Mrs. ZinkhamEvans City Middle School
Grade 5Room 64
I consider fifth grade to be one of the most important years in your child’s development. My goal is to ready your child for the less structured years ahead and to teach academic skills, organizational skills, social skills, self-confidence, and responsibility.
ACADEMICS
Math
Our Math series is Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Expressions. It is a comprehensive program that includes the basic operations using whole numbers and decimals, graphs, probability, geometry, measurement, fractions, percent, and algebraic concepts. The material in the book matches the Common Core state standards that the students are tested on with the State testing in the spring. In addition to practice work with the skills being taught, there is also instruction in test-taking strategies, problem solving skills, vocabulary recognition and higher level thinking strategies. Each student will have a Math notebook where they will record the vocabulary for the lesson along with the definition and example and also work out longer story problems using the steps required on the state tests. Those steps require not only getting the correct answer, but also a written explanation of how the answer was attained. The students are also expected to be comfortable using a calculator on the State assessment. We will periodically have classroom instruction with the calculators, and the students will be encouraged to use them on the open-ended story problems.
An important goal this year is for each student to master the basic number facts and develop automaticity with them. That means they are able to give the answer to the basic fact without giving it much thought. It is similar to reading sight words without sounding them out. Being able to answer math facts quickly allows the student to use them to solve higher-level problems without ‘careless’ mistakes. It also allows them to complete their homework assignments in less time.
Science
Our Science curriculum includes 3 units: Environments, Astronomy, and Health. We will be beginning the year with a hands-on unit on Environments, which will also incorporate plants and animals. We will then be studying Astronomy. We will finish the year with Health. The students will be evaluated based on homework, tests and quizzes, experiments, projects, and science notebooks. Extra effort put into homework, class work, and participation are all taken into consideration for final grades.
HOMEWORK
Home study is very important for success in school. Every child needs a definite time and place to do homework. Your cooperation in setting a time and place will be greatly beneficial for your child.
Each day assignments are written on the board. The students are expected to copy the assignments into their assignment books daily. They are to bring the assignment books home and back to school each day. Each night, we ask that you look at the assignment book to make certain all homework is completed.
Another way to keep up-to-date with assignments, projects, and tests is by using the Remind app.I will make every effort to keep the homework to a minimum when possible. However, please be aware that on days the students are pulled out for Band, Strings, or PURPOSE, there may be extra work to make up. These students are responsible for material covered and assignments given during their absence from the room.
Classroom Management
In our classrooms, we strive to set a non-threatening and respectful atmosphere. We expect the students to respect each other, all the staff at ECMS, as well as themselves. We also strongly believe in positive reinforcement. Therefore, when we observe positive behavior (such as acts of kindness, use of manners, prepared for class, assignment book complete, working or reading at bus time, etc.) the student writes his/her name on a piece of paper and puts it in the “chance basket.” Then each week three names are pulled to receive a “chance winner” which can be redeemed for a variety of rewards.
We also believe students need to realize that there are consequences for inappropriate behavior. We each use a “clipsheet” to curtail behavior such as running, teasing, distracting others, forgetting work, etc. Each student may have two clips per 5 day cycle without a consequence. The third clip results in losing recess time, next is missing another recess, then missing “super selection”, a letter to parent, a phone call to parent, a conference, and last is a visit to the principal. Every 5 day cycle, we start with a clean sheet.
STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Each 5-day cycle we spotlight a “student of the week.” That student is able to do many extra things during the week. On Day 3 he/she shares his/her photos on the special bulletin board, trophies and awards. The student may share hobbies or special talents with the classroom. Each classmate writes a letter to the student of the week. A note will be sent home prior to your child being the Student of the Week so that you will have time to prepare.
I want to thank you for your support in your child’s education. Communication between home and school is extremely important. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at school with a note, phone call, or school e-mail at . Please be sure to include “parent note” in the subject so that the e-mail is filtered through our junk mail.
September 5, 2018
Seneca Valley School District
Grading Scale
90-100%A
80-89%B
70-79%C
60-69%D
59% and belowF
Specials Schedule
Room 64
Day 1PE
Day 2CIRC
Day 3Spanish
Day 4Art
Day 5Music