WELCOMEWHILE WE WAIT:

1. Please sign up for a Parent/Teacher conference (on back table)

2. If you have NOT already--please sign up for THREE newsletters:

~~my website Newsletter,

~~Miss Super’s website Newsletter, and

~~Shoemaker Newsletter

Thank you for coming tonight!

Ms. Liane Miksits

5th Grade

Shoemaker Elementary School

My Background• I began my teaching career here in East Penn in 1991 with a

double major degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education from Kutztown University.

• I received a Master's Degree in Reading with a reading specialist certificate also from Kutztown.

• Currently I am half way through a second Master’s Degree program studying to be a Media Specialist / Librarian.

• I have taught 23 years in this district including all the grade levels starting with first grade through sixth in several of our buildings.

• This is my 24th year in East Penn, and I still love it!!!!

• I have a daughter (Kate) who is a Freshman at Westminster Choir College/Rider U in Princeton, NJ. She is a vocal major.

Room 51 Goals

• Problem Solving – Critical Thinking

• Cooperative Learning• Hands-on Activities• Research Skills• Organization – (binder with

folder for each subject)

• Multiple Writing Opportunities

• READ

Parent Goals

• Check assignment book – (I’ll initial when necessary)

• Check homework (for completeness, not correctness)

• Sign necessary papers and work folders – Take Home Folders EVERY DAY, WCUS Folders every OTHER

Friday

• Advise me of any concerns (email, note, or phone call)

Philosophy

• Every child can learn.

• My job is to take them as far as I possibly can in the amount of time I am given.

• I am responsible for creating a safe and comfortable learning environment where students are willing to take risks and have opportunities to construct their own meaning.

• Fair, firm, consistent, and caring is key.

Student Responsibilities

• Responsible for work when absent or out of classroom—check website as a back up

• Long term projects due on time (extensions must be asked for in a reasonable time)

• Give parents classroom/school updates

• Use assignment books every day

• Complete daily assignments

Homework

• A moderate amount of work is usually given—no more than 50 minutes daily (written & study)

• If there is no written homework, those nights should be used for long term project work (such as book projects, extra reading, studying, etc.)

• Students are encouraged to make up missed work ASAP to be sure to get credit by report card time

• Homework is graded under “Skills for Successful Learners” on report card

Grading System

• 92 – 100 A• 84 – 91 B• 74 – 83 C• 64 – 73 D• Below 64 F

LITERACY

ReadingWriting

SpeakingListening

Spelling / Grammar

Reading

• Harcourt • Leveled Readers to go

along with literature themes

• Literature Circles used in some WIN classes

• Monthly book projects (TAB-Talk About Books)—details on my website

• Daily Five

Writing - requirements

Narrative

Opinion (persuasive)

Report (informational)

Writing – other experiences

• Comparison/contrast• Chronology• Descriptive• Classification• Journals – including math• Poetry• Creative stories• Friendly letters• Business letters

Writer’s Workshop

• Most writing will be done on Google Docs—ask your child to SHOW YOU

• Peer conferencing• Teacher conferencing• Self-evaluation tools• Part of Daily 5

Speaking and Listening

• Oral Presentations in all subjects

• “Mini-Talks”

• Debates

• Classroom discussions

Spelling

• Lists

• Tests

• Application of spelling in daily writing

Grammar

• Grammar instruction included throughout reading and writing lessons

• Parts of speech emphasized

• DOL = Daily Oral Language

WIN time

• WIN stands for What I Need

• It will be 4 days a week

• All students in 5th grade will be grouped according to reading needs

• Students will switch classes for this period

• This is a period to both enrich and remediate

Math• Mixed ability groups• eBook—Think Central

Website• Use of manipulatives• Basic facts• Problem solving• Written explanations• Verbal explanations• Algebra• Computer/calculator

ScienceMrs. McDonald will be teaching the Science

• STEM

• Mystery Class

• Biomes

• Space

• Rocks/Minerals

Social Studies—that’s me

• Exploration and Settlement

• American Revolution• A New Nation• Citizenship

From Mrs. BrinckmanReminders

• Please use the CROSSWALKS for drop-off and pick-up• Parents are REQUIRED to send a note for early pick-up. If there is

an emergency and you need your child early (before 3:00) please CALL THE OFFICE by 2:45 at the latest—I will not get an email on that short of notice

• Drop-off in the morning should NOT be BEFORE 8:45AM due to supervision purposes

• Pick-ups—be out front by 3:00PM—your child will be dismissed to you by 3:10—this is BEFORE the busses and different from past years

• Students will GO OUTSIDE for recess if the temperature is 27 degrees and up---please be sure your child is coming with appropriate winter clothing as applicable

• There is a link on my teacher website for student accident insurance if interested

More Reminders

• You must sign in at the office when visiting

• Medicines are to be brought to the nurse by parents

• Book Orders—please make checks to the BOOK CLUB (not me)

• NO PEANUT OR PEANUT BUTTER SNACKS, PLEASE. Because of allergies, we are asking that party treats and daily snacks contain no peanuts or peanut butter.

• Contact me anytime with questions or concerns– Send note, leave voice mail, e-mail to lmiksits@eastpennsd.org

Chaperones/Volunteers

• Field Trips – Planetarium and the Philadelphia Zoo

• Chaperones and Classroom Volunteers – please make sure to have your clearances; information is on my teacher webpage

• Please fill out and return the handout if interested

Technology Inside, front cover of your child’s Assignment Book:

User name, password, and my teacher website URL are listed there

• My website—1st place to look for “Breaking News” Links to ALL the academic sites (like math eBook, LA textbook, etc) Link to ALL the USERNAMES and PASSWORDS for the above mentioned

sites

• Moodle—writing will be “published” here—Google Docs Please allow your child to take ownership of this---do NOT edit work

for them—HELP, but do NOT do it FOR THEM

• Study Island—will mostly be done at school

• Think Central—where to find the Math eBook (among other things)

BYOD—Bring Your Own DeviceThis is a Pilot Program—Please be patient

• See the links on my teacher website

• If interested, fill out / sign and return the paperwork on your child’s desk

• Will be discussing Digital Citizenship regardless of participation

• MUST use EPSD wireless network—no PERSONAL DATA PLANS

• If you have specific questions AFTER this presentation, reading the paperwork, send me a note, email, or phone message

www.eastpennsd.org/teacherpages/lmiksits

Thank You!!! Thank you for sharing your child with

me, and for taking the time to come in tonight.

Fifth grade is a very exciting year, and I hope your child enjoys this journey.

Elementary school will be over for them before you know it. Let’s make every second count!