Mrs. Benham’s Syllabus 5th and 6th Grades

Welcome to a new school year! I am looking forward to all the new discoveries we will make as we read great stories together.

Books:

5th Grade:

  • Reading 5, Pages in My Head. 2nd edition. Bob Jones University Press, Greenville, South Carolina, 2008
  • Reading 5, Pages in My Head, workbook.
  • Spelling 5. 2nd edition. Bob Jones University Press, Greenville, South Carolina, 2013

6th Grade:

  • Reading 6, As Full as the World. 2nd edition. Bob Jones University Press, Greenville, South Carolina, 2008
  • Reading 6, As Full as the World, workbook.

READING:

The reading curriculum focus is on the following skills:

  • comprehension
  • word recognition
  • vocabulary skills
  • understanding literary devices and story elements
  • study skills
  • use of informational texts
  • purposes of silent reading
  • communication through oral reading and composition

A strong component of our reading program is Accelerated Reader (AR). Students are required to have an AR book with them at school every day even if they have already met their AR requirement for the quarter. Please see the parent links for AR on my web page.

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AR REQUIREMENTS FOR READING:

5th Grade: 15 AR points per quarter

6th Grade: 15 AR points per quarter

POSTING AR TEST GRADES

In order to reflect an accurate reading average throughout the entire quarter, AR test grades will be entered into INOW at the end of the first week each quarter even if the grades for AR are still zero. The AR grades will be upgraded weekly to reflect each student’s progress toward completing the quarterly requirement. The scores change each week as points are earned. The initial effect will be a low overall average which should improve weekly as the student earns more points toward reaching the quarterly goal. So, please take note that these scores will be changing weekly during the quarter if the student is making progress with his or her AR reading requirement. A student should be half-way finished with AR each quarter by the mid-point progress report.

SPELLING (5TH GRADE ONLY)

The spelling curriculum focus is on the following skills:

  • learning spelling patterns
  • use of consistent study method when learning to spell a word
  • meaning-based word study
  • interactive learning and critical thinking
  • effective proofreading skills
  • application of concepts learned
  • dictionary skills
  • meaningful writing
  • spelling awareness

Students will be graded on daily assignments and a weekly spelling test.

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GRADING WEIGHT:

Daily Grades: 30% (daily classwork and homework)

Test Grades: 70% (curriculum tests, AR grades, and projects)

GRADING SCALE:

A= 90-100

B= 80-89

C= 70-79

D= 65-60

F= 0-64

DAILY PROCEDURES:

Arrival Time:

Lobby doors are open at 7:30 a.m.

Classrooms are open at 7:45 a.m.

  • As soon as classrooms are open students are to go to their lockers and get all supplies needed for the first three classes of the day.
  • All students should be seated and ready to begin work by 8:00 a.m.
  • We will begin with a daily devotional of a bible verse, the Lord’s Prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance
  • Students will have PE every day and must have tennis shoes for PE.
  • After lunch students will return to their lockers and swap their morning books for their afternoon books.
  • At the end of the day students will return to their lockers to pack what they need for studying and homework.

WEEKLY GOALS AND LESSON PLANS:

You will need to check my class page for assignments, tests, and projects each week. My class page will be updated each week by 9:00 p.m. Sunday. You will find each teacher’s class page link on the Glenwood website, .

INOW and GRADED PAPERS:

Grades are updated each week on INOW by Sunday night. Please check grades weekly. Graded papers will be sent home weekly for you to sign and return to me. Please check these papers with INOW.

COMMUNICATION:

Email is the number one way to communicate with me quickly. Emails will be answered within a 24 hour period if not sooner. I will send emails concerning schedules, homework, assignment changes, class functions, and behavior. It is very important that I have your current email address and phone number. My email is, . Please send me an email as soon as possible so that I may add you to my contact list. Just post “contact info” in the subject line.

If you need to speak to me in person, do not hesitate to call the school number, 334-297-3615. The office will connect you with me or give me your message and I will contact you during my planning period or directly after school between 3:30-4:00 p.m. Any time you would like a conference, just call or email and we can set up a time to meet. I am always available to answer your questions and address any concerns.

CLASS EXPECTATIONS:

We all will be held to the highest academic and behavior standards. In my class, mistakes are building blocks and are not to be feared. In my class students will feel safe to explore new ideas and activities as they strive to meet high standards. They will be encouraged to actively question and seek answers to those questions. Students will feel listened to and respected as individuals. They will receive guidance and feedback in all endeavors.

I expect all students to:

  • be respectful of others
  • be honest and fair
  • take a positive approach to all situations
  • do their very best at all times
  • maintain conduct appropriate for learning
  • take care of school property at all times
  • BE ON TIME EACH DAY
  • have all necessary supplies in class every day
  • HAVE AN AR BOOK IN CLASS EVEY DAY
  • read outside of school for at least 30 minutes EVERY DAY
  • complete all assignments on time
  • check their grades on INOW along with their parents every week

CELL PHONES:

Cell phones are NOT permitted in class at any time. Cell phones must be left in the student’s locker, turned off. If a student has a phone in class, the hallway, bathroom, etc., the phone will be confiscated and turned in to Dr. Graham. Parents will then need to go to the office to get the phone.