Fifth Grade Classroom Overview
School Mission Statement:
To provide excellence in education to our students, and to inspire each one of them to seek Christ and His Kingdom.
Classroom Mission Statement:
Develop RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, and RELATIONSHIPS throughout the year.
• RESPECT - Be respectful and polite to everyone and everything.
• RESPONSIBILITY - Be diligent in all you do and do everything without complaining or arguing.
• RELATIONSHIPS - Be kind and compassionate to one another.
Classroom Bible Verse:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Classroom Rules:
1. Respect all teachers, the Lord, each other, and yourselves.
2. Keep all body parts to yourselves.
3. One person speaks at a time.
4. Think before you speak (or act).
Expectations:
Academic skills your fifth grader should be able to do now (beginning of 5th grade):
1. Know their multiplication tables (up to 12) quickly from memory.
2. Know their addition & subtraction tables (up to 12) quickly from memory.
3. Write a complete sentence and identify the subject and verb.
4. Form simple paragraphs (topic sentence, supporting sentences, and conclusion sentences).
5. Read undistracted for 15 minutes.
6. Show comprehension by reading a piece of literature and answering questions about it. Most
literature is written at a fifth grade reading level.
Academic skills your student should have mastered by the end of 5th grade:
1. Master their addition, subtraction, multiplication and single digit division tables (up to 12)
quickly from memory.
2. Understand the concept of a fraction, know what common fractions represent, and be able to add,
subtract, multiply and divide fractions.
3. Read undistracted for 30 minutes.
4. Write a five paragraph essay on most any topic.
5. Give an impromptu speech on most any topic.
6. Be able to critically analyze something they have read and answer “thinking” questions about the
material.
Life Skills your fifth grader will be practicing this year
and how you can help your child:
1. Organization –
· Keep binder and paperwork in order every day.
· Know where your materials are (desk, locker, at home) and have them for class.
2. Taking Responsibility –
· Complete homework, obey classroom rules, treat others with respect, and communicate to you about what is happening in class. You can help them with this by easing off on reminders and make them face the consequences of their actions.
3. Taking Pride in the Quality of their Work –
· Turn in work that is neat and on time. Be prepared to re-do assignments that are sloppy.
· Take an extra minute to look up words to ensure meaning and spelling.
4. Time Management –
· Plan and work on small pieces of long-term projects so they are not working at the last minute.
· Understand that there are Bible, Spelling, and Reading vocabulary tests every Friday.
5. Character traits –
· We emphasize godly character traits and relate them to what we are reading in Bible and in what goes on in the classroom and at school.
6. Learning to struggle with schoolwork & homework –
· This year, like first and third grade, will be filled with struggles and accomplishments. There may be tears but your children will be stronger and more confident by the end of the year and they will be prepared for middle school.
· You can help them by telling them where or how to find an answer (rather than giving them the answer), being an organized parent, reading everything that comes home, and encouraging hard work. If you are relaxed and organized, your child will be more motivated and less stressed J.
Homework & Projects– My goal is for your child to finish their homework in approximately 60 minutes a night. Most every week there will be homework consisting of math, spelling, Bible verse memorization, writing, and reading. Projects will require long-term planning and organization.
5th Grade Year at a Glance, 2013-2014
FIELD TRIPS & SPECIAL DAYS (* = not all students will participate)
Date: Event: Location: Special Instructions:
September 25 Grandparent’s Day Celebration (Worship Center) Honor grandparents
October 11 Bowl-a-thon Woodlake Bowl Obtain $ sponsors
October 16 5th Grade visits middle school! (Middle school) Tribe colors
November 8 Parent/Teacher Conferences (classroom) Sign up to come
November 13 Veteran’s Tribute (Worship Center) Celebration
November 15 Joni & Friends field trip Agoura Hills Disabilities ministry
November 22 Thanksgiving Celebration (classroom) Party sign up to come
December 12 K-5 Christmas play (Worship Center) Costume?
December 13 Polar Express/Pancake breakfast (Connecting Place) Volunteers
December 20 Christmas Celebration (classroom) Party sign up to come
February 12-14 ASTROCAMP Idyllwild $$$, 2-night sleepover
March 13 Open House WVCS Special night
April 3 Walk Through the American Rev. (classroom) Costumes, mem. lines
*April 4 ACSI Math Olympics (classroom) ½ day
April 11 Easter Celebration (classroom) Donate eggs/candy
April 28-May 2 Terra Nova Testing (classroom) Daily state testing
*May 20 ACSI Art Festival (Worship Center)
May 22 End of Year Trip Catalina $$, full day trip
June 3 5th Grade Graduation (Worship Center) Try not to cry
PROJECTS
September 9 / 5 Paragraph Essay All projects will includean oral presentation.
