This document provides information for students on their first day of fifth grade with Mrs. T.G. It outlines the daily schedule, classroom expectations, grading policies, and ways for students and parents to contact the teacher. The teacher introduces herself and her family. Students are expected to arrive on time, keep their desks and lockers organized, and follow classroom procedures for bathroom breaks, lining up, and completing homework.

1. WELCOME to your first day in Fifth Grade! 5TG 2009-2010

2. Opening Questions What are you looking forward to? What are you NOT looking forward to?

3. Meet Mrs. T.G. I’ve been teaching since 1993. I have a Master’s Degree in curriculum and instruction. I taught 2 nd grade for 12 years. Iv’e been teaching 5 th Grade since 2007. I am also the K-5 Reading/ Language Arts Curriculum Committee Specialist for MOC-FV Schools. This one will surprise you… I am not perfect. (Gasp!) I WILL mess up. I don’t expect YOU to be perfect, don’t expect ME to be either. 

4. “ Meet” Mrs. T.G.’s Family My husband, Scott, is a farmer and also owns the “Snack Shack” which serves food at area auctions. We LOVE going to all kinds of ball games together. My daughter, Natalie, is in 9 th grade and just starting high school. She’s into playing any kind of BALL sports. My son, Kyle, is in 4th grade. He is into anything ACTIVE!

5. And now… down to business!

6. Starting the Day 7:50-8:25 Breakfast is served HOSPERS TOWN KIDS MUST BE IN LINE BEFORE 8:00. BUS KIDS* MUST HUSTLE TO GET TO IN LINE ASAP. I EXPECT YOU TO CHECK IN BY PUTTING PLANNER ON YOUR DESK BEFORE YOU GO TO EAT AND I EXPECT YOU TO BE BACK IN THIS ROOM BY 8:25 .

7. Our Classroom Floor: Let’s keep it clean, please. Even if it’s not your mess, pick it up. Seat sacks empty and chairs up ready for the vacuum cleaner each day except Wednesday. Anything left on the floor may just disappear . Desks: Keep them neat and organized and every Wednesday they must be clear for cleaning. NO stickers on desk and ASK before you tape anything. Supplies: If you need something, check the “free” basket first (yours to KEEP) or BORROW from Mrs. T.G. and then WRITE YOURSELF A REMINDER NOTE stating what it is that you need. You may also ASK to send a reminder email to your parents.

8. Starting the Day 8:00 Classroom opens I may be in the room preparing for class, but please give me the time alone I need to do just that. I love to see your SMILING faces, but not until 8:00 . Please place your planner ON TOP of your desk when you arrive so I can quietly take attendance. 8:10 Attendance taken and class begins You will be counted tardy if you are not in the classroom at 8:10. BE ON TIME and be prepared to have a GOOD day! (In other words, have a POSITIVE attitude!)  8:10-8:30 Morning Meeting 8:30 5TG goes to Mr. Puttmann’s room for Math and Science until recess at 10:30.

9. Your Desk What to keep in desk: Things you need all the time… paper, pencil, notebooks, reading binder, school books, etc. What not to keep in desk: - Corrected papers (take them home!) ALL PAPERS THAT ARE TO GO HOME BELONG IN YOUR SEAT SACK. Don’t even THINK about leaving them in your book bag, either!  -TOYS (or anything that you choose to play with in class) DO NOT BELONG IN YOUR DESK. Mrs. T.G. will be happy to hold anything that distracts you until the last day of school. Other people will be sitting at your desk. *PLEASE KEEP YOUR DESK NEAT AND ORGANIZED.  Don’t leave valuable items in your desk at all.

10. Lockers Please keep your locker neat and organized. Respect your locker mates! You may hang pictures INSIDE using magnets but not on the outside. NO inappropriate pictures, please. *Photos of any “Super Star” with a “M” or “mature” rating are NOT appropriate at school. The clip on the outside is for reminder notes and should be empty at the end of the day.

