August 2016
Dear Families,
I am looking forward to a wonderful year of teaching and learning with your child. My expectations are very high for your children because I believe that everyone can reach SUCCESS! It is my goal to develop RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE LEARNERS who seek knowledge, accept challenges, and grow from mistakes. All students are entitled to a safe and positive learning environment that promotes a high self-esteem. To facilitate this, our classroom community runs on five basic agreements:
1. Be Respectful
2. Be Responsible
3. Be Friendly
4. Be Safe
5. Be Productive
By following these simple guidelines, your child will gain an understanding of the behaviors which will encourage personal success, both academically and socially.
Classroom Management
Students will be rewarded for appropriate behavior in the following manner:
1. Positive behavior is reinforced by compliments from the teacher. Community
circles are held to reinforce character education. During this time, compliments are
also made by the students to other students.
2. Group points may be awarded to groups who are following the directions. The group with the most points will be given a special treat by the teacher.
3. Students can earn Silver Horseshoes from all staff members on campus.
4. Each student is assigned a job in the class to reinforce positive classroom behavior and to promote
community. They will be paid in “Mahoney Money” for doing their job each day. “Mahoney Money” can
be spent each trimester at a class auction.
The following consequences are a result when a student is not following the classroom expectations.
1. REMINDER- The teacher will quietly remind the student what is expected of him/her.
2. WARNING- Fine (#foul)
3. CONTINUED UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR- Fine (#foul) and loss of 1 recess
4. PARENT CONTACT- If student behavior continues, a phone call or email home
will be made. They may also be sent to a time out classroom. (#foul/Fine)
5. PRINCIPAL- If student continues to not follow classroom expectations, and the teacher has exhausted all the behavior and discipline plans, student will be sent to the principal for the final behavior plan. (#foul/Fine)
NOTE: A $5 fine will be given to the students each time they have a #Foul. Fines will be paid in “Mahoney Money”.
Curriculum
The fifth grade curriculum is based on the Common Core Standards. Please refer to the grade level standards for more details.
English Language Arts (ELA) California Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
CCSS-Math grades K-12 (5th Grade Starts on pg. 40)
Language Arts:
Our language arts program is called Benchmark Advance. This language arts program is aligned to the common core standards and covers the following Units:
Unit 1: Government and CitizenshipUnit 6: Theme
Unit 2: CharacterUnit 7: History and Culture
Unit 3: Life ScienceUnit 8: Earth Science
Unit 4: Point of ViewUnit 9: Economics
Unit 5: Technology and SocietyUnit 10: Physical Science
These knowledge strands are consistently mapped across all grade levels. For example, K-5th grades will all be studying Government and Citizenship for Unit 1.
Another facet of our class’s reading program will be Accelerated Reader. By the end of each trimester, each student should read at least three chapter books at their reading level and pass an Accelerated Reader test with at least an 80%. Each book will be worth 10 points for a total of 30 points toward their Lang. Arts grade each trimester. If an AR test does not meet all the requirements (chapter book, at AR level, & pass with at least an 80%), it will not count as one of the required three books. It is the students’ responsibility to take an Accelerated Reader test on their books. The students' AR level will be determined by taking the STAR reading test on the computer.
Learning Center is another integral part of our reading program here at Russell Ranch. The students will be doing lessons/activities at their instructional level. During this time, they may be going to another 5th grade teacher's classroom. This ensures the students are getting the most beneficial instruction to suit their needs.
Writing:
In writing, the emphasis is on grammar, sentence structure, paragraph development, and writing using the 5-step writing process. Writing activities will include daily language sentences which focus on correct sentence structure and punctuation. We will also focus on opinion, informative/explanatory, and narrative writing.
Math:
Our Math program is called enVision MATH and is aligned to the common core standards. The enVisionMATH website will be an important resource for you throughout the year. It can be accessed by the PowerSchool Portal, the same place you access your child's grades. However, students use their log-in information. All students have the ability to access the textbook, homework, and lesson videos. It is published by Pearson and will cover the following Topics:
Topic 1 Place Value
Topic 2 Adding and Subtracting Decimals
Topic 3 Multiplying Whole Numbers
Topic 4 Dividing by 1-Digit Divisors
Topic 5 Dividing by 2-Digit Divisors
Topic 6 Multiplying Decimals
Topic 7 Dividing Decimals
Topic 8 Numerical Expressions, Patterns, and
Relationships
Topic 9 Adding and subtracting Fractions
Topic 10 Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers
Topic 11 Multiplying and Dividing Fractions and Mixed
Numbers
Topic 12 Volume of Solids
Topic 13 Units of Measure
Topic 14 Data
Topic 15 Classifying Plane Figures
Topic 16 Coordinate Geometry
A variety of individual and cooperative activities and daily practice are used to teach concepts with an emphasis on problem-solving.
