Behavior and Work Expectations

GRADE 5 BEHAVIOR, HOMEWORK, and GRADING

BEHAVIOR

Students in the intermediate grades are held to a high standard of behavior. Respect for self and others is stressed. During the final quarter of fifth grade, we will be taking some steps to be better prepared for the transition into sixth grade. Students will be leaving their desks empty just like they will have to do in sixth grade. It will be good for them to practice this and work out the kinks this year. There will no longer be a list of all of the homework for the day/week on the board. We have been working all year on students becoming responsible for writing their homework in their assignment notebook. This will also be a good time for the students to check their assignment notebook skills.

GRADING

The goal of assignment completion is that student work be of high quality and as error free as possible. Assignments in all content areas will be assessed with regard to neatness, grammar, language mechanics, spelling, and legibility. Late assignments will receive the following deductions:

1 day late = 10% off

2 days late = 20% off

3 or more days late = 50% off.

Any missing assignment will receive a zero until it is turned in. Please check your student's online grade book frequently to check for late and missing assignments. Illness, family emergencies, and other circumstances will be taken into account when grading late assignments.

Grades will be based on total points. Most homework, which is practice, will typically be worth 10 points. Tests and projects may be worth 100 or more points.

HOMEWORK

Students will keep track of all homework in their assignment notebooks. Students are required to write down the assignments as they are given. A fifth grade student should be spending approximately 50-60 minutes of homework each night. Some nights will be lighter or heavier due to the individual student's ability to make good use of his/her time at school. Weekends will be lighter! By fifth grade, students should be completing their homework as independently as possible. They may still need assistance in checking over and proofreading their work.

Students should be studying for tests on their own. Study skills are taught in the classroom to practice at home. When they are finished studying, it is then appropriate for a parent to quiz or review with the student.

If you notice your child struggling to complete homework, please call. We can work on strategies to solve these problems. Let's work together!