11. Mrs. T.G.’s Stuff You may only use my laptop with permission. My teacher locker: You MAY get a plastic bag when you need one. You may also get paper towels when you need them. Again, also feel free to take things from the “free” box, just don’t be greedy. Also , please DONATE items whenever possible.

12. Q uickly and Q uietly Line up for switching Q UICKLY AND Q UIETLY Line up for lunch Q UICKLY AND Q UIETLY Line up after recess QUICKLY AND QUIETLY I expect that you will line up IMMEDIATELY when the whistle is blown. LINE UP ANYTIME Q UICKLY AND Q UIETLY WALK DOWN THE HALL AFTER LUNCH Q UICKLY AND Q UIETLY Yes, you HAVE to go out OUR recess doors-NOT the Kindergarten doors.

13. Bathroom You are FIFTH graders. Please use the bathroom at the designated times: BEFORE the 8:10 bell rings. BEFORE you go out for recess. BEFORE going down to lunch BEFORE we line up to go somewhere. Don’t ask after anything. If you have an emergency signal me and I’ll PROBABLY let you go.

14. Telling Time Recess is at 10:30, after math & science. Lunch is at 12:10. Mr. Puttmann and I both know how to tell time. 

15. Schedule CLICK “SCHEDULE” TO SEE A COPY Please post your copy of our schedule somewhere at home or in your planner where you and your parents can check it. If you forget your tennis shoes on PE days, you MUST get an extra pair from Mrs. K’s stash of shoes BEFORE you go for noon recess! Write a note so you remember! She has a REWARD program again this year for each CLASS.

16. STUDY HALL TIME As you can see from our schedule, we don’t have “Study Hall” scheduled. However, we will have a few minutes here and there to work quietly on homework. USE your time wisely!  IF you find yourself with any free time, please use it to READ, WRITE, or STUDY! Also, remember, Mr. Puttmann and I are here to HELP you please feel free to ASK questions!

17. BIRTHDAYS You may bring treats if you’d like. We have 18 students in the class. We’ll PLAN on our summer birthdays being celebrated on HALF b-days. We will do a 10-15 minute birthday game sometime during the day.

18. Holidays You will be placed on a committee: Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s. Your group will be responsible for treats and games.

19. Grades For Reading Reading Binder & Daily Work 40% Independent Reading (AR) 25% Tests/Quizzes 25% Participation 10% For Spelling Tests 85% Assignments 15% For Language Arts Completed Writing Projects 40% Writer’s Notebook 30% Assignments 20% Participation 10%

20. Grades For Social Studies, Science, & Math Tests/Quizzes 60% Assignments 40%

21. END OF THE DAY 3:00 Fill in homework on web site AND in planners ( http://hospers5th.shutterfly.com ) FILLING IN YOUR PLANNER IS NOT OPTIONAL! 3:05 Get your seat sack emptied, desk clean, chair up (except on Wednesdays), and make sure you have your homework ready. That includes having an AR book. 3:10 Town kids dismissed. Go directly home. Do NOT cut around the buses. 3:13ISH Bus kids will walk out AFTER 4 th grade. I’ll walk with you as far as I feel necessary for you to remember to walk, hopefully that won’t be all the way to your seat on the bus. 

22. QUESTIONS I will do my BEST to answer ALL questions and to do so without making fun of you or the question. Please don’t ever be afraid to ask Mr. Puttmann or me a question. Any questions? 

23. Final Word… I LOVE teaching and I truly am looking forward to this year. 5 th graders are great, a little WEIRD maybe, but I do really enjoy seeing you all every day! Let’s work together to make this a great year! After all, this is your LAST year in elementary school! SAVOR IT!

24. Contact Info for Mrs. T.G. Phone School:712-752-8480 Home: 712-752-8641 Cell: 712-230-0470 (only if necessary) Email: School: [email_address] Home: [email_address]