Open House
Grade 5
Mrs. McKlin
Syllabus
Religion
The main focus is on the Sacraments. The Commandments and the Mysteries of the Rosary are also taught. Family Life is a ten-chapter booklet that will be taught starting in late March or early April. The School Nurse will be assisting me in our Family Life Program. Attached you will find more information regarding the units covered in our Religion Series.
There are 6 units composing of about 5 chapters each. At the end of each chapter a quiz will be given. After every unit there is a test. Students receive study sheets before every quiz and test. PLEASE make sure your child is studying the study guide. Answers for the study guide are given during discussion in our Religion period. Answers are given numerous times during lessons. Vocabularies are also given every Monday morning from that week’s chapter and should be studied daily and are part of the weekly quizzes, usually given on Friday’s.
I have done Adoration with Lou Schilly in the past. When I find out what time we will be going I will pass it on to you and you may join us if you like.
Spelling
There are 36 units. On Thursday’s a new unit will begin, all direction will be read including the Challenge in the back of the book. On Monday the first two pages of that unit will be graded, On Tuesday, the next two pages will be graded. On Wednesday, the rest of the unit will be graded and the score on the overall chapter will be taken. A pretest is also given on Wednesday, if a child gets 100% on the pretest they do not have to take the test on Thursday.
English
The textbook is divided into two sections. Part 1 is Written and Oral Communication, which includes building paragraphs, writing reports, exploring and improving writing skills. Library, dictionary, speaking and listening skills are also included. Part 2 is Grammar, Correct Usage, and Mechanic, which includes parts of speech, sentences, punctuation and capitalization.
The year will begin with Grammar, after completion of chapter 1 we will start chapter 1 in Written and Oral Communication. We flip flop between parts throughout the year.
Tests are given after each chapter in Grammar. Written and Oral Communication will be graded on completion of a written assignment. Each student will also do a written report and an oral presentation. The Report will be due in December. Most journal entries will be read orally. If everything works out in computers they will also have a power point presentation to go along with their oral presentation for a Math Project at the end of the year. Their Math Project will also count for an English grade.
Art
Mrs. Kertz and I are combining classes of some art classes. We are working on getting the students out of the classroom and into the art room. I will be doing some are lessons just for 5th grade, more holiday stuff and things inside the classroom that are ongoing.
Music
Band is offered to 5th graders. A letter from the band teacher will be handed out with more information.
From 1:20-2:00.
We also have a choir with Jennie Caniday.
Mrs. Klahs and I are combining classes one day a week when my band students are at band. Notes will be taught, identify instruments and what family they belong to. Songs will be sung especially around the holidays.
Computers- Computers will be on Wednesday afternoons.
PE
Mrs. Schilly will teach PE.
Speech
Speech is offered to all 5th graders. If anyone has any questions they may contact Nancy Meyer.
Math
There are 14 chapters including an algebra chapter in the math book. We will be covering 7 chapters before Christmas including a Midterm test (which will cover chapters 1-7) in December. We will start January with chapter 8 (Geometry) and end with Chapter 14 Algebra. They will also have a Final at the end of the year that will cover chapters 1 thru 14.
· Homework is given daily; please make sure it is complete. Math is built upon and if students get lost on one thing and have high levels of frustration then they have a very hard time the rest of the year. So please let me know if there are difficulties in math, so we can end the frustration.
· A test will be given after every chapter.
· Students are required to have a separate notebook for math. Notes will be taken and practice problems will be done in their notebooks. Notebooks should go home every night. I am hoping this will teach the students how to take good notes and will also be helpful for their homework and tests. Examples are given on the board on how to do the problems; students are required to put these in their notebooks for examples for their homewook. (Students usually need 2 note books for math; I suggest buying a few extra at Wal-mart while they are 10 cents. I keep a few on hand but I always run out.)
Math Team
I am limiting math team this year. I will only take 5 students from every grade level. We will meet several time through how the year. We will meet on rainy days at recess time in the computer room. We will meet in the mornings before school before a competition comes up. There may be other recess depending on how things are going. There will be worksheets that need to be worked on at home and then discussed at Math Team.
Anyone interested will have to discuss it with me. I will not tolerate any kind of behavioral problems either at our session or at a meet. A student will no longer participate in Math Team if there are behavioral issues
Reading
Mrs. Wehner is the 5th graders Reading Teacher. Students are given vocabulary words throughout their unit; they should be studying these regularly. All questions concerning Reading should be directed to her.
Read In
- Most teachers have time that they set aside for students to read. I do not. I encourage students to read when their written work is completed. I feel I would like their time with me to be to their maximum benefit. I want any extra time to be spent on English or Math that way I am here to help them. Once their worksheets are completed they are encouraged to read. Because I do not schedule time for reading I have a Read-In once a month.
So What Is a Read-In?
Once a month students bring in sleeping bags, pillows, chairs or whatever their transportation allows. We will spend most of an afternoon reading. This usually helps them finish a book that is required by Mrs. Wehner. I do not want students to rely on the Read-In to finish their books, because if time is an issue the Read-in will be canceled or the amount of time will be limited.
