VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - HELP! HELP! HELP! HELP!
There is always a need for classroom volunteers. If you have the time and
would like to feel more directly involved, please fill out the volunteer
opportunities form. I could especially use some help organizing all the many
returned forms next Monday. If you can assist, please let me know
immediately.
VOLUNTEER LIST NEEDS
Mrs. Africano's Room 51 Volunteers
Carnival Booth-
Health Week-
Yearbook-
Room Parents' Team
Costume Sprucing-
Scholastic Book Orders-
Carnival
Extra Hands-
Book Faire-
Filing-
Photographer for Class-
Clean-Up Mother Earth
Meet the Master Art Lab -
Crafts -
Technology/Librarian Assistant -
Typing Program Introduction Coordinator
Library Garden Maintenance
Literature Circle or Math Club- ANYONE W/ FORM 1
WELLNESS POLICY
Important points to remember about the wellness policy:
- Food cannot be used as a reward
- Three parties per year, no more.
- Parties must be after lunch.
- Only one non-healthy treat item at a party.
- No edible birthday treats, even at lunch time or recess.
- Curriculum items that include food do not constitute a party or a
violation of policy. Examples: gingerbread man in K, eating California in
4th, using a chocolate chip walnut cookie to demonstrate earth's strata. I
think these are limited to two. Let me know if I need to find out.
- Parents may send whatever they want for their own child to eat, but they
may not send treats for other children.
- We may have a lunch/breakfast event with students in our class as long
as it is healthy and it is not a reward for anything.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT OUTLINE
ABOUT MRS. AFRICANO:
- Grew up in Los Angeles
- Bachelor of Arts Degree: English, emphasis British Literature (UCLA,
University of Puerto Rico, Cal Berkeley,Mt. Diablo College, San Diego State,
Saddleback College, UC Irvine!)
- Teaching Credential (UCI 1978)
- Family of teachers
- 28th year teaching (high school, middle school and elementary)
- Lived in Puerto Rico, Holland and travelled to 43 countries
- Wanted to be a teacher very early
- Married 49 years: four children and seven grandchildren
HOMEWORK:
- Organization is #1
- Accountability and Responsibility
- Planners are used daily
- Homework folders (Friday folders)
- Please check homework and SIGN FOLDER
- AR books - library and AR tests
- No Late Homework
- Consequences (Parent Bulletins and No Credit)
- Grades are available online
ONLINE HOMEWORK:
- Study Island
- Typing Program
- Spelling City
- Haiku
Teacher website can provide extra information
SCHEDULE:
Demanding 5th grade curriculum
- P.E. with specialist and with Mrs. Anderson (two fifty minute
sessions per week)
- Science and Social Studies - HANDS ON
- Daily Planners
- Homework
- Large class size
- Depth and Complexity skills
LITERATURE:
- Indian in the Cupboard (Class has already completed this wonderful book.)
- Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
- Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone
- The Fighting Ground, Guns for General Washington, Johnny Tremain, and The Witch of Blackbird
Pond are provided but may not be marked.
- Literature Circles (a possibility)
WRITING:
-nonfictiona
-personal narrative
-fictional narrative
-persuasive
-research
MATH:
- Place Value, multiplication division (whole numbers and decimals),
fractions
(add, subtract, multiply, divide), algebra, measurement, graphs, data and
statistics, geometry, percents, and much more.
SOCIAL STUDIES
– United States
- Native American Cultures
- Exploration
- European Settlers
- Colonization
- Commerce and Taxation Hostilities
- The American Revolution
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Constitution
SCIENCE:
- Solar Systems
- Plant and Human Systems
- Water/Weather
- Physical Science
- Field Study in May -Trabuco Canyon
TECHNOLOGY:
- Word Documents
- PowerPoint (Health Presentation)
- Research (Health Presentation)
- Haiku
- Online Links
DEPTH AND COMPLEXITY:
- Used in all content areas
- Posted on classroom wall
- Students become familiar with these icons through use
GRADING AND REPORT CARDS:
Gradebook (available online)
- homework assignments
- projects
- tests and quizzes
- class assignments
- oral presentations/participation
Report Cards reflect the online scores
ACCELERATED READER:
- Computer based program
- Appropriate reading level books at difficulty level based on pretest
online, next week
- Individual student reading progress data will be available
FIELD TRIPS:
- To be determined later
PARTICIPATING IN THE CLASSROOM
ROOM 51 NEEDS YOU!
- Sharing hobbies and career paths
- Lots of curriculum based activities and planning
- Lots of filing, xeroxing, activity preparation
- Lots of taping water color paper on cardboard
- Library Garden maintenance
- Play production, Field Trips, Money Management
- Technology assistance …. and so much more
A VOLUNTEER 1 FORM WITH CA LICENSE OR PASSPORT IS MANDATED
CONTACT INFORMATION:
School: (949) 888-7311
Email: africanom@svusd.k12.ca.us
Website: http://www.svusd.org
-find my name listed under staff/teachers
-check periodically for announcements
Thank you for visiting our classroom! Come anytime!
