Ms. Dedra Lamb, Home

Ms. Dedra Lamb

5th Grade Instructor

Room 119

Our Learning Approach

The approach to learning in the kindergarten classroom is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Principles. Central to this approach is the image of the child as having unique strengths and potentials, and that the child has the right to construct the knowledge through exploration and interactions with their teachers and peers. Strong emphasis is given to cooperative collaborations and interactions in project work, the role of the families, the role of the classroom environment and the role of the teacher. The Reggio principles are combined with that of the Responsive Classroom to create a classroom environment that nurtures character and caring, as well as, provides dynamic learning opportunities for all children.

Schedule

7:50- 8:00- Welcome students and unpack for day

8:00- 8:15- Morning Work

8:15- 8:20- Good morning song

8:20- 8:30- Calendar and number of day activities

8:30- 8:45- Whole Group Phonics Lesson

8:45- 9:05- Phonics Activities

9:05- 10:00- Literacy Stations

10:00- 10:25- Writing/ Literature Activity

10:25- 10:55- Lunch

10:55- 11:25- Specials (Monday is Art until 11:55)

11:25- 11:40- Read Aloud

11:40- 12:10- Whole Group Math Lesson

12:10- 12:45- Math Activities

12:45- 1:20- Free Center Play

1:20- 1:50- PE (Tuesday- Friday)

1:50- 2:00- Snack

2:00- 2:30- Outside Play

2:30- 3:00- Discovery (Science or Social Studies)

Schedule is subject to change for Special Projects and other learning opportunities
Fifth Grade School Supply List

Fifth Grade School Supply List
2021-2022

 1 Pack of Wide Rule Paper*
 1 Pencil Pouch to store in seat sack (Pencil boxes will not fit)
 One pack of colored erasable pens (Unpack and place in pencil pouch)
 Mechanical pencils or 2 packs of sharpened regular #2 pencils (Unpack 1 pack and place
in pencil pouch. Send the second pack in to be stored for later use, please plan to
replenish as needed)
 1 Pack of Fine Tip Markers (unpack and place in pencil pouch)
 1 Pack of Colored Pencils (unpack and place in pencil pouch)
 3 Expo brand fine point Dry Erase markers (any color) *
 4 Glue sticks (Unpack and place one in pencil pouch, second glue stick will go in class
supply)
 1 pair of scissors *
 2 highlighters- any color*
 4 composition notebooks (1 red, the other 3 should be plain composition notebooks any
color, please do not send spiral bound notebooks).
 3 boxes of tissues (one for specials classes) *
 2 regular size sticky note pads*
 1 Pack of Band-Aids*
 1 Container of Clorox Wipes
 1 Roll of paper towels
 1 Pair of durable headphones for the computer lab/iPads.
 1 small backpack. Students will have a hook to store their backpack and other personal
belongings.

*Supplies will be shared by all students

Additional Options: These are not required but would be appreciated.

Extra Scissors Extra Markers
Extra Pencils Colored Expo Markers
Expo Spray Sheet Protectors
Large lined Post-its Small Post-its
Ziploc bags (any size, any brand) Colored Pencils
Extra Highlighters
Policies and Procedures

Welcome to 5th Grade! We are very excited to work with your children!

Please review and sign the 5th Grade Policies and Procedures as well as the University School
Student Handbook. Sign and Return the attached page to school.

Parent Communication:
We will primarily use email to communicate with you. Please include any email addresses on
the attached form that you would like to use to receive updates.

We would also like for you to sign up for Bloomz. This is a communication App. Directions are
attached to this packet. Our class code is 387TZP. We will use this app to send important
reminders or to communicate when we aren’t able to access our email distribution list.

If you ever have any parent concerns or questions, feel free to email us. We are also happy to
meet throughout the school year when necessary. We just ask that you arrange an
appointment either through e-mail or by calling the office and leaving a message.