Science:
Scott Foresman is the publisher for our science program. The three units in science are...
Physical Science:
Chapter 1 Building Blocks of Matter
Chapter 2 Changes in Matter
Life Science:
Chapter 3 Basic Structures of Organisms
Chapter 4 Human Body Systems
Earth Science:
Chapter 5 Water on Earth
Chapter 6 Weather
Chapter 7 The Solar System
Project Lead the Way (PLTW):
In a world where there are not enough people to fill the thousands of STEM jobs available, your student will have the opportunity to experience Project Lead the Way! This curriculum is the newest science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program for students in grades K-5. PLTW uses critical thinking, in a collaborative learning environment, where students learn about the design process in an engaging hands on format.
Social Studies:
Students will be using the Scott Foresman social studies program entitled History- Social Science for California – Our Nation. The nine units covered are:
The First Americans, Age of Exploration, The Fight for a Continent, Life in the Colonies, Causes of the Revolution, The Revolutionary War, Forming a New Nation, A Nation Moves West, and States and Capitals.
In addition to our standard curriculum, there will also be weekly assignments in either U.S. Constitution or States and Capitals.
Life Skills:
Students will learn important skills useful in their everyday life to help prepare them for the future. We will focus on organization skills, problem solving, study skills, and learning to work and get along with others. Students will also learn positive ways to solve conflicts. At Russell Ranch we use Steps to Respect and Caring School Community curriculum to help teach these skills. We also use BEST (Building Effective Schools Together) practices and teach autism/special needs awareness.
Other Activities:
Computer skills include the use of the Internet as a tool for research, word processing, and curriculum related games and activities. Students will use the Chromebooks weekly. Music and art are an important part of our curriculum as well. The students will have music twice a week, and art will be integrated with other subjects. Students will also be participating in PE once a week with Mr. Krewson and will be supplemented by me throughout the school year. Please be sure your child wears tennis shoes on our PE day.
Homework Policy
Homework is an integral part of your child’s education and will be assigned on a daily basis. It provides an opportunity to enrich or extend the classroom experience. I also feel that homework is a lesson in responsibility. Homework consists of 20 minutes of reading and daily assignments. Daily assignments will be written in their planners and are due the next day. Please review and check over your child’s homework and sign their planner nightly. If their work is not complete, students will finish it during their recess. Most of the daily class work and homework are worth five points per assignment.
While the majority of homework is due the next day, there may be mini-projects, packets, book reports, research reports, or long-term projects, which will require more time to complete. Students and parents will be apprised of the guidelines and the due date at the time the assignment is given. Projects and reports are worth 100-200 points per assignment.
It is the individual student’s responsibility (with help from a parent) to manage their time in a manner, which allows for the completion of all classroom assignments. It may be possible that your child will, from time to time, be bringing home unfinished assignments to complete. These assignments are due the next day and may, in fact, already be late. All work missed due to leaving class for orchestra or band, student council meetings, chorus, or absence is to be made up. Students are always given two days to make-up work after an excused absence. Please call the office or email me and arrange to pick-up your child's assignments for the day they are absent.
**Late work will only be accepted until the end of the school day of the due date. If an assignment is missing at the end of the day it will receive a zero. There will be no calls home for forgetfulness. Assignments not turned in on the assigned day may result in a timeout on the recess yard and an email sent home.
Friday Folders
Each Friday, your child’s Friday Folder will be sent home. In it, you will find notes or reminders from the office, PTA, or me. The folder will also hold corrected and recorded assignments from the previous week. There may also be assignments that need to be corrected and turned back in. All tests and quizzes (excluding open book tests) below 75% may be corrected completely on a separate “correction sheet” paper and returned for a 75% on that test or quiz. During the third trimester, tests may not have an option to be corrected due to preparation for sixth grade. Please review all the papers, sign, and return the folder the next Monday.
Online Grade Book
Grades will be posted online, and can be accessed through the PowerSchool Portal found on the school's website. It is important for you and your child to regularly track the progress of your child's grades.
