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Ms. Cruz’s Classroom

5th Grade

2019-2020

Welcome to 5th grade!

[pic]Expectations: I am a firm believer that parents are the first and most important teachers in their child’s life. My role as an educator is to be part of a team that will facilitate your child’s learning throughout the year. My goal is to meet higher standards, as I want my students to do as well. It is a blessing to be able to teach within the Catholic Faith and I feel honored to be part of the Saint Mary’s community.

[pic]Communications: My door is always open, but I would prefer to meet during my conference time blocks. I am also available through Email. Due to preparations for the school day, mornings and dismissal are difficult times for me to meet with you. However, I am flexible if it is in an emergency. Please understand I may not be able to answer you right away due to scheduling. If an emergency, please contact the office.

[pic]Respectful Words we will concentrate on: Words to Keep:

Yes/no ma’am, yes/no sir, please, and thank you. Words that we want to throw away: Whatever, yeah, uh-huh, yup, sure, and other slang.

[pic]Behavior and “Class Ticket” System: As part of a balanced classroom there will be behavioral expectations. There are two main sections to my behavioral plan:

1) Behavior: If your child needs any kind of behavior reminders, they will quietly be given a warning as a reminder. They will be responsible to self-correct their behavior. If the behavior is not corrected, they will be given a silent lunch and a behavior think sheet that they are to fill out by themselves and turn in by the end of the day. I will notify you if your child fills out a “think sheet”. Grade deductions will appear in their conduct for every think sheet filled out. I will store the reports in their file and you will be able to see upon request.

2) “Classroom Economy/Ticket System”: For positive reinforcement, we will have a classroom ticket system. Your child will have the opportunity to earn ‘tickets’ throughout the day by doing good deeds, following instructions, etc. I will provide a classroom menu for the students to select various “fun” things to do. They will have the option of saving, donating, or spending their class tickets. They will also have the choice to donate to our class community donation box. This will reinforce the charitable side of our education allowing them to collectively share with the class for a class movie with popcorn or ice cream. This system is not only fun, but also fits into our Texas Essential Knowledge and Skill requirements (TEKS).

[pic]Attendance: The SMCS attendance policy is located on the schools site. Your child is responsible for any missed assignments. If you need to make any special arrangements, just let me know. Please communicate with me as needed.

[pic]Homework: I will hand out a weekly homework packet on Monday. The homework packet is due Friday morning with a parent’s signature. If the homework is turned in late it is an automatic 0% and the student will not be able to enjoy the privilege of recess until it is complete.

In the event of an emergency or other circumstances, please contact me for incomplete homework.

Student’s homework may vary, so please remind your child to be respectful and tactful to various learning needs. Additional homework may be assigned throughout the week.

[pic]Take Home Folders and Planners: Please check your child’s take home folder daily. Take home folder is a folder designed to communicate with you and to hand back graded papers. In addition, the planner will be used daily to record homework assignments and events. There may be things in the take home folder that your child will need to return. It will include graded papers, additional homework, and other important materials/communication concerning your child. It is very important your child remembers their folder daily. Please remind your child to bring folder to school daily.

[pic]Grading: We will follow the grading scale as set forth in the SMCS handbook:

A 90%-100%

B 80%-89%

C 75%-79%

D 70%-74%

F 69% or below

** How to do class test corrections:

1. Only items that are incorrect need to be corrected.

2. Corrected answers must be written out in full sentences on lined paper.

3. If a question was multiple choice, write the entire question stem (the question) + the new answer choice (not just "a", "b", etc.).

4. Provide a reason in the margin, proving you looked up the correct answer and did not simply guess again.

5. Put a heading on the corrections page and submit it stapled to the original test. Staple behind the original test.

6. Students will receive half credit back into their score for each corrected answer. Example: If a student misses 5 they will receive 2.5.

[pic]Tests:There will be semester exams given in the core subjects (Math, English Language Arts (ELA), Social Studies, Science and Religion). Your child will have the opportunity to have class reviews and review sheets to study prior to most exams.

[pic] Mass and Special Activities: We are able to celebrate Mass every Tuesday, Holy Day of Obligation and other special days. Please be early if you are an Altar server, lector or have any other formal participation. BOYS: Please wear a tie with your uniform on Mass days. GIRLS: Mass uniforms please. Please refer to SMCS handbook.

[pic]Service Hours: SMCS has always had a high standard for teaching the importance of service for our Church and community. There will be a “Service Record Log” that will be sent home to record your child’s service hours at the beginning of every quarter. If it is lost there is a template that is available on my website that you can print out. This will count as part of your child’s Religion grade. Total service hours per quarter: 3.00

** 5th Grade has been asked to participate in Safety Patrol. Safety Patrol is an honorable service to our school that 5th graders will be asked to lead. Safety Patrol hours can also be logged for Service Hours. 

Safety Patrol will be on a weekly rotation after school. Safety Patrol will help navigate students in grades K-3 to their after school campus destinations. There will be three students selected every week to help from 3:20-3:45. 

Please refer to the fifth grade website for scheduling.

** 5th grade will also be participating in mass choir every Tuesday.

[pic]Memorization: We will be memorizing:

a) The U.S. states location and designated capitals

b) The preamble to the Constitution

Bits & Pieces:

1) Water bottles: Students may have a clear water bottle with a top that can be closed. Please no ice for condensation reasons. If the bottles become a distraction, the students will lose this privilege.

2) The students may bring a healthy snack to eat during morning recess.

ABYDOS Literacy: Formally known as the New Jersey Writing Project, I will be incorporating “Abydos Writing” into the classroom. This is writing and grammar based teaching style that will require your child to keep a writing journal at school to house their work throughout the year. It is a writing approach to build a community of writers using their own work and ideas to teach Language Art.  We will also be doing lots of reading and concentrating on different author’s meaning/writing styles. **Much of the work is kept in journals at school, but anytime upon request you may visit the classroom to look at your child’s journal. Thank you.

[pic]Accelerated Reading: As part of a balanced literacy component, your student will be able to participate in Accelerating Reading (AR) this year. Your child will have the opportunity to self-monitor their assessment and observe their growth as a reader by actively monitoring their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).

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I am looking forward to a great year.

Happy learning,

Ms. Ivette

5th Grade Teacher

icruz@stmarys-

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