Dear Families,
Welcome to Room 51's, 5th grade class. We are off to a terrific beginning
of what I know will be a rewarding, productive, and exciting year. I look
forward to the opportunity of working with all of you. I will do my best to
make sure each student will be provided with the experiences needed for a
successful year.
My intention is to merge key concepts, which will help tie together
curriculum strands and themes throughout the year. In this way, meaningful
connections can be made to information introduced in previous years.
Through Project Based Learning,students will stand a better chance of
remembering information, and practice applying it in new situations. Naturally
the more students become actively engaged in learning, the more they will
remember and want to continue to learn. Expect a whirlwind!
In order for all this to happen there must be an orderly
classroom atmosphere; therefore, we will spend time clarifying expectations
and standards. It is my hope that students will strive to be problem solvers,
choose to believe in themselves, and view other students with an open mind and
an open heart.
Since 5th grade is our year for American History, our class will
often actively redefine the meaning of �The Common Good� in establishing
Room
51�s community atmosphere.
In order to accomplish the above goals I will stress these objectives:
� Maintain a positive classroom atmosphere
� Provide ample communication
� Encourage respect and caring for one another
� Expect academic responsibility for short and long term assignments
� Expect personal responsibility for study habits such as neatness and pride
in one�s work and following directions as well as a balanced use of time
in school and at home,
SPECIAL AWAY ACTIVITIES
We enjoy a science field studies trip in Trabuco Canyon in May. It
is organized by The Fifth Grade Team. This science experience, which is two
days, isvery informative,a good deal of fun, and a wonderful way to prepare
for the state science test. Other field trip information will soon be
forthcoming.
LITERATURE CIRCLE (May not be possible with the shortened school year)
Two days a week, students read in small groups with adult leaders.
Traditionally, these circles usually take place after lunch. It is not
necessary for our leaders to come both days, but over the years, we have had
five or six adult leaders per session. Words cannot adequately describe how
much the children get out of Literature Circle, just taking turns reading
aloud and
discussing the passages. I hope that many of you will take part. One last
word...anyone - grandmothers, grandfathers, uncles, aunts, moms, dads, who
cannot regularly make Literature Circle, but have a particular day off,during
the school year, then please feel welcome to come by and read with the kids.
It�s really fun!Please stop by the office and sign in every time you come to
volunteer.
MATH BENCHMARKS
If your child has not mastered the addition, subtraction, multiplication
and division tables through the twelves, please make practice a priority at
home. We will be testing regularly, at school. Flash card drill and computer
math game sites are helpful tools. Fifth and sixth grade math involve new
concepts each day. In order for students to be able to focus on the concepts,
they need to be free of the need to stop for an arithmetic problem.
REQUIRED SUPPLIES
3-ring 1� binder w/clear cover (no other kinds of binders, please - ONE INCH
BINDER)
1 box of Kleenex
2 packages of dividers
notebook paper
3-5 sharpened pencils
large eraser
ruler showing metric & inches
2 ball point pens (blue or black)
backpack
JUMBO fabric book covers for hard bound books
sock (to erase white board entries and store markers)
glue stick or glue
dark color dry erase marker
box of crayons (small)
*3-ring binder pencil holder for moving between classes (PROVIDED)
*white boards (PROVIDED)
*I will provide students� portable white boards and boxes for their pens,
pencils, and art supplies, that will fit the cubbies that they will be using
all year. There simply is not enough room for the boxes in a 5th grader�s
desk. I will also provide binder pencil holders.
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS EVERY DAY. FIFTH GRADERS
ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CALL HOME FOR "STUFF" THEY FORGOT, AND PARENTS MAY NOT
DELIVER FORGOTTEN "STUFF". ALL 5TH GRADE TEACHERS AGREE ON THIS POLICY IN
ORDER TO PRACTICE RESPONSIBILITY.
CLASSROOM STANDARDS
1. SUPPLIES: The supplies for our class are listed above. As the year
progresses, please replace any lost or �used up� items.
2. BOOKS: All hardbound books must be covered and labeled with the subject,
the student's name and room number. Please do not use the type of covers that
when removed leave a sticky residue. Students must have all books in class and
are responsible for the condition of the books assigned to them. Lost or
improperly covered books will need to be paid for so they can be replaced.
3. HOMEWORK: Homework consists of a continuation of the daily class
instruction. In Saddleback Valley School District, fifth and sixth graders
are expected to have 60 minutes of homework each night. Thirty minutes,
nightly, will be used for the At-Home Reading Program. (If your student
tells you that he or she already did the necessary At-Home reading at school,
please be sure to carefully review the definition of �AT-HOME�!) Second in
utmost importance is 15 minutes of focused practice on TYPING PAL. I insist
that students in my class learn how to properly use the keyboard. Technology
as a tool, a form of communication and much more, is taking center stage.
