Handbook/CurriculumGoals for Fifth Grade
Academic: The students will develop into interested, responsible, and creative learners, who are able to work independently with confidence and enjoyment. Social: The students will create an atmosphere of respect and acceptance in the classroom and school. Spiritual: The students will grow in their personal prayer life and in their love of God; they will also grow in their understanding of the relationship between prayer, worship, and service to the community. SYNOPSIS OF CURRICULUM Religion: Our textbook focuses on ways in which we worship God. We will study the Liturgy, the Sacraments, personal prayer, Catholic Social Teachings, and Christian service as special ways of worshiping God. Friday liturgies are the responsibility of the elementary grades. Each grade is assigned three liturgies for the school year. Each liturgy is planned and lead by the designated grade. Prayer services for each grade are also scheduled throughout the school year as yet another way to come together and worship God. Service projects are also a part of the religion curriculum. They are a great way to encourage and teach children to reach out to those in need. Students will have the opportunity to help others in their community, nationally and world-wide. Reading: We work with the Scott Foresman Reading Street series, the emphasis of which is on intelligent and perceptive reading for both information and enjoyment. In addition, I will choose to include chapter books throughout the year. Most reading will be done in a small group setting. Language: We will be using the Houghton Mifflin grammar series this year which focuses on grammar, usage, mechanics and writing skills. Students will complete journal entries, essays, reports, speeches, and stories throughout the year. The students may also practice their language skills by doing a Daily Language Review. Each review activity emphasizes using Proofreader's Marks to edit sentences for grammatical and structural mistakes. Spelling: Most weeks, we will be studying one unit of spelling. Bonus words are optional, but could benefit student's overall grade. These words generally come from the same word families as those on the basic word list, and may also include words from other subject areas. Extra Words To Know from the 500 Most Common Spelling Words list will also be included. Test day is Friday. Spelling is an excellent area in which to help your child study, as the results are usually swift and satisfying! Mathematics: We shall have a brief review of basic math facts and skills and then proceed with the Go Math curriculum. The Go Math program is a comprehensive standards-based and vertically aligned mathematics program. The program's organization includes a wide variety of instructional material and multiple assessment options to support the needs of all learners. It is designed to ensure that all students master the appropriate standards, skills, and concepts at the appropriate grade level by on-going diagnosis of student needs. Students will revisit topics, concepts, and skills, and integrate new learning with previous knowledge and experiences. Social Studies: We will be studying and expanding map skills and our knowledge of the geography of the United States. In history, we will study early Native American cultures, explorers of the North and South American continents, and the early history of the United States. Emphasis on the states and capitals is another area of the curriculum. Students will research and study the states using many resources. Students will also practice research skills with the Daily Detective series. Each day students are given a new clue beginning with the most general and difficult. As the week progresses, the clues become more specific. Using a map, atlas, almanac, encyclopedia, or other tool, students research the clues. The object of the game is to use the daily clues to discover the name of the Mystery State. In addition to the social studies curriculum, there will be at least one project planned for each quarter. Some of these projects will be extended to include work in other subject areas. Fifth grade students will also study helpful ways to take notes and to actively learn and review for social studies tests. Binders for Written Papers and Tests: The last graded areas which you need to know about are the subject binders. In each subject binder, your child will keep all the written work, papers, and tests which are completed in one quarter. Each binder will have a section for notes, homework and tests/quizzes. This activity truly helps your child to develop good organizational skills, which become even more important as they go into middle school and high school. In addition, students come to enjoy the feeling of confidence they experience when they are able to keep track of all the papers they complete. You may find that your child initially needs some help and encouragement in this area. Please remember to return your child's graded papers in the Friday folder once you have looked over them. Music: Students in the fifth grade participate in music classes four times a week. At the beginning of each year, students review concepts and skills from previous years, preparing them as they move on through the music curriculum. In choir, students will: learn and expand vocal music techniques and reading skills, sing unison melodies, learn partner songs, learn songs with descants, canons, and two and three part harmony pieces, and listen to and perform music of different styles and historical periods. In band, students will: learn, apply and improve instrumental and reading skills in an aesthetic manner, and listen to and perform music of different styles and historical periods. Student assessment will be made by teacher observation, some homework assignments, and practice. Students will demonstrate their talents in the choir and band winter and spring concerts. Students in the fifth grade may choose to participate in the Mass folk group, Circle the State with Song, State Honors Choir, and the ISSMA solo and Ensemble festival. For choir information, contact Kathy Gorr at school: 336-5853 