Mrs. Larkin's Fifth Grade Class
2009 - 2010
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to our fifth grade classroom. Please note the following
information regarding my background, philosophy and procedures:
I grew up in Michigan and graduated from Western Michigan
University. I earned a degree in Elementary Education with minors in
Mathematics, Science, Integrative Creative Arts and Early Childhood
Education. My husband, Jacob, and I moved to Atlanta to join the Sarah
Smith team.
My teaching philosophy is to help all students realize their highest
potential. I believe all students should develop intellectually, socially
and emotionally. I will work diligently to make sure that each student
feels valued and understands other¡¦s individuality. Students are expected
to
act responsibly and take control of their actions.
I will provide a safe, comfortable and orderly classroom
environment. I call my classroom a community of learners. I will give the
students opportunities to work individually, in pairs and in groups.
Students are held responsible for our school and classroom essential
agreements.
I encourage continuous communication between parent, teacher and
student. I will contact you in a variety of manners to help ensure that
your child succeeds. Communication may be by phone, e-mail or in written
form. Working together will help your child have a great fifth grade
experience.
Behavior Management:
Students developed our essential agreements. They include respect everyone
and everything, exhibit IB attitudes and have fun.
Conduct:
1. Practice self control
2. Obey rules and regulations
3. Control talking
4. Courteous in speech and action
5. Work and play well in a group setting
6. Respect others
Work Habits
1. Actively participate in class
2. Use technology
3. Return materials sent home
4. Listen and follow directions
5. Complete assignments on time
If a student exhibits behaviors that are against our agreements, the first
offense will be a verbal warning. According to Sarah Smith¡¦s Behavior
Plan,
if the behavior is a minor offense, the student will work on an IB
reflection sheet. If the offense is major, the student will be sent to the
assistant principal where consequences will be determined. This could be a
letter home, a call home or suspension.
Grading Procedures:
I will keep students and parents informed of due dates, book reports and
tests. Due dates will be placed on the classroom calendar and on my
website. Students will also be responsible for writing important dates in
their agendas and developing time management skills.
Students will be given time to complete in class assignments. If more time
is needed, students may take the assignment home and return it the following
morning. Points will be deducted each day the assignment is late.
Each student will have an agenda where they are to write all assignments. I
will not check each student¡¦s agenda unless the student seems to be having
problems turning in assignments. I encourage parents to check the agenda.
Each student should be aware that assignments submitted are expected
to be proofread. This should include correct spelling and punctuation.
Grading Scale:
Papers will be graded in two different ways. Class practice and homework
will be graded with a check „Ñ. The check means that I have received and
corrected it. At times, I will circle problems that are incorrect. The
student can take it upon themselves to redo those problems at home. No
extra points will be rewarded, as it is a ¡§check¡¨ grade.
Assignments that are placed in the grade book will receive a percentage
score and a letter grade. The scale is as follows:
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
F = Below 70%
Late Work:
All students are expected to turn in assignments on the due date. If an
assignment is late, 10% of the entire grade will be deducted. If a student
knows in advance that they will be absent on a day an assignment is due,
please make sure they turn in their work early. This helps the student
understand the importance of their education and time management skills.
Excused Absences:
If a child is absent from school, they will have the same number of
days to complete the missing work. (Example: If a child is absent for two
days, they will have two days to make up the missing work.) This will
include all tests, quizzes, class work and homework.
Unexcused Absences:
Students will have the same amount of days to make up the work as
absences. The students can collect their work when they return to school.
However, in an unexcused absence, the teacher is not required to assign a
grade for any of the missing work. The grade will not count for or against
the student in the overall grade. It would be like the grade never
existed. I encourage students to finish all work missed, as it will benefit
them.
Attendance/Tardiness:
Attendance is very important to your child¡¦s education. Students
who arrive after the 8:00 a.m. ring tone will be counted as tardy. They are
to receive a tardy slip from the office. If a student¡¦s bus is late, there
will be an announcement and the student will not be counted as tardy. We
strive for 100% attendance; please help your child arrive to school on time.
