The A – Z Gruide for the Sixth Grade



The A – Z Guide for the Fifth Grade

ABSENCE POLICY- If your child is absent, he/she will be held accountable to determine and acquire the schoolwork/homework that is missing. Arrangements can also be made to pick up missed work (after school ONLY, please) or in advance for known, future absences. Two days will be given for each day absent to complete work.

AGENDAS- Each student will receive an agenda from Riggs. Students will learn time management and organizational skills by using these agendas to record their nightly homework. If an assignment is not turned in the assignment will be circled in the agenda. Please check your child’s agenda on a regular basis. It will keep you up to date on schoolwork, deadlines to assignments, and classroom happenings.

ACCELERATED READER- AR goals for 5th grade are to improve reading skills and provide an opportunity for all students to read independently. AR builds students’ self confidence, ensures success for each student as a reader and inspires a love of reading.

The Process:

• Students take the S.T.A.R. test to learn their reading level ”ZONE”. The reading level is a comfortable instructional level that also provides enough challenge for maximum growth.

• Students check out AR library books at their reading level

• Teachers provide independent reading time each day

• Students read 20 minutes nightly

Requirements:

• A minimum of 4 AR tests taken each quarter

• One written book report each quarter

• One book project each quarter

• To get credit for a test students must pass with an 80% or better and turn an AR slip into their teacher

• Students may only take tests on books they have read or read with someone

• Students may not take a test on a book which has been made into a movie unless they have read the book

Rewards: If the AR goal of 4 passed tests is reached by the due date for that quarter the student will participate in the grade level reward party.

BACK PACKS- Fifth grader books can be very heavy and may be sent home to complete assignments. It is important that your child bring a backpack to school.

BEEP- Behavior Earns Extra Play, is a 5th grade activity on Fridays to celebrate a week of successful learning and excellent behavior! To attend, students cannot have any missing homework assignments for the week. They must also maintain excellent behavior during the week with no more than one reflection log. Lastly, the Wednesday log must be signed. Some examples of activities for BEEP are: classroom games; board games; Arts & Crafts.

BIRTHDAYS- We look forward to celebrating your child’s birthday in our classroom! Birthdays are very special days and worth observance. Please let us know ahead of time if you plan to bring in treats for the entire class (30 would be the ideal number). Remember, district and state law requires store bought goodies only. You may send the treats in with your child or you may drop them by during the day. The best time for a birthday snack is the end of the day.

BLOCK- This year your child has the opportunity to choose his or her music class. The options are Band, Orchestra or General Music. We refer to this as 5th Grade Block. Block occurs everyday from 10:15-10:45 and is on a 3-day rotation, which is different than the k-4th grade schedule. If your child chooses Band or Orchestra, he/she will need to either rent or purchase an instrument and be willing to stay with this choice all year long. He or she should be responsible with transporting the instrument back and forth from home to school as well as being dedicated to practicing. In addition to Block, your child will have Library and Computer on a rotating schedule too.

BOOK ORDERS- Book orders will be sent home about once a month. Please don’t feel you have to place an order, but we encourage purchasing the books to add to each student’s personal literature collection. Each book order will have an attached letter with recommendations and AR books. Please send the completed book orders back with a check.

COMMON CORE LANGUAGE ARTS-

Reading- This year your child will experience an array of diverse literature as the common-core reading standards will be implemented. The common-core is taught within reading themes. The student will be reading a variety of genres and be exposed to poetry, fiction and nonfiction text within each theme. They will demonstrate an appreciation of reading by participating in independent reading and listening to read-aloud stories. Throughout the year, they will experience literature through shared and guided reading groups, and literature circles. In reading, the students will apply comprehension strategies to develop meaning from all types of text. Some examples are distinguishing fact from opinion, sequencing events, predicting outcomes, using inferences, drawing conclusions, vocabulary development, and connecting text to real-life experiences. Vocabulary and its components will be developed within the selected literature. Students will be expected to read nightly as part of this program. Reading grades are not only based on your child’s ability to be reading on grade level but on the growth and progression he/she makes at the reading instructional level. Percentage grades will be given for reading skills and running records taken. Effort grades will be given for participation in discussions, fluency levels and study skills.

Writing-During the course of the school year, your child will compose several forms of writing within the context of our Reading and Social Studies program. These will include: narrative stories, poetry, responses to literature, a variety of essays and letters, research reports and an autobiography. Students will be expected to write multiple paragraphs using correct paragraph structure using cursive handwriting. Fifth grade students are expected to apply what they have learned about language, grammar and the writing process in their everyday writing. Students will become familiar with the 6+1 traits of writing. In addition, students will regularly practice the steps of the writing process, which includes drafting, editing and revising skills. Students will be expected to write in cursive on final products of writing. Grades for Language Arts/Writing will be on percentages for skill concepts and rubrics for writing assignments.

DONATIONS- Thank you in advance for donating items to the classroom throughout the school year. Items will occasionally be listed in the classroom newsletter. Your support and donations allow us to complete fun, engaging activities, and learning experiences.

HOMEWORK- Homework packets will be assigned each week. Each packet will include Reading, Spelling, and Writing homework for the week. Math homework will be assigned on a daily basis. Long term projects may also be assigned as homework. In order to develop good learning habits, your child should set aside a time and a place to complete homework. In addition to homework, please encourage your child to read. The only homework assigned on weekends will be long term projects. Incomplete work form the school day may also become homework. Homework expectations will be enhanced when your child accepts responsibility for: 

• Understanding the assignments before leaving school.