ex 103 or via e-mail at: [email protected] For band information, contact Stephen Lucaites at school: 336-5853 ex 405 or via e-mail at: [email protected] Band Sectionals 12:25-1: Monday: flute Tuesday: clarinet and sax Wednesday: trombone and baritone Thursday: make up day Friday: trumpet COMMUNICATION: A folder of your child's graded papers and other important announcements will be sent home each Friday. Once you have looked over your child's papers, I ask that you sign the attached slip and return the folder and the graded papers to school the next school day. In addition, I am also requesting that you sign all of your child's tests/quizzes. Your child will then organize all of his/her papers into his/her appropriate subject binder. It is very important that communication between parents and teachers functions smoothly and clearly. There is a pocket in your child's expandable folder for parent information. Please encourage your child to give you all papers and letters sent home by any teacher or by the school office, on the actual day they are sent, and to return any necessary forms, etc., to school as promptly as possible. I will communicate with you via email on a regular basis with updates, questions and concerns. You may also check my website for daily homework assignments and other important information. CLASSROOM DUTIES: As the oldest students of the elementary grades, fifth graders have some important responsibilities. 1. Students read once a week to their younger elementary buddies and share some special activities with them. 2. Fifth graders also have the responsibility of accompanying younger students to Mass on Friday mornings and helping them to become active participants in the prayers and music. BRADFORD WOODS: One of the highpoints of the fifth grade year is our 3-day trip to Bradford Woods in Martinsville, IN. Information about this trip will be sent home as soon as it becomes available. FIELD TRIPS: When we go on field trips during the year, I may well be asking parents to volunteer as drivers and chaperones. Please help in this area if you can; it will be much appreciated. CAREERS: During the year, I invite parents and friends to come and talk to us about the career they have chosen, and how they prepared for it. If you would like to speak, please contact me; we would be happy to see you! SERVICE PROJECTS: As stated in the goals, I want my students to see service as one of the essential ways in which Catholic Christians worship God. Please encourage your child to participate willingly and generously in the service projects which the school undertakes. Many members of our parish community give time, effort, and support to our children, and it is important that they, in turn, learn to reach out to those in need. CLASSROOM RULES 1. Listen carefully. 2. Follow directions. 3. Be prepared for class. 4. Be kind with your words and actions. 5. Respect school and personal property. 6. Use time wisely. Positive Consequences 1. Verbal praise 2. Three marbles in jar for no names on board or missed assignments for two consecutive days 3. Six marbles in jar for no names on board or missed assignments for five consecutive days 4. Extra recess, free time, positive note, or extra marbles 5. Fill marble jar for popcorn and a movie or other possible privilege Negative Consequences 1. Verbal reminder 2. Name on board=Warning 3. Name plus check=Lose 10 minutes of recess and name on log sheet 4. Name plus 2 checks=Lose 20 minutes of recess, name on log sheet, fill out Think Sheet, and note home to be signed by parent and returned 5. Name plus 3 checks=Lose two 20 minutes of recess, name on log sheet, fill out Think Sheet, and note home to be signed by parent and returned 6. See Principal **Severe clause=see principal, call parents, and possible disciplinary action HOMEWORK RULES 1. PLAN A DAILY HOMEWORK TIME. 2. TAKE HOME EVERYTHING YOU'LL NEED. 3. CHOOSE A QUIET STUDY PLACE. 4. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS. 5. DO YOUR WORK NEATLY AND CAREFULLY. 6. ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT, BUT DO THE WORK YOURSELF. 7. KEEP YOUR HOMEWORK IN A SPECIAL PLACE. 8. RETURN YOUR HOMEWORK ON TIME. Homework Policy for late work 1. First late=There is no penalty, but the assignment is to be turned in the following day. Student fills out Homework IOU. 2. Second late=Student stays in for 20 minutes of recess, fills out Homework IOU, completes Think Sheet, and turns in assignment the following day. 5% will be taken off the final grade. 3. Third late=Student stays in for two 20 minute recesses, fills out Homework IOU, writes a letter to parents signed and returned, and turns in assignment the following day. 10% will be taken off the final grade. 4. Fourth late=Consequences for student will be more severe and will consist of loss of privileges such as a field trip, class party, assembly etc. 10% will be taken off the final grade. Parents will be notified and a conference with the teacher will be scheduled. **Homework policy follows the quarterly report cards. Students will begin each quarter with a clean record after each report card. Homework Philosophy: Homework gives the student the opportunity to practice skills and to establish concepts taught in the classroom, so that real learning can take place more effectively. It allows students to work at their own pace, and to discover their own level of understanding so that they can become aware of what they have learned, and of areas where they need help. They will also come back to school better prepared with questions for discussion. Birthdays: Each birthday celebrant may bring a birthday treat to share with the class. Please check with me first for students with allergies. We will sing "Happy Birthday" to him/her. He/She will also receive a small gift, pencil, card, and bookmark from me. We usually share birthday treats toward the end of the day. CLOSING COMMENTS: Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. My school phone number is (812)-336-5853 ex 201. My e-mail address is [email protected]. I hope this will be a wonderful year of growth for us all, but especially for your child. Mrs. Siddons |