Welcome to our class! You will find useful information about our class in this syllabus. I will be your child's teacher for reading, English, spelling, science, and social studies. Mrs. Geer will be your child's math teacher this year. If you still have questions, feel free to ask me!
CLASSROOM RULES:
1. Keep our classroom neat and clean
2. Listen and follow directions
3. Always try your best
4. Be prepared
5. Respect yourself and others
READING
We will use several different resources in our reading class including the basal series (Wonders McGraw Hill), novels, Study Island, and the CARS and STARS workbooks. When we read stories in the reading textbook we will typically spend two weeks on each story. Throughout that week, we will focus on a reading comprehension skill, vocabulary skill, genre, and vocabulary words. Students will be given new vocabulary words on Mondays. Reading tests will typically be given on Fridays. Please note that we will sometimes change this schedule due to school events or days with no school.
We will also be reading several novels. The majority of the reading will be done in class. Along with reading the novel, we will focus on vocabulary, skills and strategies, and we will also include one larger project for each novel.
SO HOW CAN YOU STUDY FOR READING TESTS?
Help your child review vocabulary words throughout the week. Your child should know the definition and how to use the word correctly in a sentence. Words can always be found in the reading textbook, and your child will also be bringing home graded vocabulary assignments throughout the week. Both these items can be used to study. Students are also encouraged to bring home the reading textbook to read the story at home. Read with your child and take time to discuss the story. Attendance and class participation are also important. A large part of reading class includes group work and class discussions, which your child will miss when absent.
ENGLISH
We will be using the World of Language textbook in English class. We will cover eight units in English, with a test at the end of each one. Some of the skills we will be working on this year include:
· Types of Sentences
· Pronouns
· Subject/Verb Agreement
· Conjunctions
· Prepositions
· Interjections
· Narrative Essay
· Compare/Contrast Essay
· Descriptive Writing
SPELLING
Students will be given a new spelling list each Monday. Each spelling list will follow a pattern or rule that all words will focus on. Spelling lists will include 20 words and five additional challenge words. In class on Mondays, we will read through the words together and discuss their meaning. Throughout the week we will complete assignments in the spelling workbook. A spelling pretest will be given each Wednesday. Any student that receives 100% on the pretest and gets all five challenge words correct, does not have to take the spelling test on Friday. Challenge words are optional for students. They will count as extra credit and will never hurt a child’s test grade. Students are required to write the spelling words on all tests. We will not be taking multiple choice spelling tests, with the exception of review weeks. Spelling tests will be completed in cursive.
SCIENCE
We will be using “Inspire” for our curriculum. Some of the topics covered in fifth grade include:
· Investigating Matter
· Ecosystems
· Earth's Interactive Systems
· Earth and Space Patterns
SOCIAL STUDIES
We will be using Harcourt Social Studies for our fifth grade curriculum. Fifth graders will focus on United States History. Some of the topics covered include:
· Our Nation’s Geography
· Native Americans
· The Age of Exploration
· Building the First Colonies
· The Thirteen Colonies
· The Colonies Unite
· The Revolutionary War
HOMEWORK
The majority of homework this year will be assignments that your child does not complete during class. Other homework includes studying for tests and independent reading at home. Fifth graders are expected to read 15-20 minutes each night in a book of their choosing. Research has shown daily independent reading to be one of the most important factors in predicting student success in school. Please encourage your child to read daily or read with your child. Ask questions and show an interest in what he/she is reading. Independent reading should be done every night at home.
All homework is due in the morning by 8:15, or as soon as students get settled in the classroom. Homework not turned in by then is considered late and will be completed during recess. Ten percent will be deducted from the final grade each day an assignment is late, with a maximum of two days. After two days, the assignment will be recorded as a zero.
GRADING SCALE
100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59-0 F