FYI - Mrs. Morrow's Class Grade 5
All You Need to Know to Get Started in Fifth Grade
Fifth Grade Goals
CLASSROOM GUIDING THOUGHTS
T.H.I.N.K. As fifth graders, it becomes very important that students THINK before they speak. Our words and actions can do great good or cause great harm. | Classroom Rules Words to Live By. | Making Mistakes It's okay to make mistakes. I hope students will realize the only way they can learn is to "give it a go" and learn from mistakes and errors along the way. |
T.H.I.N.K.
Special Days
Tuesdays - SPANISH
Wednesdays - LIBRARY AND HEALTH
Thursdays - PHYS. ED.
Fridays - MUSIC
Homework and Class Expectations/Organization
- 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
- 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.
The Vacation by Polly Horvath This will be our first read aloud. I believe that students should be exposed to all types of books. I also believe that fifth graders continue to benefit from a class read aloud. | The War With Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith This will be our 1st whole class book. We will establish reading response guidelines, review reading skills, and introduce new reading expectations with this book. We will read it together, with partners and independently. | Independent Reading Book Every student should be reading every day! The minimum requirement is SIX books a marking period. Students may self-select these independent titles. They may choose books from the class, school, or town libraries. Students needing reading suggestions or ideas, should ask Mrs. Morrow or Ms. Sweeney (our classroom aide). |
The Vacation by Polly Horvath
The War With Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith
Independent Reading Book
Writing, Spelling and Grammar (Word Study)
Writing Each student will keep a "Writer's Notebook". Stories, essays, and drafts will start in the notebook and then transfer to the iPad for final drafts and revisions. Students will write personal narratives, persuasive essays, letters, reading responses, essays, historical fiction stories, poetry, etc. | Spelling and Grammar Each week students will be assigned a list of 20 words (and 5 challenge words) that are all related to a spelling principle. Spelling homework will be assigned throughout the week. Students will be tested on the words each FRIDAY. Grammar principles and parts of speech will be taught in class via mini-lessons. We will incorporate these principles into writing projects and reading activities. | Vocabulary & Handwriting Students will be introduced to vocabulary in the context of stories, books and content areas. They will also learn new vocabulary with each new JOURNEYS lesson. Students are expected to know and incorporate these words in their writing responses and written work. |
Writing
Spelling and Grammar
Grammar principles and parts of speech will be taught in class via mini-lessons. We will incorporate these principles into writing projects and reading activities.
Math
There will be an online component with student and parent access. Information will be sent home with each student.
Social Studies and Science
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.
Math
| Social Studies This year, we will cover States/Capitals, Map Skills, Explorers, Colonial America, and the American Revolution. Many times Science and Social Studies will cross into each other. Tests and/or projects are given for each unit. | Science Science Units include Landforms, Variables, Mixtures and Solutions (if we have time) and our traditional EGG DROP. Lab activities and tests are given for each unit. |
Math
- Students must know their basic math facts to successfully meet the challenges of the program.
- Homework is checked for completeness and is given to review and reinforce concepts.
Social Studies
Classroom Helpers
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.