Welcome to Fifth Grade!
2008-2009
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. Students may type their final copy. 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 almost every week. Homework in spelling is usually given three to four times a week, with nightly review 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: Motion and Design, Adaptations of Living Things, Ecosystems, Weather and Climate, and Family Living.
· Students will work individually and cooperatively on experiments and projects throughout the year. The experiments, as well as teacher/student-generated notes will form the bulk of the science notebook. The notebook is a tool that students should use for nightly review.
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.
· 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 up to the end of the Civil War.
· Students will keep notes in a social studies notebook. The notebook should be reviewed nightly.
Homework Guidelines:
· Students are ALMOST ALWAYS given the opportunity to begin their homework in class.
· 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!
Behavior Expectations:
· Students are expected to be courteous, responsible, and mature in their dealings with their teachers and peers.
· Under normal circumstances, our discipline follows the following steps: verbal warning, loss of privileges, change of seat, parent phone call, parent conference, and/or office referral.
· The Student Handbook includes a detailed Slatington Elementary School Discipline Code.
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.
Fifth Grade Classroom Rules:
· Raise your hand to speak
· Work quietly
· Complete work on time
· Listen and follow directions the first time they are given
· Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
· Be respectful and responsible
· Walk quietly in the halls and as you enter and exit the classroom
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or write us letters. Our email addresses are: Mrs. Binder: cbinder@nlsd.org, Mrs. Fry: efry@nlsd.org, Miss Gerhard: agerhard@nlsd.org, Mrs. Lobach: tlobach@nlsd.org, Mr. Mengel: mmengel@nlsd.org, Mrs. Siglin: dsiglin@nlsd.org, Mrs. Middaugh: lmiddaugh@nlsd.org, and Mr. Williams: rwilliams@nlsd.org.
Thank you for your cooperation.
PLEASE SIGN, CUT ON THE LINE, AND RETURN TO YOUR HOMEROOM TEACHER BY 9/11/08.
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________