Mrs. Epsteins Fifth Grade Welcome to the Investigator Room
Slide 2
What is a Investigator? Fifth graders, in our class, are
expected to give 110% to their work in and out of class. Thus, if
they cannot find an answer the first time, they are to modify their
strategy until they are successful. Investigative strategies will
be shared in class verbally and in written form. A variety of
strategies will be taught throughout the school year in all
subjects. Investigators will to continue to be life-long
learners.
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The best way to contact Mrs. Epstein Please call Mrs. Epstein
if there is an emergency, parents are leaving town, and/or there is
a change in family dynamic. Cell Phone: 277-1838 Please email Mrs.
Epstein for questions about homework, to inform the her what you
are bringing for parties, and/or to ask questions about up- coming
events. Email:
[email protected]@interact.ccsd.net Please see
Mrs. Epstein on Fridays prior to the start of school. She is
available as early as 7:45 AM. We have an open door policy, so
please feel free to visit during the day, too. Please check in with
our fabulous office staff prior to visiting our class.
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The Investigator Website Please add the Investigator Website to
your favorites on your computer:
http://my.ccsd.net/tikaepstein/http://my.ccsd.net/tikaepstein/ This
website has a plethora of websites and information regarding our
class.
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Fifth Grade Planner Expectations Each Investigator has been
given a Planner compliments of our PTO. Each student is to have
his/her Planner daily to write down his/her homework and important
notes. They will be checked daily. Parents/Guardians must sign it
daily. Please check to see if your child has checked off the
homework as he/she has completed it. If your child does not have
his/her Planner, he/she will write his/her homework on separate
piece of paper and then staple it into the Planner. If your child
does not have his/her Planner for three days in a row, Mrs. Epstein
will call and/or email you to investigate further. Replacement
Planners cost $5.
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CHAMPS Our school wide positive behavior management is the
nationally recognized program called CHAMPS. CHAMPS will be used in
our class daily. Investigators will know the expectations of each
lesson to ensure the optimal learning experience. Conversation Can
the students talk to each other during this activity? Help How do
students get the teachers attention or get their questions
answered? Activity What is the task/objective? What is this
finished product? Movement Can students move about during the
activity? If so, where? Participation How do students show they are
fully participating? What does work behavior look and sound like?
Success When students meet the CHAMPS expectations they will be
successful!
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Homework Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday.
Homework will always be written on the white board. It will consist
of the following: 30 minutes of reading (please make sure it is a
novel that is grade appropriate). Please refer to the attached list
for more information. 7-10 math problems and/or studying for an
assessment (This will cover what we have learned in class that day,
and it may cover objectives we have covered in the past.) One
Vocabulary Assignment Great American Award studying *Homework
should not exceed one hour. (This does not include the reading
expectation of 30 minutes or any on-going projects.) If the
homework does exceed one hour please have your child email Mrs.
Epstein. Please check your childs homework for completion. If you
believe they have completed work incorrectly, please explain to
him/her that he/she has some wrong. Please do not correct your
childs homework. We will go over it in class daily. *Investigators
will write their name and the date on the upper right hand side of
his/her paper.
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Project Expectations Projects are an important part of your
childs education. They enrich what has been taught in class as well
teach the children responsibility, organization, and analytical
thinking. Students will be expected to use Microsoft (or a similar
program) and/or the internet. Your child is to do this work by
themselves. Please just assist him/her if there are technical
difficulties. Projects will be assigned monthly. Your child will be
given a rubric to follow as they complete the project. Mrs. Epstein
will also check for completion throughout the assignment.
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The Great American Award The Great American Award is a fifth
grade award that can be earned by any dedicated student. The
expectations and due date for the award are listed in your childs
Planner. Your child should be working on the expectations daily.
Students will be able to test on Fridays and/or when parent helpers
are available. Students who earn the award will be recognized on
our Great American board and during Fifth Grade Celebration with a
plaque.
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Daily Assignment Expectations Investigators will begin each
assignment with the following on the upper right hand side of the
their papers: First and Last Name Complete Date (Month, Day, and
Year) Assignment or Objective (Please write what is modeled on the
board. All work is to be completed neatly. All assignments (except
math) will be completed in cursive.
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Specialists Schedule Please remind your child to wear athletic
shoes on PE days. Please remember we do have first hour specials.
Thus, it is extremely important your child is at school on time. If
your child is late, please have him/her check in with the office
and then proceed directly to the correct special.
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Investigator Economy Part 1 Investigators earn money the
following ways: *$1 per homework assignment. *$5 per day for
excellent daily behavior. *$25 achieving Great American Status
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Investigator Economy Part 2 Investigators will pay for the
following events and/or supplies: *$2 per missing homework
assignment *$10 per week for messy desk. *$10 per Investigator
Ticket Investigators will be able to purchase a variety of items
each month from Mrs. Epstein.
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Homework Violations Students who dont complete their homework
to Mrs. Epsteins expectations (ie: writing in complete sentences,
showing his/her work, completing all of the problems, etc.) will
complete a Homework Violation Form. The completed form will be
given to Mrs. Epstein at the beginning of class. Then the form will
be given back to the student. The student is to give it to his/her
parent to sign. Then the student is to return the signed form and
the homework the following day. Failure to return the form and the
late homework will result in a fine of $10. Parents should not
bring their childs homework to school. Bringing your childs
homework doesnt promote responsibility.
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Class Constitution Violations The Investigators have written a
Class Constitution that has been signed by each student. If a
student chooses to violate any law that is outlined in the
constitution, he/she will earn a warning. If a student chooses to
violate any law a second time, in one day, he/she will earn a
second warning. If a student chooses to violate any law a third
time, in one day, he/she will complete a Investigator Ticket. The
Investigator Ticket will be sent home the day of the violation.
Parents/Guardians are to review the ticket and then sign it. The
student is responsible for returning it the next day or the next
available day if it is a weekend. Failure to return the ticket will
result in a fine of $15.
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Parent Volunteers Parents/Guardian helpers are an important
part to our learning environment. If you would like to make copies,
test students for The Great American Award, or assist with
parties/events, please sign-up on the Parent/Guardian Helper
Form.
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Investigator Marbles It is imperative we work as a team to
ensure our class is successful. Each time the Investigators earn
positive points from the Specialists, they complete team work
efficiently, and/or they support each other, they will earn 3
marbles. Once the marble jar is full, the Investigators will earn a
variety of incentives.
Slide 18
Earning Mechanical Pencils Please save all Box Tops that are
found on a variety of products. Each time your child brings in 10
Box Tops, he or she will earn a mechanical pencil. Each time a
student completes two reading logs, he/she earns a mechanical
pencil.