not

disturb others who are working

• Respect others – Be kind with your words and actions

• Respect school property• Work and play safely

• Only 1 person talking at a time

• Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself

• Sit in your assigned seat

• Use a 6-inch voice when in group work

Character CountsPecan Grove Elementary participates in a program entitled “Character Counts.” This program is designed to teach character traits that will help the students interact with other students and community members. Mrs. Garcia, the school counselor will be talking with the students once a month about one of the ten “Character Counts” themes.

Textbooks Used• Reading: Harcourt Trophies• Language: Harcourt Trophies• Spelling: Harcourt Trophies• Math: Harcourt• Social Studies: none• Science: none

Reading

• 6 reading themes– 5 stories per unit

• Weekly Vocabulary • Weekly Reading

Comprehension Tests• Accelerated Reader

• Book-it Clubs• Battle of the Books

Writing• 6 Traits of Writing

– Ideas and content– Organization– Voice– Word Choice– Sentence Fluency– Conventions

• Writing Folders– Quick Writes– Daily Writing– Published writing

(bulletin boards, student made books, etc.)

– Editors Checklist– Proofreading with

editing marks

Spelling• Test on Wednesdays • Sentence Dictation Form• Review list at end of

reading units• Activities:

– Word finds– Unscramble – Sentences– ABC Order– Making Words– Word Wall Activities– Around the World

Math• Homework will be given each day Monday through Thursday• Students NEED to study their math facts nightly

– Students need to know their math facts by memory in order to help them with the higher math skills at this level

– Students will be doing math facts daily in class and will have a timed skill check every day

– NOTE: Flashcards can be purchased at Wal-Mart, the Dollar Store, etc. and/or flashcards can be made with index cards

• Math Assessments for academic standards will be given every quarter• Example of different skills learned in 5th grade

– x– x– Measurement– Fractions, Ratios, Percents and Decimals– Graphs and Spreadsheets

Social Studies• Maps and Geography• US History

– Indigenous Peoples– Colonization– Revolutionary War– Beginning Expansion– Industrial Revolution– Civil War– Ocean to Ocean– Immigration– Boom to Bust– World War 1– World War 2

Science• Science and Social Studies will be taught in

alternating units throughout the school year• Physical Science

– Matter– Force– Motion

• Earth Science– Earth & Moon– Solar System

• Life Science– Cells, Organs– Body Systems

Technology• Computer Station

– Learning games– Internet based

assessments – Accelerated Reader

• Listening Center– Books on tape

• TV/VCR– Educational videos

that tie into units

Assessments• Traditional Assessments

– vocabulary tests– reading comprehension tests– spelling tests– math assessments– math fact tests

• Non-traditional Assessments– projects– presentations– Writing– Accelerated Reader– learning games

Grading Scale• 100%-97% A+• 96%-94% A• 93%-90% A-• 89%-87% B+• 86%-84% B• 83%-80% B-• 79%-77% C+• 76%-74% C• 73%-70% C-• 69%-67% D+• 66%-64% D• 63%-60% D-• 59%-0% F

Five Star FamilyTo become a Five Star Family, parents need

to attend or be involved in at least five activities in our school. Families that become a Five Star Family will attend the end of year school carnival. Students will also receive a Five Star Family t-shirt. The next slide lists many different ways that your family can become a Five Star Family!

Parent Involvement

• Open House attendance• Class Party Sponsor• Attend Parent/Teacher Conferences• Volunteering in classroom• Donating school supplies to classroom• Attend Student of the month award ceremony• Attend Parent Tea• Attend PTO Meetings (1st Thursday of every month)

Contact Information

E-mail: tsissel@yumaed.org

Pecan Grove Elementary School600 S 21st AvenueYuma, AZ 85364

782-4351 ext. 8113

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