AWARDS Those students with Excellent Behavior for the week are often rewarded. Many praises are given daily. It is my belief that children love to be praised for their good work. It is my intention everyday to make sure that your child feels loved. Love encourages your child and makes a world of a difference!!!
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THINGS TO REMEMBER
1. Homework:There will be homework given nightly except for the weekends, unless necessary. A home-school connection will be provided for your child to copy assignments. It is your responsibility as a parent to go over the graded papers, sign and then have your child to return to me on the following day.
2. Graded Papers: Papers will be sent home every week unless otherwise informed. Papers from the previous week will be sent in a folder for you and your child to review. Papers with a grade below 80 should be individually signed. Each week the parent/guardian needs to sign the progress sheet which will be found stapled to the folder.
3. Conduct Report: There will be an additional report sent home with your child if there is a behavior problem or any other problem that may concern your child.
4. Transportation: If there is a different bus or mode of transportation than normal, please send a note or call the school office before lunch. Unless I am notified, your child will always take the same route as usual.
5. Money: Send all money for breakfast, lunch, pictures, etc. in an envelope with the child's name on it to help prevent lost or stolen.
6. Absences: If your child misses school, he/she is responsible for making up missed work. If your child misses one day, he/she will have one day to complete the missed work. If more than one day is missed, I will let you know when the work is due. It is very important that the work is made up or it will result in a 0. Also a written excuse is needed when your child has been absent. If no excuse is sent, then it is your child's responsibility to get the make up work in a timely manner.
7. Tests: Spelling words are given on Monday in a contract. This contract will consist of no more than 30 words. Daily assignments will be given and expected to be turned in on Friday. The Spelling words will go along with the Reading selection for the week. Please inform me if your child does not bring home a Spelling list on Monday. Students will be informed each time there is a test in any subject. Therefore it is very important to check your child's assignment agenda.
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Language Arts Requirements
Reading: Our students are reading from the Houghton-Mifflin Reading Series. We will read as a group, orally and individually. Your child will be scored on the number of words read in 60 seconds. As fifth graders, your child needs to read at least 180 words. Therefore, it is very important that your child read at least 15-20 minutes daily before going to bed.
Accelerated Reading--Your child will also have the opportunity to participate in AR and the books that are read daily by your child can go towards his/her AR points. This not only gives your child the opportunity to earn points, but will also build your child's vocabulary and fluency level. All fifth graders should have at least 100 points by the end of the year, which is about 25 points at the end of each nine weeks.
Spelling: Our goal in Spelling is to learn patterns during word study. Our brains then use these patterns to help us decode and spell more difficult words. Do not be alarmed if the list looks too easy. Remember: We are learning patterns. Your child will have an assignment each night (M-Th). Spelling contracts will be given on Monday and all assignments are due on Friday. Spelling test are normally given each Friday.
English: Language and conventions of Grammar will also be taught using the Houghton-Mifflin Reading First Series. We will discuss basic parts of speech and how to speak English correctly. There are two reports due the year. One report before Winter Break and one report after Spring Break.
Writing: Your child will be assessed on four different types of writing genres: narrative, informational, persuasive, and expository. Before the writing assessment, we will discuss each in depth. The writing assessment will be reported to the Department of Education.
Penmanship: As fifth graders, your child should know how to writing neatly and legibly. Cursive writing is not required, but your child must know how to form the cursive letters correctly. Occasionally, your child will be asked to write in cursive and graded. A handwriting grade will be given.
Each night students need to read at least 20 minutes.
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**Other assignments are given as needed for comprehension and review.
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