For Parents

Parent Info.  -   Schedule  -   Grading  -   Homework  -   Edmodo  -  BYOT  -  Curriculum

Parent Info.

Here you will find information on our curriculum, programs, and other insights into our classroom. Use the links above to jump to each section.

Receive text updates and reminders to your phone through the Remind101 listserv by texting: @haralson to (617) 340-8672

2014-2015 Schedule

7:30-8:15 – Homeroom
8:15-8:55 – Specials
9:00-9:30 – Skills block
9:30-10:45 – Math
10:45-11:35 – Sci/Ss
11:35 – 12:05 – Lunch
12:05-12:25 – Recess
12:30-1:00- finish Sci/SS
1:00-2:15 – Reading/ELA
2:15-2:25 – homeroom/pack-up

Specials Schedule 

Monday: Music

Tuesday: Art

Wednesday: Drama

Thursday: Computer

Friday: PE

REACH will be on Monday

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Grading

Last year Coweta County adopted a weighted grading system for fifth grade.  There are four areas in which grades will be posted: Pretest, Present, Practice, and Tests.

·      Pretest will count for 0% of the final grade.  In this category, you may see any pre-unit assessments taken in the classroom.  They are not calculated into grades and are only posted for your information.

·      Present will make up 10% of the final grade.  This category will consist of anything that goes home (homework, projects, etc.), any notebook checks, and some class work. 

·      Practice makes up the largest percentage of the final grade with 75%.  This is the majority of class work and weekly quizzes, spiral reviews, or common assessments that are not unit tests. 

·      The test category makes up 15% of the final grade.  Any unit tests or other large assessment will be placed in this category. Policy for retests will be sent home at a later date.

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Homework

Students will do homework each night Monday-Thursday.  They have three choices for homework every night. It is due the following day, NOT at the end of the week.  Homework will be recorded in student agendas nightly.  In addition, students will receive a monthly calendar outlining when to expect flipped classroom assignments.  This is to help students plan ahead, but agendas should be checked nightly as other homework may be added, or dates changed based on classroom progress. 

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Edmodo for Parents

Edmodo has been a great addition to our classroom this year!  Several middle school teachers have noted that they use it frequently, so we were encouraged to try it out this year to help students become comfortable with using it before middle school.  The kids jumped in and have really enjoyed all that it has to offer!  I also love all of the positive feedback that I have received from parents who have said they love that they can see what we are doing in class through the videos, discussions, and reminders.

For those who are still unsure about edmodo, if you haven't made a parent account yet I would highly recommend that you do!  When your child logs in to his account, they will see a box that says "parent code" like the one to the right.  Use this code to create your own account by selecting "I'm a parent" on the login page.

After you have created an account, you will be able to see all of your child's progress, as well as class posts.  Below is a screenshot of what you will see when you log in. You will see if there are any new assignments, late assignments, or new "grades."  (Remember, any edmodo work done at home is not actually put in the gradebook, but work at school might be).

You can view their homework submissions and other progress by clicking on the planner link at the top and selecting the assignments.  When you click on an assignment it will show up like the image below:

When you click on "student turn ins" it will show the assignment.  If your child has turned it in already, you can click on their name on the left and view their submission like below:

Often, I will "grade" the homework and leave comments to help them while they are reviewing at home.  This is a great way to discuss what they are doing well and look at where they are making mistakes to continue the practice at home.



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BYOT

Bring your own Technology, or BYOT, is a wonderful program the county is supporting, which allows students to bring in their own devices for use at school.  Students use technology in their daily lives, so integrating it into the classroom provides students with additional learning opportunities that are engaging and applicable to their 21^st Century lives.  BYOT is simply another tool to be used for teaching purposes and will not be used for “play.”  Along with Mrs. Terrell (REACH), I piloted this program during the 2012-2013 year with my 3^rd grade students, and then implemented it again last year with my 5th graders.  All of the students loved using their technology in the classroom and it opened the door to many learning experiences we wouldn't have been able to achieve without the additional technology. 

With BYOT, students will not have free reign with their devices and teachers reserve the right to ask students to leave devices at home if they are not following classroom policies.  I will establish policies in class during the first week of school, after which students may begin bringing in devices each day as long as they have turned in their BYOT form. Technology will not be used every day, but students may bring their devices each day in case the need arises.  When not used, devices will remain in their bookbags.  To assist with security, I will lock my classroom when I am not present; however, students who bring in devices do so with the understanding that they are responsible for the safety of their own devices, per the user agreement.  We are asking that students do not bring in laptops, as they are more difficult to transport and keep secure.  In addition, students must know how to operate their devices prior to bringing them to school.   

Approved devices that would support learning: iPads or other tablets, iPod touches, smartphones, eReaders (nooks, kindles), etc.

Please know that this program is not mandatory.  You do not need to go out and buy a device for your child.  BYOT is an optional program that merely allows us to integrate more technology into our daily instruction.

In order for students to bring in devices, parents and students must read and sign the Coweta County BYOT user agreement.  This packet is a guide, which provides further information about the program as well as district policies, and can be found in your folder with your back to school forms. Please sign and return the last page in this packet if you would like for your student to bring his/her device to school.  If you need a new form, please email me and I will send another copy home. 

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Curriculum

For information on 5th Grade standards in Reading, ELA, Writing, and Math please use the app located on the right side of the screen.  Just click on the tab and select Math or ELA and then 5th grade to view our curriculum.  Or visit georgiastandards.org for more information. 


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