Without the advantage of proper keyboarding skills, students are at a great
disadvantage. With classes growing ever larger, teachers are understandably
needed some means of managing their paper loads. Consequently, they are
expecting their students to turn in typed work. Students having to type
without these skills or parents doing the typing for their students, are both
a shameful waste of academic time. The time devoted to homework may vary,
however, depending on the student's use of time, and use of skills will
determine how long it takes to complete assignmentsin class and home. It is
important for you and your student to know that NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED
unless due to an excused absence. Missing assignments will have a major impact
on students' grades. More importantly,homework serves as time for students to
practice, allowing more time to internalize new concepts, which is extremely
important for a successful year.Weekly Homework Assignment Sheets are made
available the first school day ofeach week. Additionally, parents may see the
same assignments on my website,under �Announcements�.
4. PARENT BULLETIN: When children have "forgotten" to do homework or return
signed forms, or exhibit poor behavior, they will be issued a PARENT BULLETIN.
This bulletin is sent home to be signed and returned the next day. If
children receive two bulletins in a single week they are given a detention.
Detentions are served on Tuesdays from 2:35 - 3:15 the following week. We
instituted this system throughout the fifth and sixth grades to help students
form the habit of completing work on time and behaving at school.
5. PUNCTUALITY AND PREPARATION: Please help your child arrive on time, each
day, with all the necessary materials and supplies for the day. Tardiness
delays and interrupts the education of all students in the classroom.
Adequate sleep and a healthy breakfast for each child results in a more
successful and happy day at school. School Safety Rules mandate that all
children drop off their backpacks, and immediately go to the playground,
remaining there until the line-up-bell rings. Arrival on campus is appropriate
at 8:20 each morning. Students must wait at the lunch tables until 8:20.
6. ABSENCES: If students will be out of school, please contact the office as
soon as possible. If necessary, requested homework may be picked up in the
school office at the end of the day or picked up by a friend or sibling.
7. PROGRESS REPORTS: Progress Reports will be available online. Families may
view student grades online, any time after the first three weeks of school.
8. GRADING STANDARD: Each student's grades will be determined by daily work,
some homework, and quizzes and tests. Test grades and long term assignments
are given more weight than other assignments. On daily work I use a
percentage grade system. Below is the approximate scale:
90-100 A 80-90 B 70-80 C 60-70 D Below 60 F
9. FAMILY COMMUNICATION: The website will give you all you could ever imagine
reading... every day of the school year. I also ask that you send an email
address where last minute updates can be posted, or where teacher, parent or
student may contact me at any time. Please feel free to email me at any point
in the school year. Students are always welcome to email me,as well.
10. FRIDAY TAKE HOME FOLDERS: Graded work assignments are saved and �most
often� sent home weekly on Fridays. The folder needs to be signed, dated and
sent back on Mondays. Please look over the work with your child and KEEP the
work at home, returning just the signed folder unless otherwise specified.
Please read over the information in and on the Friday Folder.
11. SCHOOL MAINTENANCE: Why can't we eat our snacks right outside our room?
School rules dictate that all eating and drinking happens at the lunch tables.
Recess and Lunch Supervisors get testy about the 1,000,000th time they ask
students to obey the school rules. Snack packages and wrappers end up all
over the campus, and blow right onto our Room 51 "front porch". Ants decide
it's party time and gather in places where they are a pain in the neck. Then
cans of Raid start appearing and Mrs. Africano turns into The Screaming Green
Maniac from Tree Hugger Central. These are not good things. Be aware!
Students will have a 15 minute snack time during their morning recess.
Fifth grade teachers highly encourage students to bring a healthy snack so
that they may keep up their energy level until lunchtime, which isn't until
1:05. School rules mandate that students wait to begin opening their snacks
or their lunches, until they get to their assigned lunch tables. This
rule has true merit when we consider that 2,400+ snacks and lunches means the
potential exists for a whole lot of trash ending up all over the campus.
12. THE COMMON GOOD JAR: Students earn COMMON GOOD chips that go into �The
Common Good Time� jar. Students catch my mistakes, such as a document
errors,
or do something particularly praise-worthy, and fill the jar. They earn every
chip! When the jar is full this year,I will help students and parents build
some amazing structures at our very own sand castle beach party, on the shore.
13. AT-HOME READING, once again: Students are expected to read at least 1
1/2hours a week at home. Books should be novels, fiction or nonfiction, of
their own choosing. A weekly form needs to be completed, totaled, signed, and
returned on the last school day of each month, for now. Their performance on
this program will be averaged into their language arts grade. If students
choose AR books, they'll be earning their needed comprehension points as well.
I strongly suggest that students choose books from the AR (Accelerated
Reading)list. Of course, the books must be within their individual lexile
range for credit - not too high and not too low.
If there are any questions or concerns please feel free to email me
through the district web or home website. I'm looking forward to meeting each
of you at Back-to-School Night,and am excited about our 5th grade program. Our
staff is looking forward to a great year. Thank you in advance for your
cooperation in filling out the seemingly endless stack of forms.
Sincerely,
Mrs.Africano
Please send an email to africanom@cox.net as soon as possible. If you want
class announcements or individual notes to go to more than one address,
that�s
fine.
