Parent Presentation

1. Welcome
Families!*Please begin filling out the
“Introducing Your Child” sheet.

2. Writing WorkshopQuestions?
I’ve placed index cards at each table for you
to jot down any questions you may have tonight.
If your questions are good for the whole
group, feel free to ask now. If your questions
are more personal, leave your name
on your card and I will email you.
I’ve also included sticky notes in case
you’d like to leave a note for your
child!

3. AttendanceWelcome!
• Our Class Coordinators this year are
Jen Aliff and Sylvia Martin.
• Thank you so much!

4. Teacher Introductions
Nikki Back
• I’ve taught 5th grade for four years.
• This is my first year at Simpson Elementary. I
taught at Jackson Elementary before SES.
• I am gifted and ESOL certified.
• I enjoy hanging out with my
family, reading, teaching, and
crafting.

5. Ms. Back’s Schedule
Arrival & Morning Work
Writing
Math & Science (Dingler)
Reading & Social Studies (Back)
Lunch
Bathroom Break
Recess
WOW Time
Specials
Dismissal
8:20-8:50
8:50-9:50
9:50-11:25
11:25-1:00
1:00-1:30
1:30-1:35
1:35-1:55
2:05-2:35
2:35-3:20
3:20-3:50
Time Subject

6. SpecialsSpecials Schedule
Day 1 – Counselor
Day 2 – PE
Day 3 – Art
Day 4 – Music
Day 5 – Spanish
Day 6 - eClass

7. GradingClassroom Expectations
• BE RESPONSIBLE
• BE KIND TO EVERYONE
• HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
• TRY YOUR BEST
Ms. Dingler and I try our best to maintain clear
expectations. We work together to remain
consistent across the two classrooms with behavior
expectations. Concerns will be noted in the agenda
with a check. If a student receives a check, they
will lose five minutes of recess and must get the
agenda signed that night.

8. SnacksSnacks
Because our lunch is so late, students should
bring a snack. The snack should be easy to
handle and not messy since we will be working
while we eat. They may eat whenever they get
hungry as long as it isn’t a distraction.
*For birthdays, please send enough
treats for everyone (22). Treats will
be served during writing or WOW.
*Pre-cut and ready to serve, please!

9. Writing Workshop
• 15 minutes – Minilesson on a skill
• 40 minutes – Independent writing or
small groups
• 5 minutes – Wrap up
* We will focus on three main genres this
year: narrative, informational, and opinion.
Students will work on elaboration, research
skills, and argumentative techniques.
Writing Workshop
Writing Workshop provides students dedicated time to
practice writing while allowing the teacher to meet with
students individually or in small groups. Our schedule will be as
follows:

10. Our spelling grades will consist mostly of Fry Words and our
study of Greek and Latin affixes. These affixes will expand
your students’ vocabulary and increase spelling abilities! Our
focus is on application. Students should be able to transfer
what they learn to their writing.
Students will have some practice with these
words via homework. We will have a new
set of words every other week. Students
are expected to study at home.
Word Study

11. Reading Workshop
Reading Workshop is a time for students to develop as a
reader and meet with the teacher in small groups for
differentiated instruction. Our daily schedule for reading
workshop will be as follows:
• 15 minutes – Minilesson on a specific skill
• 40 minutes – Independent reading or
small group
• 5 minutes – Wrap up
* This year, we will focus on studying complex
fiction and nonfiction, including poetry and dramas.
We will also emphasize supporting our answers with
evidence from the text and explaining our thinking
logically.
Reading Workshop

12. Social Studies
In Social Studies, we will begin with the Civil War and end with
the present day. We’ve got a lot of time to cover! There
can be a lot of vocabulary in Social Studies, so students can
access our Quizlet account to study via eClass.
• Materials: I can checklist, interactive notebooks, maps,
graphs, document-based activities
• Daily Grades: application of vocabulary and/or quick
checks of mastery (typically open
note)
• Summative Grades: end of unit tests
or projects

13. Best Practices• Gifted curriculum will be provided within reading and
social studies instruction.
• Pretests and teacher observations will be used to
determine appropriate instruction.
• Integrate the topics included in social studies in reading
when applicable.
• Differentiation:
– Level of support
– Tasks
– Pace & rigor
– Leveled readers and articles
– Learning styles – auditory, visual,
kinesthetic
– Assessments
– Higher level thinking

14. Promotion RequirementsWOW Time
• Calendar math
• Enrichment
• Media center
• Incomplete work
• Make-up work (absences)
• Read aloud
• Independent
reading

15. Homework Assignments
Students will almost always have homework Monday-
Thursday. Typically, it will include the following:
• Weekly math sheet
• Read 30 minutes
• Weekly reading packet
• Writing assignment
• About 1 hour plus reading time

16. GradingGrading
• Daily Grades= 50% of grade
– Retaught, but grade stands
• Tests = 43% of grade
– Retaken to bring grade up to a 70%
• District Assessments = 7% of grade
– Given each quarter, no retakes
• Homework = Effort grade
– WOW time if not complete or
lack of sufficient effort

17. Promotion RequirementsPromotion Requirements
• Georgia Milestones
– Grade level or above(3 and 4) on Reading and
Vocabulary domains
– Developing level or higher (2+) on Mathematics
domains

18. Testing CalendarTesting Dates
• Standardized
– Cognitive Abilities Test – September 18-20
– ITBS – October 23-27
– Georgia Milestones – April 17
• DA’s (District Assessments) – Once each 9
Weeks
– September/October
– December
– March
– May

19. GradingDigital Learning
Simpson Elementary is a Bring Your Own Device
(BYOD) school. Students will be allowed to use a mobile
device at various points throughout the day. Students
may use a tablet, smart phone, iPod Touch, or e-
reader. Some examples of what we may use the
devices for include:
-Reading -Research
-Socrative -Digital projects
-Kahoot! -eClass assignments
*There is a ZERO TOLERANCE policy in
regards to a misuse of technology.
*Pack it or park it

20. Reading WorkshopWebsite & Agenda
• Students are responsible for filling out
their agenda legibly.
• Conduct will be recorded in the agenda on
Fridays. Please sign every Friday.
• Friday Folders will contain important
papers and grades.
– Please sign and return grades 70 and below
Websites & Agendas
• Our eClass pages will be updated regularly.
• Newsletters will be emailed out and posted on eClass.
• Students can reach our pages through the portal. If you
would like to see the page, you will need to login with your
child’s information.

21. CommunicationCommunication
• Agenda
• Friday folders
• Class newsletters
• eClass announcements
• Progress reports
• Report cards
• Conferences
• Email, phone calls, or notes
Nikki_Back@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Gayle_Dingler@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

22. AttendanceThanks for coming!
• Please read the AKS – it’s yours to keep!
• Turn in these forms to me tonight:
• Introducing Your Child
I look forward to a successful partnership with
you and a great year with your child!