October 1,2,3,4 / Book Report, Biography Poster board & essay
November 5,6,7,8 / Veteran’s Day Project Interview & scrapbook page
(Invite your veteran to chapel)
December 2,3,4,5 / Bible Project (Servant hood) Video tape
January 14,15,16,17 / Space Project Power point presentation
March 13
* This is the big one! * / 5th Annual 5-8th Grade Science Fair! Research report, Tri-fold board,
Props & Demonstration
April 24 / Book Report, “Holes” Essay
May 20 / Bible Project Graduation Poster board
Grading and Homework
As a general rule, I only record papers that have a percentage grade noted on them. If you do not see a % on your child’s paper, it is not in Renweb.
If a student receives a grade of 69% or lower on an assignment, the assignment will require a parent signature. The signed assignment is due the following day.
Quick Reference Guide to Grading:
Projects & essays that are turned in before the due date – 5% additional credit
Math tests and quizzes that are corrected – 5% additional credit
If the signed assignment is not turned back in - 5% deduction
A paper that is ripped, crumpled or stained – 5% deduction
A paper that is missing the name – 10% deduction
A paper that is not written in “MLA” format - 5% deduction
Class participation/Bringing materials to class- 10% of total letter grade
Homework/Classwork/Quizzes- 35% of total letter grade
Tests/Essays/Projects- 55% of total letter grade
Homework – Homework is graded & counts for 35% of the total grade.
Homework assignments will be handed out and posted online to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Homework or projects that are turned in late will receive 10% off the first day, 50% off the second day and any day thereafter. All homework will be graded on a 100% /0% system. If it is completed, a student earns 100% ! If it is turned in late, it will be graded under the late policy above. If students are absent, it is their responsibility to turn in absent work the day after they return to school.
Tests – Tests are graded & count for 55% of the total grade.
If students are absent for a test or quiz, there will not be a make-up test. Rather, the student’s next test or quiz will count as double. There will be an exception for unit tests in English, Science or Social Studies.
Long Term Projects/Essays
Long term projects and essays count as test grades. Students must turn in the assignment on the day it is due in order to receive full credit. It is best to turn projects in early to receive extra credit and ensure that your child does not fall ill on the day the project or essay is due. In addition, students will receive points off if the student waits to complete their project on the morning it is due.
Extra credit
Students may turn projects in early, complete math corrections, and choose to answer extra credit questions on various tests. Unfortunately, I will not assign extra credit for students who are not utilizing the above opportunities and just want some extra work to raise their grade.
Homework Passes
Students may earn a homework pass every five weeks that their homework is completed in it’s entirety. Homework passes may be used to skip a single assignment for an evening. Homework passes may not be used on projects or essays.
Extra Items Needed for some extra FUN!
Here is a list of items that each student will need for the projects that we work on in class. I have itemized the items by month so that you can have an idea of what is coming up. I will send out reminders in my newsletter as the time approaches J.
September
WE NEED ASAP> 3 large skeins of regular yarn (no chenille) 50’ sisal rope (can be purchased from Mrs. Hoevel) *4x6 close-up photo of your child this summer
October 1 sugar baby pumpkin (medium size, to decorate)
Newspaper and colorful magazine (for paper mache)
December 1 age/content appropr unisex book (for Christmas)
New, unwrapped toy for Toy Drive
January (1) empty, 2-liter bottle (for Astrocamp)
(1) colored paper posterboard (Dollar Tree has some J)
April Costume for American Revolution character
May $5 (covers surprise Mother’s Day, Graduation gifts and favors!)
* already purchased during the summer
Extra Items That Our Class Wishes For
Here is a list of items that are not required but would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
-Petco/Walmart scrip! (to help feed and clean our pets J)
-Michaels or Dollar Tree gift cards (for class projects)
-Paper shredder
-Electric pencil sharpener
-Solid color rug (6x9 tan or green for kids to sit on the floor)
-5’ or 6’ ladder
-3 beach umbrellas
-Paper cutter/picture cropper
-Reams of colored copy/printing paper
-Glossy Laser printing paper (white)
-20 white, red, or brown handled gift bags (Valentine’s Day)
-Solid color tissue paper
-Acrylic paint
-Glade refill bottles (cinnamon)
-Prizes (small stuffed animals, locker magnets, books, etc.)
-Ziplock bags (gallon/sandwich size)
-Paper plates (cheap, ruffle-edged)
-Tall, clear drinking cups
-Plastic bowls
-Wrapped candy (NO hard candy, soft/chewy only such as Starburst & Laffy Taffy & chocolate)
-Popsicles or ice cream bars
-Cases of water bottles
Mrs.Kim Hoevel 5th Grade