Welcome to Fifth Grade!

2011-2012

Welcome to fifth grade!  We’re very excited to be teaching fifth grade, and know we are going to have a great year together.  This letter is designed to familiarize you with curricular and behavioral expectations and routines in our classrooms.

 

Curricular Expectations

 

Reading:

·        The reading component includes work in the areas of vocabulary development, comprehension, fluency, and skills application.

·        Trade books may be used to supplement the literature program.

·        Homework in reading may consist of completion of comprehension questions, vocabulary practice, and independent reading.

 

English:

·        Students will be formally evaluated in writing several times during the school year.  The students will complete the bulk of the writing process at school.  Tentatively, some of the writings we may do include descriptive writing, personal narrative, research report, informational writing, persuasive writing, responding to text, and retelling/summary.

·        Students will receive a new spelling list with each new story in our reading book.  Tests will NOT necessarily be every Friday.  Nightly review is recommended for the test.

·        Our grammar program consists of types of sentences and the various parts of speech.

 

Science:

·        Our fifth grade science curriculum covers several units of study:  Adaptations of Living Things, Ecosystems and Biomes, Weather and Climate, and Family Living.

·        Students will individually and cooperatively complete hands on experiments through the Science: It’s Elementary program. This program includes “Motion and Design” and “Ecosystems”. Students will be graded on performance, participation, and maintaining a science notebook.

 

Mathematics:

·        In addition to skills acquired in each chapter, tests of basic facts will be administered on a regular basis.

·        Please practice basic facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division at home to increase speed and accuracy. Mastery of basic facts is essential for success in 5th grade math.

·        Generally speaking, students should receive homework in mathematics four to five nights a week.

 

Social Studies:

·        Our fifth grade social studies curriculum includes:  Explorers and American history.

·        Students will keep notes in a social studies notebook.  The notebook should be reviewed nightly.

 

Homework Guidelines

 

·        Fifth grade students will be assigned approximately 30-50 minutes of homework each night. If you are finding that it’s taking your child an excessive amount of time to complete his or her assignments, please contact your child’s teacher.

·        Students are ALMOST ALWAYS given the opportunity to begin their homework in class.

·        Daily homework is posted nightly on the website of your child’s teacher.

·        Parents will be notified when students miss 3 homework assignments.  After five missed homework assignments students will be scheduled for an after school detention.

·        Other consequences for late or incomplete homework:

1.      Loss of recess

2.     Possible loss of assemblies and other extra activities, including but not limited to, field trips and field day.

 

Assignment Books

 

·        Each student is issued an assignment book on the first day of school and is responsible for recording assignments.

·        Please review the assignment book nightly!

 

 

Classroom Behavior Expectations:

 

BE A TOP DAWG

Be Respectful

      

Be Responsible

        

Be Safe

      

Be Proud

      

Cheating Policy

·        Cheating will not be tolerated in any form.

·        If any staff member witnesses a student cheating, the student will receive an automatic zero percent on that assignment.

·        No re-tests or extra credit will be accepted.

 

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or write us letters.  Our email addresses are:  Mrs. Fry:  efry@nlsd.org, Ms. Gold: mstrohl@nlsd.org, Mrs. Lobach:  tlobach@nlsd.org, Mr. Mengel:  mmengel@nlsd.org, Mrs. Middaugh:  lmiddaugh@nlsd.org, Mrs. Siglin:  dasiglin@nlsd.org, and Mr. Williams:  dmarushak@nlsd.org.

 

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

PLEASE SIGN, CUT ON THE LINE, AND RETURN TO YOUR HOMEROOM TEACHER BY 9/17/11.

 

 

 

 

This signature confirms that I understand and agree to the curricular and behavioral and behavioral expectations of our fifth grade classrooms.

 

 

STUDENT SIGNATURE______________________ DATE________

 

 

PARENT SIGNATURE_______________________ DATE________