Reading/ELA Overview:

Spelling will always follow the same routine. We will typically only have Spelling on full five-day school weeks. The Pre-Test will be on Monday, with homework assigned based on errors. We will do some work in school. Thursday homework will be due, and Friday will be the test. If 100% is scored on the Pre-Test, they do not need to take the test on Friday.

Vocabulary and Grammar Assessments will always fall around the same time as the Reading Assessment, typically the day before. Reading Assessments (Progress Monitoring Assessments or PMAs) are "cold reads," passages the students have not seen before; they test the students on their ability to apply the skills that they have learned throughout the unit. **Students are permitted to use their reading/ELA notebooks as a resource for all assessments, with the exception of vocabulary.**

Math Overview:

Knowing multiplication facts is very important now, as multiplication facts will be used for all upcoming math skills. Please practice multiplication facts at home, or upcoming math skills will become very difficult as they all rely on knowing multiplication facts.

IXLs and Practice Buddies must be at a certain percentage to be considered "completed" as classwork or homework; however, the students should take those scores as high as they can as they become more comfortable with the content. These scores are averaged and entered as grades, and can help boost the students' overall math scores.

There will always be a practice test for homework that we review very carefully the day before the topic assessment. This can be used as a study guide to help prepare for the actual assessment. Students will be permitted (and strongly encouraged) to use their math notebooks as a resource when taking assessments.

Math grades are compiled from formative assignments such as assigned IXLs and Practice Buddies, and summative assignments including fact tests, basic concept quizzes, and the final topic assessment. Homework completion will also play a part in the final grade for the marking period.

Science Overview:

During the First Marking Period students will learn about natural resources, ecosystems, plant and animal adaptations, and the kingdoms of life-with specific focus on vertebrates and invertebrates in the animal kingdom.