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Ms. Neu's 5th Grade Class

Welcome to the 5th Grade
Accelerated Independent Learner (AIL) Classroom

Our classroom is a data based classroom that is driven by a science of teaching.  Students in our class are grouped by skills they have already mastered so that the needs of all of our students can be met.  These groups are fluid and students move from one to another as they acquire new skills.  Although students may progress at different rates, they all work on the same district and state curricular objectives.  Students accelerate through the curriculum at their own pace.  Students independently track their progress by recording their own data and by setting their own academic and social goals.  All student responses are graphed individually per subject and as a class.

Our instruction focuses on active student responding. To keep students engaged and learning, we utilize instructional tactics such as choral responding (when all students respond vocally at one time) and response boards (all students respond on white boards at one time).  Our students also engage in peer tutoring, in which students take turns teaching one another.

Students earn classroom points in four domains: learning skills, organization, academic, and citizenship.  These points are traded in for leisure time.  Leisure time activities can include reading, puzzles, and games.

The classroom is comprised of a classroom teacher, a Ph.D. student at Columbia University, and 1-2 Masters level students who also attend Columbia University.  Our classroom receives weekly hands-on supervision by Dr. R. D. Greer, a professor at the University for over 40 years and Dr. Delgado, a graduate of the program and an assistant professor at the University as well.  A recent article about the AIL program is available on this site. Click here to read the article.

If you have any questions regarding our classroom, please do not hesitate to email me: jessica.neu@msdk12.net or stop by room 22 anytime.

Click here to see our daily schedule.

 

Reading and Writing

 

During reading and writing workshop and word study, all students have independent reading books, which they are required to generate book reports following each completed book.  Students are encouraged to read both fiction and non-fiction books at their “Just Right” reading level.  Students are also assessed on their rate of reading and work on their reading fluency with an instructor or a peer. During both reading and writing, workshop mini-lessons are presented to address reading and writing goals and objectives.  Those skills are then reinforced during small group and 1:1 teacher and student conferences.

During word study, students are divided into three groups: Within Word Patterns, Syllables and Affixes, and Derivational.  Students are pre-assessed prior to each spelling sort and focus on sorts that present an area of deficit for each individual student or small group.  The students sort the words in various spelling groups, peer tutor each other until mastery criterion, and then are given a post-assessment.

 

Assignment Reminders

  • Reading logs are due in school daily.  The log should note the date, title of the book, the author, the pages read, and a signature or an initial by an adult.  Students are expected to read for about 25 minutes each night.  A blank reading log is available for you to download. Click here to download the Reading Log.

Tips on how to choose a “Just Right” reading book:

1. Choose a book in a series or by an author that you have enjoyed in the past

2. Read the back cover

3. Look at the illustrations on the front cover

4. Choose a book according to genre (i.e. fiction, non-fiction, biography, fantasy, mystery)

5. Choose a book that has been recommended by a friend

6. Use the five finger rule: if you cannot read five or more words on the first page of your book, you may want to choose a book that is slightly less challenging

  • Students now have access to the Everyday Math© website from home.  All students have a log in and password, which can be found on a card that has been taped to the inside of their Alexander Hamilton take home folders.  The website allows students to play games that correspond to past, present, and future math objectives.

    Remember to use the HSCE problem-solving protocol to solve story problems:

    1. Highlighting: underline key questions, circle the numbers and number the parts of the problem

    2. Solve: create a number sentence, draw a picture and solve the problem

    3. Circle: circle the solution, look back at the question, and check that you have answered all of the parts

    4. Explain your answer using complete sentences, using the words first, second, and third
 

Homework Information and Guidelines

Homework is sent home each night Monday through Thursday and typically consists of the following:
1. 20 minutes of independent reading, using a book from home or school, a reading log must be initialed by a guardian each night and copies of the log can be found on our classroom web page
2. A math worksheet or Everyday Math journal page, or another assignment presented by your child’s math teacher
3. A reading or social studies worksheet

Homework should consist of material that has been already learned in school and should be completed independently at home. If your child is having difficulty with the levels or contents of homework sent home, please let me know and I will happily send alternative assignments home.

Homework is publicly posted in our classroom to keep students motivated to complete their assignments. As with all grade 5 classrooms, if students fail to complete 3 homework assignments, detention with Mrs. Noone will be scheduled after school.

Last Updated 1/3/2012