MR. MCCOY'S WEEKLY LOG
Issue 1-Friday, August 14, 2015
THE PARK IS OPEN!
There is much to look forward to as your child’s fifth grade year gets officially underway on Tuesday, August 18! I am anticipating the chance to work with your child—and you! The purpose of this letter is to welcome you and to share vital information about the fifth grade program at Liberty Oaks Elementary School. Keep reading, to learn more about the components of my classroom—and the Liberty Oaks fifth grade program. Here we go--and "The Park is Open!"
The You Tube Version of This Newsletter
Each week, you will receive a link to the You Tube version of the current newsletter. Here it is:
A Monumental Game for Your Fifth Grader (and You!) to Play
I will mail a letter of introduction to your child. In it will be a "board" game, "Jurassic Park Peril," featuring the theme of "Back to School." I have also requested that your child email me, to share the results of the game--and any questions or comments that he/she has about the upcoming school year.
Curriculum Overview
The fifth grade curriculum is extensive, and we will accomplish it all! Click on the link, below, to access an overview of the fifth grade curriculum:
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/parents/curriculum/curriculum-overview-1/fifth-grade/view
Standards Based Reporting
http://lps-ca.schoolloop.com/file/1377670573516/1381823210354/8760446338877323033.pdf
Study Skills Emphasis
A major emphasis will be placed on the attainment of organizational and study skills. Learning how to keep a notebook organized, with all assignments and handouts, is often a challenge for some fifth graders. Since virtually everything will be organized in the notebook, please make sure that your child has one that is at least 2 inches wide. The expectations that I have for notebook organization are commensurate with those of Discovery Middle School. On the first day of school, I will work with your child, to make sure that his/her notebook is set up with subject dividers. I will do weekly assignment book, desk, and notebook checks, to make sure that he/she is maintaining this organization.
Chrome Books are Back!
Like last year, each student will receive a Chromebook at the outset of this school year! During the initial days of school, we will review the expectations for their use. Here is the link to the Liberty L.E.A.D.S. website, which has copious information about Chromebooks:
https://sites.google.com/a/student.liberty.k12.mo.us/liberty-leads-elementary/home
I will also give you more information on Parent Information Evening.
What 'Color' are You?
During the initial days of school, your child will get to investigate his/her personality traits via a "Colors" investigation. Here is a link to the information that we will be exploring:
Homework Hotline
Your child will have math homework on Tuesday and Thursday of each week--and, a project requiring creative thinking skills during select weeks throughout the year. That said, think of me as the “Homework Hotline”! Call me, anytime, if your child is has a question about a homework assignment, or if you have an inquiry about something that occurred at school. My home phone number is (816) 415-0368. I do not mind, at all, being called in the evening!
My Story
In case you’re wondering, here is some information about me. This will be my thirty-first year of teaching in Liberty Public Schools. I taught sixth grade, for five years, at Franklin Elementary School (back when sixth grade was still housed in the elementary buildings); one year at Liberty Middle School, teaching math and social studies; 14 years, teaching fourth and fifth grade, at Manor Hill Elementary School; and this will be my eleventh year at Liberty Oaks Elementary School. (It’s hard—very hard—to believe that I am only 38!) I have also taught in the Summer Adventure program for 20 years, beginning in the summer of 1991. I attended Liberty Public Schools for my entire school career, attending Manor Hill, Franklin, and Ridgeview, and graduating from Liberty High School in 1979. Then I earned my degree, in Elementary Education, from William Jewell College in 1984. From there, I earned my master’s degree, in Curriculum and Instruction: Social Studies, from Central Missouri State University, in 1990. Of the four schools in which I have taught, Liberty Oaks has been, by far, my favorite—because of the terrific students, their parents, and the Liberty Oaks staff!
Back to School Night
Please come to Back-to-School Night, on Thursday, August 13, anytime between 5:00 and 6:30 P.M. I would love to meet you! Your child may bring his/her supplies, to stow for the first day of school! By the way, I do NOT need any boxes of tissues--I still have a HUGE supply from previous years. You may keep the tissues that you bought for home use, if you choose!
PARENT INFORMATION EVENING
And, please come to Parent Information Evening, on Tuesday, August 25. There will be two sessions (come to one of them):
Session 1, 6:20 to 6:50 P.M.
Session 2, 6:55 to 7:25 P.M.
Your time will be well spent!
My Website
For the latest information about upcoming events and curriculum information, visit my website. It is updated regularly: