Dear Parents and Families,

Welcome to 5^th Grade! I’d like to convey some important information to you concerning routines, and expectations for this class.

First, please trust that I will strive to ensure that this will be a great year for your child in terms of academic growth, and also in other areas such as responsibility and self-discipline. Academic growth is dependent upon your child’s attendance, a willingness to work in school and at home, and completing assignments in a timely fashion! Listed below are the subject areas and a brief summary of structure and assignments for each.

Language Arts:

Reading:  We work in small groups doing novel studies. Throughout the year, there will be three to four groups reading different novels. The students are usually grouped so that there is a smaller range of reading levels within a group. As the year progresses the groups do change. In class, the students are expected to work independently on Language Arts assignments while I am working with small groups. We will also have reading lessons where we work as a whole class.

In fifth grade, students are required to read and test on at least three Accelerated Reader novels per nine week grading period. They must achieve at least a 70% pass rate for at least three AR books. Of course, they can read and test more than three books, but the minimum requirement is three. The students and I decide due dates for these as we progress through the grading periods.

Language Arts Packets:  These are basically reading and vocabulary exercises specifically assigned to your child. I always try to include reading material that will also expand your child’s general knowledge. Once I determine your child’s reading level, the packets of 4-8 pages are also organized each week. They are assigned on Mondays and due on Fridays. Students are expected to work on these in school, during Language Arts time each week. It would be a good idea if you check with your child to determine their progress in completing the packet. I do encourage the students to bring the packets home to give you an opportunity to check their work for completion.  They will be able to take them home on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If a packet is lost, it cannot be replaced by me since the work is sequential and progressive.

Writing:  In addition to grammar skills, specific strategies are taught to lead to successful written language experiences. I do teach “formula” writing, but I certainly do not limit the students to this method. We are initiating a new writing program at Beeks in all grade levels. The students should find it informative and structured so that they all will progress in their writing skills. In grading written assignments we follow rubrics. These rubrics will be provided to your student. I expect every child to show growth over time, no matter the level on which they began fifth grade. We do not produce many computer generated “writing products” the first half of the year. Our program requires that we follow the writing process and also focus on mechanical skills to help prepare for the state’s writing assessment the first week of March, 2010. However, expect a PowerPoint Project later in the year!

Writers’ Notebooks: We use a composition book for our writing program. I read them to see that the assignments we completed. Other writing materials are also used, provided at school. We will complete rough drafts in our Writers’ Notebooks.

Spelling: Students have already been given a large, leveled spelling quizzes to determine proper spelling group placements. There will be several spelling groups going on and they change throughout the year. Spelling lists are assigned by Monday and tested on Friday. Each student is expected to complete homework in spelling each week. Students are given “student choice menus” with different spelling activities for them to do at home and at school. These sheets are to be signed and returned on Friday. Remember, spelling counts!

Independent Reading: Students are ALWAYS expected to have a book to read in class, beyond their reading group novel. This will help fulfill the expectation to read three Accelerated Reader books and take a quiz for each, every grading period.  Students whom diligently read will increase their reading levels.

Math:  Math is taught using the Everyday Math program. I follow the program for the most part, but we will bypass a few lessons for the sake of time and state standards. There will be unit tests and pretests for everyone in the class. I always remind the students to bring home their Student Reference Book (Math book) home so that you will have a reference if they need your help on the homework!

In order for your child to find success in Math, they must know addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. Please review these facts with your child every night for ten minutes until he/she knows them! By knowing the facts, new math concepts will be easy to learn!

Science and Social Studies: The content areas are taught as “hands on” as possible. There will be reading assignments; students will also be provided typed notes, and also study guides for most units. Students should study several days before a quiz or test. The amount of material can be immense and also too complicated to understand the evening before the quiz. There are quizzes for every unit studied, and we must also review the content that was taught in 4^th Grade for the SOLs in the spring.

Graded Papers:  Please expect to receive students work back promptly, or at least every two weeks. There will be a piece of paper to sign, showing you’ve received the graded assignments. When done reviewing the assignments, tests and quizzes should be put into students’ binders. If you have any questions, send me an email or give me a call. Let’s make this a great year!

How to Handle Homework: Fifth graders are expected to spend 50 minutes every day reviewing math, science, social studies, language arts, and completing any assignment in these areas. They are also expected to read 20 minutes daily, making a total of 70 minutes devoted to learning at home. The amount of time for homework/learning expected only rises as the child progresses through middle and high school, so this is a great year to practice getting in 70 minutes daily.

·         Homework is written on the board daily and we fill out our agendas as soon as we get back from lunch.

·         Whole class attention is given to the assignment board everyday!

·         Homework is ONLY accepted one day late with no loss of credit. However, if homework is submitted more than two days late no credit can be given.

·         I will not allow students to call home for parents to bring in missing work. The consequence is theirs, not yours. If it is delivered after 9:00 it is late anyway.

·         I ask that all homework be submitted by 9:00 every morning in the proper area. If it is not submitted it is considered late.

o   If homework is late, then the student will have study hall/quiet room for part of the 5^th grade break.

Sincerely,

April DeMist

ademist@mcps.org, 951-5700