This document provides an overview and agenda for a blended curriculum chat for Ms. Capelli and Ms. Southworth's 5th grade class. It includes introductions from the two teachers, as well as information about communication, the daily schedule, technology use, grading policies, and an overview of the content areas that will be covered including English/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Details are provided about topics, standards, assessments and resources that will be used in each subject area over the course of the school year. The purpose of the document is to inform students and parents about the curriculum and expectations for the 5th grade blended classroom.

1. 5th Blended
Curriculum Chat
Welcome to Ms. Capelli’s and Ms. Southworth’s Class

2. Agenda
▪ All About Us!
▪ Communication
▪ Daily Schedule
▪ From the Front Office
▪ VRA Food Policy
▪ Technology
▪ HAC and Grading
▪ Content Areas
▪ Florida Standards/ State Assessments
▪ Homework
Please jot down burning
questions on the index cards
provided at your table; we will
answers questions at the end
of the presentation or post
online.

3. Ms. Capelli
▪ This is my 8th year teaching
▪ I have two girls who attend PonteVedra High School and two boys
who live in Indiana
▪ I have a degree in business/finance as well as elementary education
▪ I LOVE teaching and my goal is to meet the students where they are
and help them grow to become lifelong learners and problem solvers
▪ I believe that by nurturing connections and creating a safe and fun
learning environment that I can help my students reach their
potential

4. Ms. Southworth
▪ I love teaching.
▪ This is my 10th year teaching, and 9th year at a K- 8 school.
▪ My certification is in K-6 Elementary Education and K –12
Exceptional Student Education with Endorsements for Reading,
ESOL, and Gifted
▪ I was raised in St. Augustine and attended SJC schools from
Kindergarten through college. I love my hometown.
▪ My daughter is a 11th grader at Nease High School.
▪ My goal is to be the teacher for your child that I want for my own,
caring, compassionate, creative, and challenging.

5. Communication
▪ Please read weekly updates sent via email,
and check school webpage weekly. Remind
will be for quick reminders.
▪ If you haven’t received an email, please let us
know 
▪ Weekly papers are in take-home binders
(school news, graded assessments & quizzes)
▪ Check your child’s planner/Edmodo
frequently
▪ HAC (Home Access Center) check for student
progress-all grades/assessments are posted
within one week
Email is the best way:
Kimberly.Capelli@stjo
hns.k12.fl.us
Holly.Southworth@stj
ohns.k12.fl.us
OR
School phone number:
(904) 547- 4090
(not the best form of communication during the
day unless it’s an emergency)

6. Student Homepage
The backpack:
Unlimited storage
for documents,
videos and other
resources
Students can
only join
groups.They
cannot create
groups.
Teacher can
create small
groups for
project based
learning.
Students receive
notifications for
grades, assignments,
alerts or replies
Students can only
send messages to the
entire group or
directly to the teacher
(some teachers have
set to READ ONLY
Parents use this code to create
their account or add student to
their existing account

7. Planner (Calendar)
View scheduled assignments
View by month
or week
Filter by group or
view all
Tasks show up here to
keep you on track

8. Daily Schedule
▪ 8:10 – 8:30 Enter classroom/Good morning work
▪ 8:30-10:30 Block 1
▪ 10:30-11:00 “Power Hour” intervention, enrichment, etc.
▪ 11:00 – 11:40 Resource (8 day schedule, excluding Wed.)
▪ 11:45 – 12:15 Lunch
▪ 12:15 – 2:15 Block 2
▪ 2:15-2:45 Recess
▪ 2:45 Dismissal (1:45 on Wednesday)
▪ *Schedule subject to change at teacher discretion*
Resource Southworth:
A=Music
B=Art
C=PE
D=Media Class
E=Technology Class
F=In-ClassTechnology
G=PE
H=Media Checkout
Resource Capelli
A=Technology Class
B=Music
C=PE
D=Media Checkout
E=In-ClassTechnology
F=Art
G=PE
H=Media Class
Posted in
class/students may
copy in planner

