Welcome to

>>>>5th Grade Social Studies!<<<<

Mrs. Lang • Room 11 • mrs.lang@presbvmschool.org • 215-379-3798

Welcome to your first year of Middle School! Middle School is a big deal: this is your first step in preparing for high school and beyond! 5th Grade Social Studies is SO MUCH FUN! It is this year that you will be introduced to complex map systems, the Economy, and the Government. This year will have us studying continents in the Western Hemisphere. Those continents are North America and South America. We will learn about the origins of the United States, the cultures of the various countries in South America, and the beautiful countries located in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean. For most of you, this is your first time learning about places other than the United States. Get ready for an amazing journey around the globe!

Class Topics:

 Map Skills

 Weather & Climate

 Landforms & Water Forms

 The Economy

 Government

 The Geography, Culture, & History of 

   the Following Areas:

       North America

       Mesoamerica

       Caribbean

       South America

**If you are struggling, then you MUST TELL ME! I cannot help if I do not know you need it! NEVER be afraid or embarrassed to ask me for help!**

Class Expectations:

You are expected to try your best every day & BYOE (Bring Your Own Energy)! You should come in everyday with a positive attitude and be ready to learn. YOU NEED YOUR SUPPLIES EVERY SINGLE DAY in order to be successful! You should be proud of every assignment you complete. In this class, you are expected to be respectful to your peers, your teachers, all members of the Presentation BVM family, and our classroom. You should always be kind, responsible, and honest. Our classroom website has the most up-to-date information regarding our schedule; it is updated EVERY SUNDAY with Homework, any special activities for the week, test dates, and projects. 

Grading:

You will be graded on the following:

   Tests & Quizzes     Homework

   Daily Do Nows               Classwork & Materials

   Projects     Participation

**Any Test or Project Grade that is less than a 70 will need to be signed and returned.**

Materials Needed Daily:

Social Studies 5 Pocket Folder with 

Notes! This is your Textbook/Workbook 

for my Class and you cannot be 

Successful without it!

Blue/Black Pen Red Pen

Highlighter Looseleaf

Art Supplies An open mind!

**We use Google Applications (Docs, Slides, Gmail, Classroom, Sheets) a lot during the year. If you have a SmartPhone and are given permission, please download these Apps so that you can stay up-to-date! You should also save our Classroom Website to your homescreen!**

Absentee Policy:

If you are absent, you must have a note written and signed by your Parent or Guardian. You will be given the number of days you were absent to hand in any work that was missed (for example, if you were absent for two days, then you have two days to return missed work before losing credit). If an assignment is due the day you were absent (a test, homework, projects, etc.) then it is due on the day you return. When you return to school, go to the “ABSENT” Folder to collect the list of your work you missed and any hand-outs.

Homework Policy:

All homework is to be completed on the assigned due date. All homework assignments will be turned in on paper. All homework assignments are to be copied down daily and will also be posted on our class website. I will post homework grades on FACTS at the end of each month. Please see me for a list of missing homework assignments Getting tests signed counts as homework assignments!

Homework is graded as follows:

On time: Full Credit (5 Points)

One Day Late: Partial Credit (4Points)

2+ Days Late: Partial Credit (2 Points)

Never Turned In: No Credit (0 Points)

Late Projects Policy:

Any project turned in late will result in the loss of 2 points for each day it is late (weekends/days off will be included for any projects that are submitted digitally). All projects must be turned in within a month of the assigned deadline. Any project turned in after the one month date (which will be written under the “Comments” section in our FACTS Online Grading System), will not be accepted. 

Lost Notes/Papers Policy:

Each Packet and Worksheet I distribute will have an additional 5 copies made; these copies will be in the labeled box in the front of the room. If you need an extra copy of a handout, you will need to fill out the form before taking the extra copy. Once the 5 additional copies have been taken, additional copies may be requested via email; verbal requests will not be accepted. I will email you a digital copy of the handout to be printed on your own time. If you request copies more than 3 times, an email will be sent home making your family aware. Extra copies ARE NOT to be taken because you left your notes in another class–these are for truly lost papers only!

Classroom Rules and Discipline:

*Be on time, on task, and prepared to learn EVERYDAY

*Respect the teacher, the classroom, other students, and yourself

*Be responsible for your own learning

*Clean up after yourself and your peers

*Listen to others

*Speak kindly

Throughout the year, there will be times when you do a great job and times when you make some mistakes.On days when you don’t make great decisions, CONSEQUENCES such as loss of privileges, emails home, and write-ups will happen. However, on days that you make good decisions, you will see some REWARDS like prizes, coupons, and praise will be given. So let’s try to make as many GOOD DECISIONS as possible!

* 3 Write Ups = AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION to be served on THURSDAYS*

**All severe disciplinary behaviors will be directed to Mrs. Flanigan right away--no exceptions**