• Completing all assignments accurately.

• Turning in all assignments by the due date.

• Asking the teacher for assistance if necessary.

HOT LUNCH/LUNCH MONEY- Lunch money is to be turned in BEFORE school, in the cafeteria. It is recommended that you start an account. Notes will be sent home when accounts run low in money.

MATH- The Chandler Unified School District uses the Scott Foresman/Addison Wesley program. It can be viewed online at . The textbook presents math skills in sequential order with increasing complexity, while building mathematical vocabulary and terminology. Some of the concepts emphasized in fifth grade are multiplication and division of whole numbers, decimals and fractions; fractions in equivalent forms; data analysis, averaging and statistics; geometry; customary and metric measurement; algebraic operations; and probability. Students will become proficient in long division, as well as in the multiplication of two and three digit numbers. Throughout the year, they will develop their problem-solving skills and logic by learning and applying a variety of strategies. Math grades are given on percentages in the various concept areas and averaged for the total grade.

NEWSLETTERS- Classroom newsletters will be sent electronically weekly and placed on our school website. Newsletters may not go home on short weeks. In the newsletter, you will find curriculum summaries, upcoming events, and classroom needs.

PROGRESS REPORTS- Your child’s work will be graded either with a percentage, a rubric, a point system or a checklist. Your child will receive a Progress Report on Fridays twice a month. It will provide you with your child’s percentage in each of 5 subjects.

REPORT CARDS- The district’s report card is a comprehensive list of all the objectives that will be taught during the school year. Some objectives are taught every quarter while others may be addressed during specific quarters. Report cards are usually sent home after each intersession break. Your child will be recognized with Principal’s List for earning all-A’s or Honor Roll for maintaining A’s and B’s throughout the quarter.

SAFETY PATROL- As a 5th grader, your child will be expected to model leadership skills and one way to do that is through helping with Safety Patrol. One week out of each quarter, our class will assist with helping student’s safety during morning and afternoon Parent Drop-off and Pick-up. Safety Patrol teaches responsibility and offers your child an opportunity to model good citizenship skills.

SCHEDULE- See attached

SCIENCE- The fifth grade Science program has several interesting units of study, including physical science (forces of motion, and properties of matter); life science (systems of the human body/nutrition); Earth and Space science (Solar System); and the scientific process or inquiry method (including Science Fair). Throughout the year, the steps of the scientific process will be taught as an embedded aspect of the other three science units. The Science program we will be using is Harcourt. One exciting Science-related field trip has been planned to enhance our studies is the Halle Heart Center. We are also hoping to attend the Arizona Science Center if funds are available. Science grades are given on percentages in the various concept areas and averaged for the total grade.

SNACKS- An important part of learning is the ability to stay focused on the task required. A midday snack is a great way to help the body and mind focus on school. Your child is encouraged to bring a healthy snack each day. Unhealthy snacks will be saved until after school.

SOCIAL STUDIES- American history is the focus of the fifth grade Social Studies curriculum. Our theme is “The Making of America.” We will be exploring from the early Native Americans through the Civil War. The students will also be learning and applying geography skills and examining our system of government. Our adopted series, Harcourt, supports these objectives. An exciting feature of fifth grade is our ECONOMICS unit. During this unit, students learn about opportunity costs, goods, services, producers, consumers, scarcity, wants, needs and supply and demand. They will complete resumes and job applications, and create simulated businesses. This preparation leads to real-life application at “JA-Biztown” a Junior Achievement model city, which the students operate for one day. We are scheduled to visit JA-Biztown on Friday, September 7, 2012. We will be looking for a number of parent volunteers. Grades for Social Studies will be on percentages for skill concepts and rubrics for writing assignments.

SPELLING- We will use Harcourt’s Spelling program as well to strengthen students’ use of vocabulary in their reading and writing. Weekly spelling words are grouped according to specific language and phonic skills. On Fridays, your child will be given a weekly spelling word and dictation test. Grades for Spelling will be on a percentage and averaged into the overall Language Arts grade.

TAX CREDIT- The state of Arizona allows families to donate money to a specific school for extra curricular activities. The donation is automatically taken off the top of your taxes. It you choose to donate, we would love to incorporate special and unique learning experiences, such as field trips into this year’s curriculum. Remember, any tax credit donation is welcomed. Also, check with you employer if they have a company policy of “matching” donations.

TEACHER-PARENT CONTACT- I look forward to the time we spend as partners in your child’s education. I will try my hardest to be available to you and your needs. Email is the best way to reach me during the school day. Please contact me whenever you have comments, concerns, or questions.

VOLUNTEERS – I love to have volunteers is our classroom. Please let me know how you can help out! I will create a quarterly calendar for volunteers.

WATER BOTTLES- Bringing water bottles to school is strongly encouraged, especially when the temperature in Arizona approaches or exceeds the 100-degree mark. According to district policy and health requirements, water bottles must contain water only.

WEDNESDAY BINDER REVIEW- Each Wednesday, your child will bring home his/her binder, which will include ALL the graded/checked assignments and school handouts. Please review the graded work and sign the appropriate area on the Wednesday Log as determined by the date. This will keep you aware of your child’s progress and grades. These efforts will prevent “surprises” on progress reports and report cards. Like always, please contact the teacher with any question or concerns about grading, assignments, or student updates.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download