Curriculum Night

5th Grade2014-2015

Carl A. Furr Elementary

Common Core StandardsNorth Carolina adopted the National

Common Core Standards for ELA and Math.

This is the third year of full implementation throughout the entire state.

These standards match the global shift in education to college readiness by deepening students’ knowledge.

Essential Standards-Science

The units that are covered in 5th grade science now include:

Force and MotionWeather Genetics and HereditySystems of the BodyEcosystems/biomesTransfer of Energy

Essential Standards-

Social StudiesThe units in social studies this year include:

Economics—budgeting, division of laborU.S. Government American History up to the Industrial

Revolution

Social studies will be integrated into the ELA curriculum through Reader’s Workshop studies on historical fiction and nonfiction texts.

Math Common CorePlace Value

Decimals, comparing numbers, Power of 10 numbers, multiplication

Fractions Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and comparing Mixed numbers and improper fractions

Algebra Order of Operations and algebraic expressions Input/Output charts and coordinate points

Measurement and Data Measurement conversions and volume Line plots

Problem-Solving Strategies 8-step Model Drawing, TINS method

Reading Common CoreEmphasis on informational text and literature

Reader’s Workshop aligns to the Common Core by allowing students to go deeper with a self-selected text.

Students are expected to be able to answer the following questions for all texts:What is the author saying? Cite evidence.How did the author say it? Examine author’s craft.How do I evaluate what the author has told me and

how can I go beyond that?

WritingStudents will integrate writing across

the curriculum.

There are three types of writing taught this year:1.Argument/Opinion-based2.Expository/Nonfiction3.Narratives

Word Study ProgramThis is the second year that Furr has implemented

the word study program, Words Their Way.

This program focuses on identifying spelling patterns, transferring and applying patterns to new words.

Students will not have traditional spelling homework with this program, but are encouraged to study the spelling patterns at home each week.

Listening and SpeakingThis is a new emphasis to our

curriculum.

This will be met by partner discussions and book clubs during Reader’s Workshop.

Students will also present projects completed throughout the year which will help develop these skills.

Reading GoalsGrade Level

Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4

3rd Grade M N O P

4th Grade P Q R R/S

5th Grade S T U V

Text Gradient ClustersThe level of the text increases in letter

with an increase in difficulty.

Being fluent does not mean that a book is appropriate for students—we must look at the content of the book.

Grading with Reader’s Workshop

We moved away from the traditional way of grading with Reader’s Workshop.

Students will be graded with rubrics throughout the school year.

Sometimes you will simply receive the rubric rather than the work because it is located in students’ reading journals.

Assessments and Progress Reports

Benchmark assessments will be completed several times this year—having just completed our first ones at the beginning of this month.

Students will be assessed through Running Records three times a year formally. This will help students pick books appropriate for their reading levels.

Discovery Ed will be used for common formative assessments throughout the school year as well.

Smarter Balanced Consortium Assessments

Standards Based Report Cards

This year, fifth grade is piloting new Standards-based report cards.

These report cards rate students on a level of 1 to 4.1-Below grade level2-Working towards grade level3-On grade level4-Above grade level

Standards Based Report Cards

In order to understand what the levels mean, Cabarrus County is creating Scoring Scales that will be available on their webpage. These will also be sent home with the report cards.

Example of Scoring Scales for Second Grade Math

Sneak Peak of Report Card

Parent ConferencesWe will have sign ups for parent-teacher

conferences coming soon.

Most will be scheduled on October 24th or 27th as these are workdays provided for conferences.

We will review the report cards again during this time and help answer any more questions you might have!