Independence, responsibility, and stamina are the major goals this year. Taking accountability for actions/behavior is also an important part of being a fifth grader. Throughout the year, I hope your child develops an interest and love of learning new things, thus becoming a "Life-Long Learner."

Mondays - ART

Tuesdays - SPANISH

Wednesdays - LIBRARY AND HEALTH

Thursdays - PHYS. ED.

Fridays - MUSIC

Homework

• Guidelines for 5th grade homework is 60 minutes, this includes approximately 20 minutes of independent reading. Most nights there will be a spelling page, writing assignment, math homework, and study/review social studies or science.
• This year, we will be "flipping" our classroom on occasion. Students will have to watch a lesson or video in preparation for the next day's lesson in lieu of a traditional assignment.
• Students should copy homework into their agendas/planners every day. Homework is copied at the end of the day. We stop early to ensure students have time to copy the assignments. (A fun alternate is to take a photo of the homework board with their iPads once they arrive.)
• Sometimes your child will have the opportunity to start or complete homework in class. However, they should still be showing you the work they have completed.
• Fifth grade homework is graded for completeness; not correctness unless specifically stated. If a student had difficulty with an assignment, he or she needs to let the teacher or classroom aide know to receive additional instruction.
• Homework is a review of work started in class. Directions and explanations are provided prior to assigning the work. Your child should need minimal assistance if they are paying attention and asking questions in class.
• Parents can help by checking for neatness and general accuracy.
• If your child has difficulty, PLEASE let me know so I can help them.

Organization

• All papers, worksheets, directions, outlines and notes should be kept inside your child's binder. (DO NOT empty or take out papers! We will have frequent BINDER CLEAN OUT DAYS.)
• Corrected work will be sent home on FRIDAYS via a FRIDAY FOLDER. Please sign and return by Monday.
• Students should not have "extra" items on or in their desks or in their binders. Minimal distractions are the key!

Reading Workshop has many components - Journeys, Class Read Alouds, Whole Class Books, Independent Reading titles, Literature Circles, Reading Response Activities, Projects, Weekly Writing Prompts, and Weekly Focus activities. We use The JOURNEYS curriculum to guide and supplement these activities.

• Students should read an independent book at least 20 minutes (preferable 20 pages) a night. (If they can't read one day, catch up on another day or the weekend!)
  
• Each week, students will be assigned a "WEEKLY FOCUS" activity that relates to the JOURNEYS reading skill or strategy. This Weekly Focus is usually completed using their independent reading book.
• During class, I meet with small groups of students. When I am meeting with these "guided reading" groups, students should be working on the Weekly Focus, reading independently, completing assignments for their guided group, writing and responding to reading.

There will be many writing opportunities this year. In addition, to specific writing tasks, students will write across the curriculum. Spelling, grammar, vocabulary and handwriting instruction also occur throughout the day.

This year, I am piloting the 4th edition of EVERYDAY MATHEMATICS. It is very similar to the books/journals we used in the past. However, the activities and processes are better aligned to the Common Core Standards. Students will be expected to use the "TRADITIONAL" methods for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. We will also incorporate problem solving and games into our daily routine. You can expect math homework every evening.

There will be an online component with student and parent access. Information will be sent home with each student.

With the exception of current events and news magazines, I will teach either Social Studies or Science at one time. Science is very hands on and students need to be active participants in labs and activities to understand concepts and ideas.

Social Studies requires advanced study habits and skills. We will incorporate study skills into our lessons and learning. There are many support texts, in addition to notes and outlines for each area of study.

This year, I am fortunate to have two volunteers to help facilitate in our classroom.

Mrs. Cathy Edge-Smith is my classroom volunteer. I taught her three daughters many years ago, and she volunteers her time to keep us organized. Mrs. Smith is in charge of filing Friday Folder papers, collecting and organizing forms, and ensuring Folders are returned. Mrs. Smith's days vary according to her "real job's" work schedule.

Mrs. Valerie Schumacher is a retired Stoy teacher. She volunteers in our classroom on Wednesday mornings. She is able to pull small groups or work individually with students who benefit from review or enrichment.