Homework:
Students will be assigned nightly homework Monday-Thursday. Homework is due the morning
after it is assigned. We assign homework to help students practice and review skills that are
learned in class. In addition to homework, we also expect students to read self-selected texts at
home, and study for tests and quizzes at home. Students will receive a planner to record
assignments and other important information along with a homework folder to hold their
assignments. Please check the planner and homework folder nightly for assignments or other
information. We do not usually take homework for a grade, but we do collect, check, and
record homework for a completion grade. Students who do not turn homework in the morning
will be required to complete the homework during recess. Assigned homework should take
around 30 minutes each night.

Grades:
As in 4th grade, your child will receive a letter grade in the following subjects each 9 week term:
Math, Reading/Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Your student will take the TN Ready
Achievement test.

Grading Scale:
93-100=A
85-92=B
75-84=C
70-74=D
Below 70=F

Grades will be recorded in PowerSchool (an online grading system). We try to stay as up-todate with grading as possible. If you see that we have made a mistake in the grade book please
e-mail us so we can check on the issue. Grades will come from weekly assessments, quizzes,
tests, class assignments, and projects.

Graded work is typically sent home on Friday. It is important to look through graded work with
your child rather than solely looking at grades on PowerSchool. Feedback is provided on
assignments that can help students understand what mistakes they made. It is important to
understand that students receive extra teacher support on classwork assignments based on the
needs of each child. Teacher support is not provided on assessments. Assessment grades are a
good indication of what your child can do independently.

Students will lose points on assignments if an assignment is missing a name. Late work is
accepted but points are taken off for each day that the work is late. Missing work will receive a
zero. Students will also lose points when their work is not written in complete sentences.

Responsibility:
Students are responsible for bringing their planner, homework folder, and any
assignments that are due that day. If assignments are not turned in at the beginning of the day
they will be counted as late and points will be deducted from the score.

Attendance:
It is important to strive for great attendance. Absent children will miss pertinent
information and experiences. Some experiences are hard to achieve through “make-up work”
at home. We do however understand that illness and family responsibilities occur throughout
the year. Please notify the office if your child is going to be absent. You will also need to send a
note when your child returns to school documenting the excuse for the absence. Your child will
be given an opportunity to complete make-up work when they return. It is their responsibility
to get their makeup work and turn it in. You are also welcome to e-mail us in the event of the
absence so that we can send make-up work to the office for a sibling or parent to pick up.

Behavior:
It is our goal to create a caring, comfortable, respectful learning environment for all children.
To achieve this type of environment students will work together to determine classroom rules
as well as their hopes and dreams for fifth grade. Once rules are established, modeled, and
revised if necessary, students will be expected to follow the rules. When students do not follow
the classroom rules they will be asked to “take a break” so they can focus and reflect on their
choices. If your child is asked to take a break more than 3 times in one day, We will notify you
by e-mail or with a phone call. More severe behavior issues will be addressed by
administration. Behavior plans will be made if necessary.

Birthdays:
Birthday treats are always welcome in 5th Grade! We do ask that if you plan on bringing a
birthday treat for your child that you notify us at least a day in advance. We prefer not to
pass out birthday invitations at school unless all students in the class are invited. We
understand that it isn’t always feasible to invite the whole class, we just ask that if that is your
plan you send invitations outside of school. It is never fun to be the one that feels left out at
school.

***Please sign and date the attached from. Signing the form will indicate that you and your
child have read, understand, and agree to abide by the fifth grade and University School
Handbook policies and procedures. Please include any e-mail addresses you would like
included in our group contact list.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the policies. We will have
a successful, exciting school year. We look forward to getting to know you and your child!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Lowery and Mrs. Lamb
loweryar@etsu.edu
lambdl@etsu.edu

Please sign and return:

*I have read the class information above and understand the class homework, grading, and
behavior policy for fourth grade.

*Child’s name _____________________________________________________________

*Parent’s name_____________________________________________________________

*Parent’s Signature__________________________________________________________

*Child Signature_____________________________________________________________

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