Jody Richards Elementary

Welcome to 5th Grade!

Mission Statement

Begin with the End in Mind . . . College,

Career,

and Citizenship ready!

5th Grade Team

Mrs. Kim Taylor– Language Arts teacher

Mrs. Laura Terry– Math teacher

Mrs. Dana Baize- Science Teacher

Mr. Roger Watt– Social Studies teacher

Mrs. Taylor

• I love to read. I’m so excited to get to share this with my students.

• Prior to teaching at Jody Richards, I taught at Moss Middle School and Rockfield Elementary.

• This is my 23rd year teaching.• I have a Master’s Degree in education and

a Rank I in Administration.• I am married and we have a son who is

going into 5th grade.

Language Arts

• We will be using the newest edition of the Scott Foresman reading series.

• We will work on basic reading skills, spelling, grammar, and conventions of writing.

• Students will be pushed to extend their thinking through individualized instruction whenever possible.

• I encourage students to read regularly at home to improve vocabulary and build fluency.

Mrs. Terry

• I LOVE Math! • I have been teaching for 7 years. This is my

seventh year teaching 5th grade Math! My previous school was Rich Pond Elem.

• I am a WKU graduate with my Bachelors and Masters in Elementary Education.

• I have a husband, beautiful daughter & son, and two dogs.

• I am very excited to be a Rocket and part of this beautiful school and staff!

Math• We will be using the GO Math series this year. – Ties directly to Core Content– Very student friendly– Online support for students to log in at home

• Students are taught based on their ability of content. Small groups and centers will be used almost daily.

• Hands on activities, projects, pre & post assessments will be used

• Target the Question– Weekly assignments designed to practice real life

application of math and multi-step problems

Mr. Watt

• This will be my 19th year teaching Social Studies.

• I have taught at Warren East Middle and Natcher Elementary.

• I have a Bachelor’s degree in Middle School Education, a Master’s degree in Middle School Education, and a Rank I in General Education.

• I have been married for 30 years to my beautiful wife, Ellen. We have a daughter named Holly.

Social Studies

• We will focus on Economics and Geography to begin the year.

• By Christmas, we will be beginning the Constitution and will end the year with the Civil War.

• We will be using Social Studies Alive.

Mrs. Baize

• I am so excited to be teaching at JRES! It is an awesome school with amazing teachers and students.

• I have taught in Ohio County for 16 years, and science is my favorite! Science is everywhere!

• My Bachelor’s degree is in Elementary Education, and my Master’s degree is in Educational Leadership. I also have my Rank 1 in Ed. Administration, all are from WKU.

• I am married and have a son in 4th grade.• This is going to be a FUN year!

Science• Science content covered

this year will consist of physical, life, earth, and biological science.

• Scott Foresman series will be used with all students.

• Experiments, hands on activities, small group, class discussions, and notes will be conducted in class.

• Jody Richards Elementary will be a Leader in Me school.

• There are informative links on our school webpage that you can use to become better informed.

• Ask your children to share what they have learned about the 7 Habits.

Data Notebook

• Students will need a 1 inch binder for their Data Notebook.

• Students will track their progress in each class using this binder. They will also use it to reflect on their day and create goals.

• Notebooks will go home daily so that you can be informed on your child’s progress.

• Please use this as a way to discuss your child’s goals and help them create new ones.

Schedule

• Schedule of our day is in the Open House folder on a purple sheet.

• Use this to help plan throughout the year with doctor appointments, lunch visits, etc.

• Please be aware that our schedule will sometimes change due to assemblies, holidays, etc.

Snack/Lunch

• Students may bring a healthy snack. • Snacks are optional.• Students may bring in a water bottle

to have at their seats. Only plain water, please.

• Please refer to the schedule for lunch times.

Homework and Grading

• Students will not necessarily have homework every night, but it will be given when needed.

• Homework is also given based on how the student is grasping a concept. Homework assignments may vary according to student ability levels at that time.

• Grades will be given for class assignments, homework, tests, and projects.

• Infinite Campus will be used to for all student record keeping. Student progress can also be monitored in the Data Notebooks.

Discipline• We will be using a Clipchart this year for our school

wide discipline plan. • This is a great concept where students can recover if

they did have a consequence earlier in the day. • Students will have an end of the week average and a

reflection sheet This will be sent home every Friday so you can see how your child is doing at school.

• The Clipchart reflection sheet is in the Open House packet.

• Students will earn fun activities at mid-term and end of quarter by maintaining a 3.75 average or higher on their behavior chart.

• A red Outstanding note will go home to reward for getting to the Top of the chart at “Outstanding”!

• Please visit this website to learn more about our discipline system. http://www.newmanagement.com/ebooks/pdf/clip_chart_ebook.pdf

Restroom Breaks

• There will be multiple scheduled restroom breaks throughout the day.

• Students will need to use these breaks when we go as a class so they maximize their learning time.

• Each student will get 2 emergency passes a week.

• If your child has a condition that may need special circumstances, please contact us about it.

Transportation

• Make sure to fill out the 1st Day of school transportation form!

• If your child will be a bus rider, double check bus numbers and driver.

• If there is a ever a transportation change for your child, please send in a note that morning.

• We would love for you to help in our classrooms!

• Please fill out the volunteer form if you would like to help!

• Don’t forget to let us know if you have a special talent we could use! (artist, musician, crafter, etc)

Parent Communication

• Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

• Email will have the quickest response. However, you may call the school too.

• Contact Information– Mrs. Taylor – kim.taylor@warren.kyschools.us– Mrs. Terry – laura.terry@warren.kyschools.us– Mr. Watt – roger.watt@warren.kyschools.us– Mrs. Baize – dana.baize@warren.kyschools.us

• School phone #– 270.904.1901