Normandy Crossing Elementary
Fifth Grade Bilingual ELA Syllabus
2026–2027 School Year
Teacher: Ms. Caetano
Grade: 5th Grade Bilingual English Language Arts
School: Normandy Crossing Elementary
District: Galena Park ISD
Welcome!
Welcome to Fifth Grade Bilingual English Language Arts! This year, students will strengthen their reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language skills while becoming confident, independent readers and writers. Our classroom is a safe, respectful, and engaging learning environment where every student is expected to grow academically and personally.
Curriculum
Instruction is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Grade 5 Bilingual English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR).
Reading
Students will read and analyze:
Informational texts
Literary texts
Argumentative texts
Paired passages
Drama
Poetry
Fiction
Historical fiction
Students will develop skills in:
Reading comprehension
Vocabulary
Fluency
Making inferences
Using text evidence
Determining theme
Comparing texts
Author’s purpose
Summarizing
Analyzing argumentative texts
Grammar & Language
Students will receive daily instruction in:
Parts of speech
Verb tenses
Pronouns
Adjectives
Adverbs
Conjunctions
Capitalization
Punctuation
Academic vocabulary
Sentence structure
Writing
Students will write:
Informational compositions
Argumentative essays
Reading responses
Constructed responses
Research projects
Students will revise, edit, and publish their writing throughout the year.
Classroom Expectations
Students are expected to:
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe
Come prepared every day
Participate actively
Complete assignments on time
Follow classroom procedures
Our classroom follows the Galena Park ISD Student Code of Conduct and campus expectations.
Electronic Device Policy (HB 1481)
In accordance with Texas House Bill 1481 and Galena Park ISD policy, students are not permitted to use personal electronic communication devices during the instructional day.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Cell phones
Smartwatches
Tablets
Earbuds or headphones not issued or approved by the school
Other personal electronic devices
Students should leave these devices at home whenever possible. If a device is brought to school, it must be powered off and put away during the entire instructional day unless an approved school exception applies.
Failure to follow this policy may result in the device being confiscated and disciplinary consequences according to Galena Park ISD and Texas House Bill 1481.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, focused, and distraction-free learning environment.
Homework
Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday to reinforce the skills taught in class.
Students are expected to:
Read 20–30 minutes every evening
Complete all homework assignments
Practice vocabulary and grammar
Review classroom learning
Reading every day is one of the best ways to improve reading achievement.
Weekly Assessments
To monitor student progress and mastery of the TEKS, students will take a weekly assessment every Friday. These assessments may include:
Reading Comprehension
Grammar
Vocabulary
Writing
Skills taught throughout the week
These assessments help prepare students for district assessments and the STAAR test while allowing instruction to be adjusted based on student needs.
Grading Policy
Student grades will follow the Galena Park ISD Elementary Grading Guidelines and will reflect mastery of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Major Grades – 60%
Unit Assessments
Reading Assessments
Writing Compositions
Projects
STAAR-style Assessments
Extended Constructed Responses (ECRs)
Daily Grades – 40%
Classwork
Reading Responses
Grammar & Vocabulary Assignments
Quizzes
Independent Practice
Homework (used to reinforce learning)
Missing Work
Students are expected to complete all assignments. Work missed because of an absence may be made up according to Galena Park ISD guidelines.
Parents are encouraged to monitor grades regularly through Skyward.
Materials Needed
Composition notebook
Pencils
Highlighters
Colored pencils
Dry-erase marker
Folder
Headphones (if requested)
Teacher Contact Information
Ms. Caetano
5th Grade Bilingual English Language Arts
Normandy Crossing Elementary
Galena Park ISD
Email: gcaetano@galenaparkisd.com
Preferred Communication:
Skyward Messages
Email: gcaetano@galenaparkisd.com
Call the school office. If I am unavailable, the office will gladly take a message, and I will return your call as soon as possible.
Our Classroom Philosophy
Every child learns at a different pace, and every student has unique strengths. Instruction will be differentiated to meet students where they are academically while providing the support and challenge they need to grow.
Our goal is not perfection—it is continuous progress. We will work together to build confident readers, strong writers, and lifelong learners.
I look forward to partnering with you to make this a successful school year!
Ms. Caetano
5th Grade Bilingual English Language Arts
Normandy Crossing Elementary
Galena Park ISD
“Growing Readers, Building Leaders.”