9. Reminders from VRA’s Front Office
Dress Code
▪ Shorts and skirts– must be 4 inches from
knee (use an index card as your guide)
▪ Shirts – no sleeveless (minimum cap-
sleeved), no tanks, no spaghetti straps, no
off-shoulder, no midriffs
▪ Shoes –shoes with backs, no flip flops or
backless, no wedges, and please keep roller
skates and steel-toed boots at home
▪ Leggings – Leggings may be worn; however,
they must be worn under a skirt or shorts of
dress-code length
Please note the teachers must enforce dress
code by sending students in violation to the
office in theAM.
Forgotten Materials
The front office will be happy to place
forgotten homework, PE uniforms, band
instruments, laptops, school supplies, or
projects in theTeacher’s box. Students are
responsible for bringing these items to school
therefore class will not be interrupted. The only
exception to the policy is a student’s lunch or
lunch money.
Transportation Changes
Please be sure to send in a note if your child is
changing transportation for that day stating:
the mode of transportation for that day, a
parent signature, and the date. Emails and
phone calls are not allowed.

10. VRA Food Policy
▪ No food sharing at lunch, including birthday treats
▪ Any outside food, including treats, must be store-bought with
complete nutrition label
▪ Birthday and outside treats – please contact your child’s homeroom
teacher in advance.

11. Technology
Laptops shared by two homerooms
BringYour Own Device option
Used daily in class across the curriculum
Focus on responsibility and digital
citizenship
Laptop Use and Care Policy
Technology Lessons in Resource and
practical applications in class integrated
with core curriculum: keyboarding,Word,
Excel, Powerpoint, Digital Citizenship, and
more.
Digital Resources
▪ ScienceText: www.pearsonsuccessnet.com
▪ SSText: www.successnetplus.com
▪ Math Textmath online
▪ Study Island: www.studyisland.com
▪ Edmodo: www.Edmodo.com
▪ IXL: www.ixl.com
▪ Keyboarding Skills: http://www.typingweb.com/tutor/
▪ Microsoft Office Suite - *Each SJCSD student can download Office 365 at
home – ask your teacher for the info*
▪ And more!
Student passwords will be
Password Keeper. SJCSD
is updating textbook and
digital resources, and we
will update you when
available for student use.

12. Home Access Center (HAC)
•Web based application engineered to help parents monitor their child’s academic progress.
•Benefits:
1.Provides parents/students with a summary of student information.
2.Schedules, attendance, discipline referrals and test scores posted for parents.
3.Parents/students have access to view records to stay informed with academic progress.
•Report Cards will be digital via HAC; please email if you need a paper copy.
--Report Card dates: 10/24, 1/20, 3/27, 5/24
•Interim/progress reports will not be sent home. You will have constant access to your child’s
progress with this great at-home tool.
--Interim dates: 9/12, 11/16, 2/8, 4/24
If you do NOT have HAC login info, please contact VRA’s office staff for guidance.
Click here:

13. Grading Policy
Formative Assessments
• Guide our instruction
Summative Assessments
• Tests/projects (80% )
• Classwork/quizzes/projects (20% )
Retake Policy
• Unit tests with scores of 70% or
below are eligible for reteach/retest;
maximum grade of 70%
– Formative Assessments- tools to
guide our instruction (Discovery
Education, classwork, pre-tests,
writing prompts, journals, etc.)
– Summative Assessments- graded
(ELA, Science, and Social Studies)
▪ tests (80%)
▪ classwork/quizzes (20%) - includes
graded assignments not in the test
category, such as vocabulary tests,
journals, projects. etc.
▪ Math 60% tests, 30% quizzes, 10%
classwork
– Retake only on tests (70% or below);
student must meet with teacher to
make a plan for mastery.

14. Curriculum
▪ English/Language Arts
▪ Math
▪ Science
▪ Social Studies
5th American History through 1800s
▪ Digital Citizenship andTechnology
▪ Character Counts!

15. English/Language Arts and Social Studies
ELA
We will be implementing reading, writing, research, and
study strategies throughout all subjects.
▪ Readers/Writers Workshop
▪ ReadingGoals- 5 books each quarter; 1 in-class novel
study per quarter/Students should be reading at
home everyday (min. 30 minutes)
▪ Vocabulary quizzes are entered as classwork (20%)
▪ Opinion andText-based written response
▪ Research Skills
▪ Grammar and conventions focus on all work product,
including Edmodo posts
▪ Tropicana Speech Contest and Spelling BEE) in
Semester 2
Social Studies
▪ PearsonWorkbook/Textbook,
“MyWorld”
▪ Curriculum focuses onAmerican
History in 5th
▪ Social Studies is integrated into the
Reading Curriculum and classroom
discussion
▪ DBQs (Document-Based Questions) –
Primary and Secondary document
analysis producing essay using
evidence from the text

