Mrs. Palmer's Class
Handbook for 5th Grade
Rules
Here at Ockerman Elementary and in my classroom, we want your child to be a STAR:
Safe
Truthful
Always prepared
Respectful and responsible
Class Website
I strongly encourage you to visit our class website on a weekly, or even a daily, basis. The website contains information about what we are learning about in class, helpful websites to use with your child at home, a calendar of events, and daily homework assignments. The class website is: www.teacherpage.com/ruthpalmer
R.O.C.K.E.T. Binders
This year, in an effort to help my 5th graders become more independent and organized, I am using ROCKET binders in my room. ROCKET stands for “Really Organized Children Keeping Everything Together”. I am supplying the binders for students this year, as well as a red homework folder that is to remain inside the binder. Students are expected to treat this binder as a textbook, and it will be returned at the end of the year. If the binder has been written on or damaged in any way, it will need to be replaced. Examples of what students will keep in the binder include: homework folder, agenda, spelling/vocabulary list, Rocket folder for weekly papers coming home, etc. Please make every effort to help me help your child to become organized this year so they will be ready and prepared for middle school next year!!
Homework
I believe that homework is necessary for practicing skills that have been learned. I expect all homework to be turned in on time. Late assignments will be graded if they are turned in within a day, but late work will receive a lower grade. I will not accept work that is more than a day late. Students will not be allowed to call home if they forget their work. Students should pack their book bags at night with all the materials needed for the next day. Organization is the key to success!
If a student fails to turn in an assignment, I will place a stamp in their agenda. This stamp will need to be signed by a parent; this is your official notification of missing work. If a student misses 3 assignments in a subject, they will be assigned to detention in order to make up the work. If detention is missed, the missing work will remain zeroes.
Behavior Management System
Ockerman Elementary uses the PBIS system of behavioral management, or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. We monitor student behavior and if necessary, intervene to correct behavior. In my classroom I have a color chart that is used school-wide. The colors, from best behavior to behavior that needs improvement are: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink. Each day, students start on green, indicating that they are ready to learn. Based on student choices about their behavior, students will either move up the chart to yellow, orange, or red, or down the chart to blue, purple, or pink. In my class, students can even move off the charts for great behavior and move their clip to a star.
Each week, students will staple a chart paper into their agendas. At the end of the day, I will circle the color they were on at the end of the day, and you should sign or initial it so that I know you are aware of your child’s behavior.
Agendas
Please make sure to sign your child’s agenda every night so that I know you are aware of what is going on in our classroom. Agendas are an excellent way for me to communicate with you. Examples of things you may find in your child’s agenda are behavior notes, notes about homework, homework assignments, etc. Please keep in mind that your child is now in the 5th grade and I expect them to have responsibility for themselves and their belongings. That being said, I will not be checking to make sure your child writes their homework assignment in their agenda. I will write it on the board and it is their responsibility to write it down each time. I will not write assignments in your child’s agenda for them.