Curriculum and Procedures

This year my students will be using Google Classroom. Google Classroom is a classroom management tool offered by Google for Educators. In Classroom students can be given assignments and electronically turn in their assignments using Google Drive. This year the majority of Reading, Writing, and Social Studies work will be turned in through Google Classroom. In addition, I will be using this platform to share math videos and such. If you receive an invitation to join our Classroom, please only accept if you would like the emails regarding assignments due and/or missing.

The focus in each unit taught through the year is based on the ARRC (Aligned Round Rock Curriculum).

"Round Rock ISD has developed the ARRC with the assistance of teachers, instructional coaches, and curriculum specialists. The ARRC is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and state assessments. The ARRC documents outline the learning goals and objectives RRISD students are expected to achieve and provides resources for instruction."

Math

TEKS taught per grade level for TAG:

3rd grade - all of 3rd grade TEKS and 65% of 4th grade TEKS

4th grade - remaining 4th grade TEKS and 90% of 5th grade TEKS

5th grade - remaining 5th grade TEKS, 92% of 6th grade TEKS, and 42% of 7th grade TEKS

What STAAR test do middle school students take if they are in TAG or Accelerated Math?

6th TAG Math - 7th grade STAAR

7th Grade TAG Math, Algebra 1 - Algebra EOC

8th Grade TAG Math, Geometry - 8th grade STAAR

6th Accelerated Math (TAG or not) - 6th grade STAAR

7th Accelerated Math (TAG or not) - 8th grade STAAR

8th Accelerated Math, Algebra 1 - Algebra EOC

Language Arts – Reading and Writing

In 5th grade, students are expected to master and refine knowledge and skills learned in previous grades. We will be reading from a variety of literature including fiction and informational texts. Students will participate in shared reading, guided reading and independent reading throughout each week. All student are encouraged to read every day.

Students in 5th grade will be able to select and use different forms of writing in order to inform, persuade and entertain. They will be expected to produce error free final copies using their knowledge of grammar, usage, spelling and punctuation. They also search out and use multiple resources to complete and present research projects.

Social Studies

Our 5th grade students will have an opportunity to learn and experience the formation and history of the United States this year. Students will continue to learn about geography, maps, economics and citizenship as well. Projects and reenactments are a big part of the Social Studies program for 5th graders. You will be given plenty of advance notice for these hands-on learning activities. A majority of the time, Social Studies will be integrated with Language Arts to allow students the opportunity to read and write about the topics they are learning about.

Science

5th graders will have Science every day at Spicewood. Students will have many opportunities for hands-on lab experiences and will spend time journaling and reflecting in their Science Journal, which will include very structured writing stems and prompts to strengthen scientific language. STEMScopes is an important online resource used as part of our science curriculum. All 5th grade students are required to enter an Experiment in the School Science Fair. More information will be given prior to that time.

Homework Schedule and Responsibility

Expect to see no more than 50 minutes of homework every night (Monday through Thursday).

Math homework should come home every night.

Reading at home daily

In addition, a short Writing, Science or Social Studies assignment may be included for homework, depending on what we are studying.

*Any unfinished class work from that day should also be completed at home that night for homework. All homework assignments will be written in student planners every day.

Occasionally there will also be long term projects assigned. Keep this in mind when managing time and after school schedules. I will try to be mindful of the amount of other work assigned as well, but time management will be an important lesson for the students to learn.

Parents may help with homework, as they are seen not only as valuable tutors but stakeholders in their child’s learning. Parents are encouraged to help with homework but not do it for the child. If your child is seriously struggling with the homework or unfinished classwork, please do not force him/her to finish the assignment. Instead, please write a note on the paper, so that I can help the next day.

Grading

With the exception of long term projects, homework will be a completion grade only.

Class work may or may not be graded, at my discretion. I will record grades for one or two assignments per week, per subject. All work is important and often the knowledge gained from the un-graded work is needed for the assignments which are graded. Any work will be counted off 10 points if it is turned in late.

Students will be allowed to correct or redo any work that has a failing grade of 69% or below. Per Spicewood policy, the graded corrections will earn a passing grade of no more than 70%.

I will send home progress reports at least once mid-way through each grading period for students who have a failing average. All parents will be able to monitor their child’s grades through the Home Access Center (HAC.) Students will always have the opportunity to turn in late work or redo failing grades before report cards come out.

Number of Grades per Quarter

District Policy (EIA Local) states that grading guidelines shall ensure that grades reflect a student’s relative mastery of an assignment and that a sufficient number of grades are taken to support the grade average assigned. Elementary teachers will take a minimum of seven grades each quarter in each core content area (reading, writing, math, science, social studies).

Redo/Retake

According to District Policy, “a classroom teacher shall provide students a reasonable and fair opportunity to retake or redo failing work.” In our elementary schools, the focus is on reteaching to provide the student an opportunity to learn the objective and demonstrate an understanding of the concept. This reteaching will occur within 10 days, and corrections may be made to improve a grade up to a 70%.

Corrections can be made on any daily paper that scores below an 70. In order to make corrections students will need to follow these steps:

1. Attach a separate piece of paper to the original
2. Indicate which missed problem is being worked on
3. Indicate why they missed it
4. Indicate the correct answer
5. Show their work
6. Have a parent sign the corrected work

Late Work

Our goal is for students to learn concepts being presented in class, regardless of the work being late. A deduction for late work may be given but will not exceed 10 points. The focus will be on finding ways to support students in being successful in work completion.

Progress Reports/Conferences

A progress report will be sent home during the fourth week of each quarter if a student is not passing. A teacher shall request a conference with a student’s parents at the end of a nine-week period if the student’s grades are not passing. Parents and teachers may request a conference at any other time for other academic or behavioral concerns. Parents are able to view grades at any time through the Home Access Center.