We made it through the first week! 🙂 Thank you for your help getting the kids back into the routines of school and for being diligent with all the forms.  If you do have paperwork left to turn in, please make sure you have that in as soon as possible to keep our records complete. Our agendas should be in this week.  Once they are in, we will be writing in them for accountability. Please check the agenda each night and hold them accountable for all homework!

 

Our daily schedule:

 

7:30-9:30: Mr. Bender’s Homeroom is with Ms. Wolff, Ms. Wolff’s Homeroom is with Mr. Bender

9:30-10:20: Back to homeroom

10:20-11: Specials

11:05-11:55: Math PAWS

12:00-12:30: Lunch

12:30-1:45: Back to homeroom

1:45-2:30: ELA PAWS

 

From Ms. Wolff:

 

Math:

We have begun our math lessons using the math textbook. Homework will be assigned nightly. If a student is struggling with basic facts, additional time should be spent nightly. If you need additional resources for multiplication facts review, please let Ms. Wolff know.

 

The textbook, more sample problems, and videos are available online. The easiest way to access it is through the Laveen web page: http://www.laveeneld.org/

 

Tests will be standards-based and the first one will be after lesson five on either Friday or Monday. We are starting out with Place Value review.

 

Social Studies:

 

We are beginning with a review of basic geography terms and map skills. After Geography, we will continue with American history which is the focus in fifth grade.  Also, we will be working on a few lessons in digital citizenship and how to work appropriately while online.

 

From Mr. Bender:

 

In Science, we did an awesome Marshmallow Challenge team building activity on Friday- ask your child about it! We had many groups who were successful at the task!

 

Next week you can expect a more normal routine in ELA/Science with assignments, homework, spelling, and reading logs.

 

ELA:

 

We will be starting our weekly spelling words. Students will have a homework packet that will be due Friday. We will also begin learning about plot this week in reading. We hope to be visiting the library soon. Students have access to my library in my classroom for now. Make sure you are having your student read as much as possible!

 

Science:

 

Students will be introduced to the human body this week in science. We will be starting off with the digestive system.

 

From Mr. Pitts:

Music: We started with procedures and expectations, but then learned a playground song called “Velocity”. Students sang and worked with a variety of peers while we reviewed the expectations.

 

From Ms. Phillips:

Band: Any student interested in band needs to have 3 things:  Instrument, Traditions of Excellence Book 1, and a cleaning kit.  mphillips@laveeneld.org if you have other band questions!

 

The Panther P.A.C.T.:

 

Here at Trailside we follow the Panther P.A.C.T.  The P.A.C.T. stands for Personal best, Accountable, Critical thinker, and Tolerant.  It is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for all students in a school to achieve social, emotional, and academic success.  

 

Personal Best:  Personal best means putting forth 100% effort into work and home responsibilities.  

 

Accountable: Accountable means being responsible and accomplishing tasks.  If you say you are going to do it, you do it in the time allocated.  

 

Critical Thinker: Critical Thinker means being a problem solver and making every effort to independently find appropriate solutions to problems that come up.

 

Tolerance: Tolerance means being patient, accepting, and understanding of others and their situations.  Put yourself in other person’s shoes.

 

How to use the P.A.C.T. at home:

 

It is beneficial to have common language between home and school to reinforce positive behaviors in all aspects of the student’s life.  

 

Examples and importance of using the P.A.C.T.

 

Personal Best: “I can see you have done your personal best by helping wash the dishes.”

 

Accountable: “I can see you were being accountable by completing your homework.”

 

Critical Thinker: “I am proud of you for being a critical thinker when determining which items were garbage, and which were recyclable.”

 

Tolerant: “Great job being tolerant of your siblings when they were trying to finish their homework.”

 

Any questions/comments, feel free to email me or Mr. Bender. Have a great week!