Thank you for visiting my classroom website. My name is Maegan Zell and I teach 5th grade at Mary Woodward Elementary School. I hope this site helps my students and their families stay connected and up to date on our classroom activities. I have also provided a number of resources to support continued learning at home.
My contact information:
Room # 21
My classroom phone number is 503.431-4742. If I do not answer please leave me a voice mail.
Email is usually the easiest way to reach me. [email protected]
Please don’t depend on email or voice mail for time sensitive communication, especially transportation changes. Please contact the office at 503-431-4700.
My contact information:
Room # 21
My classroom phone number is 503.431-4742. If I do not answer please leave me a voice mail.
Email is usually the easiest way to reach me. [email protected]
Please don’t depend on email or voice mail for time sensitive communication, especially transportation changes. Please contact the office at 503-431-4700.
Daily Schedule
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Homework - After much research about homework and it's minimal benefits for elementary students, you can expect homework to look different in 5th grade than in the past. You can expect your child to bring home their planner each day. Together we will record any unfinished class assignments that need to be completed, occasional homework and reminders. Students will have a daily reading expectation, Monday-Friday. I encourage at least 20 minutes of reading a night, with a goal of 100 minutes per week. A regular reading routine is extremely important! It will be a focus and priority for us this year. With the reduction in homework I hope that you will spend the evenings doing things that are proven to correlate with student success. Eat dinner as a family, read together, play outside and get your child to bed early.
Friday Folders - At the end of each week students will bring home a Friday Folder containing any class papers and school communication. The Friday Folder should be returned on the next school day. This counts as homework.
Behavior Expectations – Throughout the year we will spend a lot of time and effort learning, reviewing and practicing how to follow Woodward’s three behavior expectations:
BE SAFE, RESPECTFUL and RESPONSIBLE. Responsibility – The transition to fifth grade is a big one. A large focus this year will be developing personal responsibility and middle school readiness. We will discuss and practice what it means to be responsible for homework, class work and iPads. I have set up systems to encourage and support this important skill. You can help by setting up systems in your home for homework and daily reading. A designated place for school supplies, specific attention to a homework routine, and putting items in the backpack the night before can all be helpful steps. Snack – Mid morning, our class will have a brief snack time. Please check labels carefully. If you wish, a healthy, simple snack may be sent to school with your child. Items for snacks could include: fruit, crackers, vegetables, granola bars, yogurt or cheese. If your family needs assistance in providing a snack please let me know.
All 5th grade classrooms are NUT FREE. No foods containing nuts, or foods processed where cross contamination can occur, will be permitted in the classroom. Thank you for your attention to keep all our kids safe. Birthdays – On your child’s birthday, or the closest school day to his/her birthday, he/she will be celebrated in our classroom. If your child has a summer birthday we will celebrate toward the end of the school year. Your child will have 10 minutes to “be the teacher” and choose the class activity for that time. We do NOT have birthday treats in our classroom.This keeps the sugar levels low and avoids allergy/dietary restrictions. If you and your child would truly like to bring in something for class to celebrate their day, consider non-food items like fun pencils, erasers, stickers etc. **IMPORTANT: If you are having an at-home party and would like to invite the whole class, or all the girls, or all the boys, you may send invitations to school to pass out. However, if your child is just including certain children, please use the postal service or email for your invitations.This avoids hurt feelings. Water Bottles - Students will be permitted to have a small water bottle in class. Please remind your child to bring their water bottle home frequently to be washed. Please do not send other types of drink to class - water only. Cell Phones – I recognize that a cell phone is often a necessary means of communication after school between parent and child. If a cell phone is brought to school it must remain turned off, and within the student’s backpack until they have exited the building after school. All phone correspondence between students and parents during the school day must be made via the office or classroom phone. iPads - Your student will have an iPad checked out to them. The use of technology is a privilege that requires responsibility. We will be learning about digital citizenship and how to use technology to enhance our learning, not distract from it. |
HELPFUL LINKSREADING/LANGUAGE ARTSAUTHOR READ ALOUDSMATHSCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIESMULTI-SUBJECT RESOURCESFOR FUN/ABOUT THE WORLDPODCASTSCLASSROOM LIBRARYOTHER |