NOTE: Grades are based on a cumulative point system encompassing the entire trimester. Grades at the beginning might be skewed due to there being limited points as we start the trimester.
Interpreting Codes
Grades are based on total points which are then converted to percentages and letter grades. Codes provide more information and should be interpreted as follows:
- ex -- the student has been excused from the assignment; an excused assignment is not included in the gradecalculation and does not have an impact on the student's grade.
- m -- the student did not turn in the assignment; this is counted as zero points and has a negative impact on the grade.
- ab -- the student was absent and the assignment needs to be made up. The student's grade is calculated as if he/she is missing the assignment. Full credit is awarded as soon as the assignment is turned in. Students have 2 days for each day they are absent to make up the work.
- L-- the student turned in the assignment after the due dateand received-10% for each day late. (no credit for third trimester)
- inc-- the assignment was turned in but it was incomplete. Incomplete assignments receive half credit and still need to be finished.
Homeroom has a category referred to as Class Business.Although you may see one point associated witheach assignment in this category, the points are used only to track compliance with a general assignment not associated with any subject. For instance, a field trip permission slip that needs to be completed and signed may appear as a class business assignment with a due date. When the form is returned, the student receives a point; if the due date comes and goes, the score shows as m. These scores do not affect any grade; they are for tracking purposes only.
Grading Policy
In fifth grade all students earn letter grades A through F. Generally, the student who demonstrates functions with minimal assistance, produces high quality and timely work, and demonstrates critical and creative thinking skills will earn an A (excellent). The student, who sometimes functions with minimal assistance, produces high quality work, and usually demonstrates critical and creative thinking skills will earn a B (above average). The student, who requires regular assistance in the classroom, usually produces work of satisfactory quality, and shows some evidence of critical and creative thinking skills will earn a C (average). The student who requires consistent and frequent guidance, produces work of poor quality, and shows little evidence of critical and creative thinking skills will earn a D (below average). The student who requires constant guidance, rarely turns in work, and shows no evidence of critical and creative thinking skills will earn an F (failing). Late and incomplete work and or low-test scores can result in a reduction of a student’s grade.
In all subject areas where points are awarded, the points will be converted into percentages. Generally, the breakdown is as follows:
90%-91% A-92%-97% A98%-100% A+
80%-81% B-82%-87% B88%-89% B+
70%-71% C-72%-77% C78%-79% C+
60%-61% D-62%-67% D68%-69% D+
59% and Below F
Homework, class assignments, daily preparation, quizzes, tests, class participation, long term projects, and group projects all are included in the grade that your child earns. Point values for classroom assignments are listed below.
Tests- 100 points
Quizzes- 25-50 points
Daily Class Assignments/Homework- 5-10 points per assignment
Projects/Reports- 100-200 points
Class Participation- Part of Listening & Speaking grade
NOTE: Grades are based on a cumulative point system encompassing the entire trimester. Grades at the beginning might be skewed due to there being limited points as we start a trimester.
*Extra Credit will not be offered during the school year.
Principal's Honor Roll is achieved by earning ALL A's in a trimester. Honor Roll is achieved by earning a minimum of 4 A's, with the rest of the student's grades being at a B. If a student earns a grade of a C or lower in any subject, they will not be eligible for honor roll. ALL subjects, including music, are used for determining Principal's/Honor Roll.
Daily assignments and homework will be reviewed by the students and teacher. Assignments will be entered into the grade book and may be marked with an appropriate score. Points and grades will be based on completion and quality of work.
In reading, students will be required to complete book reports, assignments, and/or projects this year. Fluid, expressive reading, word attack skills, the ability to summarize, and evidence of critical thinking skills will be considered when determining reading achievement.
In writing, students will be expected to show improvement in their writing ability, including the correct use of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Writing assignments will be assessed using a four-point rubric. Spelling is an accountability process in all subjects all year long. As always, handwriting is very important.
In math, students should have mastered the basic math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) as well as show an understanding of basic fractions and other math concepts. This understanding will be assessed in variety of ways including written description and computation. Assessments will be both observational and performance based. Students will take a concept quiz or chapter test every five to ten days.
All assigned tasks are expected to be completed with a high quality of workmanship: written in the student’s best cursive or manuscript, spelling usage, mechanics, word usage, and the consistent use of complete sentences. All papers should have a neat overall appearance. Students are also responsible for putting the proper and complete heading on all assigned work.