Curriculum
Math:
The math curriculum will come from Everyday Mathematics. This
program includes work with manipulatives, whole group instruction and math
games. Study Link assignments are to be completed each night. A parent
letter will go home at the start of every unit. This has information on the
material we will be covering and helpful hints to help you at home.
Language Arts:
Language Arts includes reading, writing, speaking, listening and
grammar skills. Students will be expected to complete monthly book
reports. Students should also make an effort to read at least 30 minutes a
day. Students will be writing in a variety of genres and learning the
specifics of each genre.
Speaking and listening skills are covered daily. Students will participate
in class discussions and practice working in groups.
Grammar skills are taught using the Macmillan Mcgraw-Hill English
Book. In addition, Mountain Language is used as a daily supplemental
program.
Social Studies:
The Social Studies curriculum covers the Civil War to the present.
We will be using the book United States History Civil War To Today.
Science/Health
Students will have the opportunity to experience many different
hands on experiments. We will cover topics such as, parts of matter,
magnetism, and natural landforms. We will be utilizing the science lab once
a week to help supplement our learning. We will be using the science text
from McGraw-Hill. Our school counselor, Leigh Mayerson, will be conducting
health lessons periodically.
Conferences:
I am happy to discuss your student¡¦s progress at any time. I will
meet with you before or after school. Please request a meeting time two
days in advance. Please feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail.
Phone: (404) 423 - 6369
Emails: a.a.larkin@hotmail.com
amlarkin@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Website: http://teacherweb.com/GA/SarahSmith/mrslarkin
I will do my best to make sure every student succeeds. I look forward to
partnering with you during this very important year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Amanda Larkin
Other Important Information
Testing Schedule (tentative) for this year:
GA Writing Test: March 4th, make-up March 5th
ITBS: March 9 - 12th, 16 -18th
CRCT: April 21 - 24th, 27th
Please keep these dates in mind when planning family vacations and other
appointments. Fifth grade students must pass the CRCT to move into sixth
grade. This is a very important test.
Class Birthdays:
Parents are encourages to bring a treat at 1o:30 a.m. We are happy
to celebrate the students¡¦ birthday on their actual day if nothing else is
scheduled during that time. Please give me at least a two day notice, so I
can plan the school day accordingly.
Recommendations for Private Schools:
I am happy to write recommendations. Please help me by doing the following:
1. Please give me the forms for all of the schools at once.
2. Fill out as much of the form as you can.
3. Please attach stamped and addressed envelopes.
Thank you.
Graded Tests:
Students will be asked to bring home any test where they receive a
grade of C or F. Please discuss the performance and what can be done to
improve. There will be a red stamp where the parent is to sign and the
student should return work the following day. I will keep a folder for each
student with their graded tests. This can be reviewed at any time.
Student Work:
Students are asked to complete all assignments in their best
handwriting. Ten points will be deducted for assignments without names.
Homework papers without a name will receive no credit. Students will have
40 - 60 minutes of homework a night.
Larkinville
Throughout this year students will have the opportunity to
participate in our classroom economy Larkinville. Students will
receive ¡§Larkin Loot¡¨ for completing assignments, following our IB
profiles
and attitudes, and adhering to our essential agreements. However
the ¡§Mayor¡¨ (me) may fine a student if they are found in contempt of any
of
the school or classroom agreements. Students will have access to ¡§cash¡¨,
checks, a debit card, and a savings and checking account. Students are
expected to pay rent on the first of each month. Some students may choose
to begin a business, or possibly work with other classmates in a business.
Students will need to use their Larkin Loot to purchase items in the
classroom. Example: if a student loses a pencil they may rent one for an
hour for $1, or they may purchase one for $2. The students will have a
chance throughout the week to open their own businesses to buy or sell items
within the classroom. If a student finds themselves in debt recess minutes
will be taken away until the debt is paid off. The purpose of this economy
is to help students identify a personal budget and explain why personal
spending and saving decisions are important.
The mission statement of the International Baccalaureate Organization
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and
caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world
through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end the organization works with schools, governments and
international organizations to develop challenging programmes of
international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active,
compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with
their differences, can also be right.
IB Website: http://www.ibo.org/