Science
Mrs.Fallert will be 5th graders Science Teacher. She sends home notes regarding projects and vocabulary is sent home at the beginning of each chapter; please look for them in your child’s book bag. Ask all questions concerning Science should be directed to her.
Social Studies
Mrs. Kertz is the 5th graders Social Studies Teacher. All questions in Social Studies should be directed to her.
Homework
Any written work not completed in class will be the student’s written homework. Not all students will have written homework, but all students will have studying to do every night. Everyone has homework of some kind every night. Students should be reading at least 20 minutes every night, (some will need to do more depending on how fast they read.) There will be vocabulary in Religion, Reading, and Science and there is always spelling words to memorize. Please do not let your child say they have no homework. They can always study. The average 5th grader should have about 50 minutes of homework a night, some will have more depending on how fast they work or if they have difficulty memorizing. If you find your child is having 2 or more hours of homework every night, please contact me; do not wait for Parent Teacher Conferences. (There may be some nights with a lot of homework but it should be very seldom).
Absent
If your child is sick and there is not a sibling to send home their work with, please call the office and tell them if you are going to pick up their work or if we should send it home with someone else.
If you have a vacation planned I would like a week’s notice. All work must be turned in before they leave. Note this is only for my classes. They may not get work from the other teachers until they come back.
Discipline
I have a few classroom rules that I would like you to go over with your child.
They are as follows:
1. Follow the directions the first time.
2. Keep hands and feet to yourself. (I remind the student that a pencil is an extension of their hand when they use it to poke another person. I also include throwing bits of erasers and paper a part of breaking this rule since it is their hands that are doing the dirty work.)
3. Be kind and considerate to others. (Good manners and good Christian values are what I expect out of my students and I will not allow any thing else.)
I advise you and your child re-read the rules that are listed in the school handbook, as all of those rules will also be enforced.
Daily Papers
Daily papers are given out after they are graded. I try very hard to grade papers nightly so the students should get their papers back the day after they turn them in. Please understand I do have children and if one is sick it can take me a couple of days. I cannot speak for the other teachers; I do not know there grading routines nor do I see any work done in their classes. Please, be aware that your children will be receiving papers daily either from me or another teacher. There are no Friday Folders or weekly notes. Each student is responsible for writing their homework in their assignment notebook. They are also responsible for writing down any notes from me or another teacher in their assignment notebooks.
***One of the jobs in my classroom is Assignments. This job is for 2 people to make sure every homework assignment and any notes from any of the teachers are written on the board. At the end of everyday students are to make sure they have everything written down correctly in their assignment notebooks.
If you have a child not writing down assignments I would suggest checking it every night and giving consequences if they don’t write them down.
Rewards
A student will receive a tally mark by their name when one of the following happens.
· Good Manners are especially noticed by myself or another teacher
· When they remain absolutely quiet in the hallway to and from classes
· When their tray at lunch is perfectly clean
· When they bring a church envelope on Friday
· When they sing every song and recite the prayers at Mass.
· On my discression when events arise
· When a academic race is won
After 30 tally marks a student may choose from a set of passes. Passes include but are not limited to:
· Teach a class pass (15 minute)
· Draw pass (15 minutes)- only art time is draw time unless they have a pass
· Computers pass (15 min.)
· Switch your desk to a new position
· Show and Tell (live animals must be schedule in advance and allergies will determine if an animal can be brought)
· Free Test question pass
· Switch a job pass
· ½ homework pass once they have gone over 120 tally mark
Book Orders
I will send out Arrow Scholastic book orders once in a while. Please, make the checks payable to Scholastic.
If possible do not send cash.
Mission Bank
I encourage students to give to the missions. Fifth grade has always been generous to the missions and I hope this class can continue that.
A mission carnival will be held during the 3rd quarter; I have always encouraged my students to bring in five dollars a piece. I encourage parents not to just hand over the money but to have jobs for their children so they can earn their money. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about giving to others. I know they all have fun and come home with goodies but I encourage the meaning behind the raffle and the helping of children in underdeveloped countries.
Morning Snack
All classes 5th through 8th grade will be having a small morning snack at 10:00 am. The 5th graders will be in Science at this time. This is a privilege and will be treated as such. There are a few guidelines the teachers have come up with.
1. First, the snack must be a healthy snack. (Granola bars, dry cereal, or fruit. NO candy of any kind will be allowed. I am also not fond of little Debbies or fruit snacks, please try and stay away from these types of snacks.
2. Students will not be allowed to share their snack for health issues. I suggest putting a few granola bars in their school bag so they always have something.
3. Snack privileges will be taken away if the snack is disrupting the class.
The idea behind letting the students have a snack at 10:00 am is some students have not eaten in 4 hours and need little nourishment to help through till lunch. It is not suppose to be a meal just a light snack to get the juices flowing so it is easier to pay attention and learn. I realize that some students eat breakfast at 6:00 am and some may not eat until 7:15 am, while some mornings we rush out the door and do not eat breakfast at all. Bringing a snack is not something that is required, and students do not have to participate.