This document provides an overview of Mrs. Z-Hicks's fifth grade class for the 2013-2014 school year at Mark Twain Elementary. It details her teaching experience and qualifications, the daily schedule including subjects like math, science, and social studies. It outlines the IB units of inquiry covered and grading policies. It also provides information about technology used in the classroom and opportunities for parent involvement.

1. Welcome to
Mrs. Zamarripa-Hicks’s Class
Fifth Grade 2013-2014
Mark Twain Elementary

2. Who is Mrs. Z-Hicks?
• Taught 15 years
• Taught IB for 13 of 15 years
• Taught Early Childhood 8 of 15 years
• Reading Instructional Coordinator
• IB Coordinator
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Certified ESL/Bilingual Teacher PK-6, ELA 4-8,
• Taught at Mark Twain for 7 years (DL & ELL)
• Mother of Two Boys (High School and Elementary)
• Passionate about Learning and Teaching

3. Daily Schedule
7:50-8:15 Morning Work
8:15-9:00 Ancillary
9:00-10:30 Math Workshop
10:30-11:30 Science
11:30-12:14 Social Studies
12:14-12:44 Recess
12:44-1:14 Lunch
1:14-2:15 Reading Workshop
2:15-2:50 Language Arts (Vocab, Grammar, Spelling)
2:50-3:10 Study Hall (Safety Patrol leaves @ 3:05)
3:10-3:15 Prepare for Dismissal
3:15 Dismissal
•

4. IB Units of Inquiry
• IB @ Home
• How the world Works-Inquiry
• How we Express Ourselves- Perspectives
• How We Organize Ourselves- Government
• Sharing the Planet-Earth and Life Science
• Who We Are-Migration
• Where We Are in Time & Place- Exhibition

5. Math- Tested on Friday
Math Workshop: Homogenous Workstations
(M: Math Facts/A: At your desk (homework) T: Teacher works with small
group H: Hands on Game for Skill
Whole Group Concept, Guided Practice, Independent Practice,
Problem Solving- STAAR
Curriculum: Envision- Pearson Success Online
• TEKS aligned
• Multiple Choice Responses
• Structured
Supplement: Everyday Math
• Hands On Activities/Games
• Open-Ended
• Critical Thinking
• Challenging

6. Science- Tested on Tuesday
Textbook- Reading Strategies
• Notetaking, StemScopes
2 Units of Inquiry
• How the World Works-Physical Science
• Sharing the Planet- Earth and Life
STAAR
• Vocabulary- Vocabee
• Experiments
• Grade Level Rotations

7. Social Studies
Tested on Wednesday
Textbook & Videos
• Reading Strategies
• Notetaking- Sentence, Webs, Cornell-Method, Outline
• Logical Sequence
Independent Investigation Method
7 Steps to Research- implemented K-5th
2 Units of Inquiry
• Government, Migration
Current Events
• 5 Students Each Week beginning 2nd week in September

8. LUNCH & RECESS
• Lunch Boxes
• Cafeteria Accounts: www.houstonisd.org/twaines
• Birthdays
• Eating with child and 1 other friend
• Eating in classroom
• Team Sports- Everyone Plays
• Discipline Policy
• Homework

9. Reading- Tested on Thursday
Readers Workshop
R: Reading Strategy Skill E: Engage in Reading
A: Assess your learning D: Discuss learning
• Comprehension Skill/Comprehension Strategy based on Pearson
Success- every Student has Log in
• Consists of independent reading- Student Choice/Reflections
• Reading- LDC
• Chapter Books, Leveled Books, Books of All Genres
• Reading in Groups- Lexile Level- Fluency- Comprehension Level
• Conferring with Teacher- Monitor Progress
• STAAR Reading Test
• Stanford Reading
• Reading selections are aligned with our Units of Inquiry

10. Language Arts- Tested on Monday
Curriculum
• Spelling from our Basal- Reading Street
• Vocabulary: Word Explorer
• Stems/Roots: Latin/Greek roots that help with vocabulary
• Grammar Exercises- English Workbook, Write Source, Daily
Language Review
Writing-
• Research Papers
• Reflection Journals
Media Unit of Inquiry

11. Dismissal
• Safety Patrol/Study Hall
• Tutoring- Extra Help
• Review HW in Agendas
• Check Backpacks
• No one Returns Policy…so make sure you have
everything
• Car Riders & Walkers – Cafeteria
• Extended Day- 5th Grade Hallway
• YMCA/Bus Riders to Front Rotunda

12. Grading Policy & Mgmt. System
Fall Semester
• 50% Formative (Class Work, Quizzes)
• 50% Summative (Tests, Projects, IB Summatives)
Spring Semester
• 40% Formative
• 60% Summative
Re-do Policy
• See Handout
• Mondays during Recess
• Afterschool from 3:15-3:45
• Classroom Management System (Class Dojo)
• Essential Agreements, Rewards, Consequences

13. Technology in Classroom
Class Website- www.fifthgrademtzhicks.weebly.com
• Labtops, I-Pads, tablets may be brought with permission for educational
purposes. Headphones should be cheap and kept in backpack
• Flashdrives/email accounts/Drop-Box access are required for saving
documents
• Students will not be allowed to bring electronics for non-educational purposes
• Parent Blog- Weekly Communication
• Remind 101: Daily Homework Reminders
• LivingTree: Accept Invitation for access to Class Calendar
• Pictures on Class Website under Picture Gallery
• Fifth Grade Website-www.fifthgrademt.weebly.com
• Mark Twain Website-www.houstonisd.org/twaines

14. Last but not least….
Parents in Classroom
Middle School Mania
Conferences:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri. – 8:20- 8:50
Sign Up Genius
Room Parents
• Shannon Hayes and Maria Keene
• Other Volunteers and Volunteer Opportunities
Questions??
Thank you for Attending!