16. ELA Quarter 1: Major Concepts /Topics
 Text features
 Compare and contrast the overall structures in two or more texts (ex. cause/effect, problem/solution).
 Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning or tone of a text.
 Access information from multiple sources (print and digital) to find information.
 Determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in various grade level texts using a variety of strategies.
 Conventions (commas, quotation marks, cursive, conjunctions, prepositions, interjections, and perfect verb tenses).
Quarter 2
 Vocabulary strategies, figurative language, content specific language
 Describe how the point of view influences how events are described in both literature and informational text.
 Explain how the author uses reasons and evidences to support points in a text.
 Conventions (pronouns, adverbs, progressive verb tenses, modal auxiliaries, order adjectives, and commas)
 Idioms, adages, proverbs, antonyms, synonyms)
Quarter 3
 Determine the theme of a text across various genres.
 Compare and contrast story elements and texts w/in and across genres
 Determine two or more main ideas in a text and explain how they are supported by key details.
 Cite evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis of text.
 Research
 Conventions
Quarter 4
 Read and comprehend grade level literature and informational text.
ELA at a Glance:
Reading workshop,
text-based writing,
novel studies,
vocabulary study,
grammar skills
practice, study,
communication, and
note-taking skills
application
Special Events:
Tropicana Speech
Contest and Spelling
Bee

17. • Use clues / evidence from
text
• Make non-trivial
inferences based on that
evidence
• Use information from
multiple sources within or
between text to make
arguments
•Adjust reading strategies
for purpose
•Notetaking
STUDENTS WILL READ LIKE A DETECTIVE!
Ultimate Priority
“…read closely and gain
knowledge from texts.”

18. Social Studies Year at a Glance
All year: Use primary and secondary sources to understand history.
All year: Utilize timelines to identify and discuss American History time periods.
All year: Document-based inquiry, project-based learning, debate, current events, geography, economics
Social Studies Quarter 1: Major Concepts /Topics
American History: Pre-Columbian North America: Ancient Civilizations and NativeAmericans (Chapters 1 and 2)
Geography: The World in SpatialTerms (map skills)
Celebrate Freedom Week: Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Current Events in Government
Quarter 2: Major Concepts /Topics
American History: Exploration and Settlement of North America (Chapter 3)
American History: Colonization of North America
Quarter 3: Major Concepts /Topics
American History: American Revolution & Birth of a New Nation
Civics and Government: Foundations of Government, Law, and the American Political System; Civic and Political Participation
Quarter 4: Major Concepts /Topics
American History: Growth and Westward Expansion

19. Math and Science
Math
▪ We will continue to build on previous
knowledge
▪ Problem solving daily with weekly “POW”
homework
▪ Nightly practice
▪ Videos for help
▪ Study sessions prior to tests
▪ Powerpoint reviews posted on Edmodo
▪ Weekly student tracked spiral review
Science
▪ Standardized science this year covering 3rd, 4th, and 5th
grade standards
▪ Goal is to be as hands on as possible
▪ Weekly spiral review
▪ Most tests are applying knowledge versus memorizing
facts
▪ Powerpoint reviews posted on Edmodo
▪ Summative Assessments and quick checks are mostly
application of knowledge and not memorization of facts
▪ STEMChallenges/Independent Projects
▪ Stem Fair

20. Math Topics
Developing Multiplication and Division Strategies: Long multiplication and divisions
Using equivalency to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators, including mixed numbers.
Word problems
Expanding understanding of place value to decimals. A digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to
its right and 1/10 of the place to its left.
Exponents and powers of 10: Explain patterns in the number of zeros of the product when multiplying a number by power of 10
Read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form
Understanding the concept of multiplying fractions by fractions.
Multiply a fraction or whole number by a fraction.
Comparing and rounding decimals.
Interpret multiplying fractions as scaling.
Word problems involving multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers.
Dividing with fractions
Understand and solve problems involving volume.
Performing operations with decimals:Add, subt., mult., and divide decimals to hundredths
Convert like measurement units within a given measurement system and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real world
problems.
Classifying two-dimensional geometric figures.
Solving problems with fractional quantities.
Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit [1/2, ¼, 1/8].
RepresentingAlgebraicThinking Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions with symbols.
Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them.
Exploring the coordinate plane

21. ScienceTopics at a Glance
All year: ScientificThinking,The Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge
Quarter 1 (Aug 10 – Oct 14):Major Concepts /Topics
The Properties of Matter
Changes in Matter
Forces and Changes in Motion
Quarter 2 (Oct 18 – Dec 21): Major Concepts /Topics
Forms of Energy
EnergyTransfer andTransformations
Quarter 3 (Jan 5 – Mar 10) :Major Concepts /Topics
Earth and Space
Earth Systems and Patterns (Water Cycle, Weather, Precipitation)
Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms/Interdependence (Plants and Animals Survival and Adaptations)
Quarter 4 (Mar 21 – May 24) :Major Concepts /Topics
Organization and Development of Living Organisms (Organs of Human Body)
May 1 - May 5: SSA ScienceTesting Window

22. Things to Know About the Florida Curriculum Standards
1. Thinking Deeply
The Florida Curriculum Standards emphasize critical thinking. It requires students to analyze
more, discuss more, evaluate more, justify more and explain their thinking & understanding
deeply, especially in writing. Take-Away: Really thinking deeply is hard. Let it BE hard, but
help them talk it out.
3. Showing How They Know
Florida Curriculum Standards emphasize proof & evidence and require students to
demonstrate their understanding in each task. Take-Away: New state tests require students to
explain how they know.
2. Integrating Learning
Florida Curriculum Standards emphasize learning across disciplines (reading with math &
social studies standards combined in one task). Students spend more time working together
with different settings, structures & tools. Take-Away: Problems & solutions happen everyday
in the real world.

23. The Florida Standards reflect the expectations of what ALL
students should know and be able to do in each grade from
kindergarten through 12th grade.
The Florida Standards are designed to ensure that ALL students
reach their greatest potential.
They were adapted from the Common Core Standards and adopted by
the Florida State Board of Education in February 2014. All
schools state wide began implementing them in 2014-2015.
For more information go to:
http://www.flstandards.org/about.aspx
So, what about standardized testing? *Results from ‘15-’16 in HAC
http://www.fsassessments.org/ Students will take the FSA test for ELA
(Writing in March and Reading in April) and Math (April);
SSA Science test – previously known as FCAT Science (May)

24. Differentiation: A Blended Model
What is a blended model?
▪ In a gifted blended model, students who are
eligible for gifted services are placed in
classes with their grade level peers and
assigned a gifted-endorsed educator.
▪ Differentiation happens through content,
product, and process for ALL students in
class.
▪ You can expect sensitivity to your child’s
unique learning style and social emotional
needs as well as support for your child in
leadership, creative and critical thinking,
and organizational skills
SJCSD Gifted Services
▪ http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/es
e/gifted/
▪ Please click here forGifted
ScreeningTimeline.
▪ New this year: Ms. Amy Brim
will be serving our class as the
itinerant gifted teacher
focusing on social/emotional
needs.
Wondering if
your child is
gifted? Click
here.
Some great resources for parents of gifted and bright children are:
hoagiesgifted.org, PrufrockPress.com, and http://www.davidsongifted.org/

25. A Word on Homework
▪ 40- 50 minutes per night- does
not include Independent
Reading time
▪ Assigned as needed
▪ Serves two purposes:
1. Practice skills/strategies learned
in class
2. Reinforces responsibility
▪ Homework is always posted in
the classroom and your child
should write homework in their
planner exactly as it is written;
also posted in Edmodo
▪ Homework is subject to change
Homework Help: “Ask BeforeTell”
Parents, before you explain how to do a
homework problem, you should ask your student
to first explain how they did it .This might help the
student in figuring out the answer or you can use
what you heard to help provide assistance by
asking the following questions:
• What is the problem asking you to figure out?
What is the problem about?
• What words are confusing?What words are
familiar?
• Have you solved problems like this one before?
• What have you tried so far? What else can you
try?
• Can you make a drawing or chart to help you
think about the problem?
• Does your answer make sense?
• Is there more than one answer?
• What math words or steps do you use in class?

26. Burning Questions?
▪ We will collect index cards and answer all questions FAQ-style to the
class group or email you directly with student-specific questions