Anne’s Class Policies 2009-20010
DAILY SCHEDULE:
Please see calendar page.
HOMEWORK POLICY:
Most weeks students will receive a homework packet on Mondays. The packet
will contain a variety of lessons that correspond with what we have been
working on in class. Students are expected to hand in the packet the
following Monday. Some weeks I may assign a more project based assignment in
which case no homework packet or a smaller packet will be sent home. In
addition to the packet, there will be nightly homework, usually in math, that
is to be completed and turned in the next day. Students are expected to read
at least 20 to 30 minutes per night for Book Bingo. (Book Bingo will be
explained at a later date)
DISCIPLINE POLICY:
I expect students to behave in ways appropriate to fifth graders. Students
will receive warnings when behavior is unacceptable. If more than 3 warnings
are necessary for the day, the student will write a paragraph explaining their
behavior. Parents will sign the paper and have it returned the next
day. If behavior is unacceptable I will immediately call a parent. Students
will follow the school-wide discipline plan.
MISSED WORK:
STUDENTS are responsible for making up all work missed while absent. They will
have as many days as they were absent to make up work. For example, if a
student is sick for two days, he/she will have two days to turn in missed
assignments.
PROGRESS REPORTS:
Progress reports will be sent midway through each trimester to keep you up to
date on your student’s progress. You will be expected to sign the progress
report and return on its due date.
PARENT LETTER:
Most Mondays I will send home a letter outlining what is happening during the
week. The letter is intended as a line of communication between school and
home. The letter will not cover every activity happening, but will give you a
an outline of what is happening in class, the school and on field trips. It
is the student’s responsibility to get your signature and bring it back the
next day.
AGENDAS:
Please sign agendas every evening. The students will write assignments in the
agendas daily. You may also use the blank space as a way to communicate with
me. I will do the same. It is very important that students keep track of the
agenda because this will be a daily assignment and an important way to keep
organized.
CONSEQUENCES:
Students who do not get agendas, Parent Letters, and homework in on time will
stay in for one 15 minute recess per each missing assignment. Students are
expected to meet daily and weekly deadlines and complete assignments.
GRADING SCALE:
90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, 59 and below F and
Plus = 100, check plus = 85, check =75, check minus =65, minus =50
4= exceeds standards, 3= meets standards , 2= nearing standards, 1= does not
meet standards.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Reading: We will cover independent reading, guided reading and book groups in
a reading workshop format. Students will read a wide variety of texts while
improving their reading skills. I will also read aloud to the students.
Book Bingo: This is my at home reading program. Students will receive all the
papers necessary to begin very soon. They are expected to read at least 20-30
minutes per night. They will be given the nine weeks to complete 5 books and
book summaries. Students may turn in the summaries as they finish them, or can
keep them until the due date and turn them in together. Please read over the
rules of Book Bingo in order to find out the details
Writing: I use a variety of writing instructional practices including the 6
Traits Writing Program. We will conduct writing in a workshop format focusing
on different traits throughout the year. They will improve their writing
skills by writing in a variety of styles. The students will follow the
writing process to publish their favorite pieces.
Spelling: I use the Rebecca Sitton Spelling and Word Program. The
purpose of this program is improve word experiences as related to the
student's work and not in an isolated word list. The students expand their
knowledge of words to use in writing, reading, spelling, speaking and
thinking. It is not a program where students memorize a list for a Friday
test. More information will be sent home at the beginning of the year.
Morning Message: This is grammar practice. Several days per week students
will have short assignments to accomplish during class.
Handwriting: There will be handwriting practice in homework packets. They
will also be required to write in cursive on certain assignments.
Math: Monte Vista uses the school-wide math program called Investigations
by TERC. It is our third year using this program, so hopefully you are
familiar with how the program works. The student's assignments come from a
student work book. There is a reference math handbook which is used for
supplementing their learning and to help you understand what they are trying
to learn. Students are expected to memorize multiplication facts this year.
Social Studies: The fifth grade theme is US history. We begin with the first
Americans and get through to the Civil War. I do lots of projects
based on the social studies curriculum integrating other subjects as well.
Science: This year science will be taught by Selena Shepherd. She and I swap
classes every month. I will send home information about her program at a
later date.
Art: We will have an APS itinerant teacher as our art teacher this year.
Music: We will have a music teacher this year. More information later.
PE: We have PE on Mondays and Thursdays at 9:15. Please make sure students
wear tennis shoes on those days so they can fully participate in class.
Computers: We will go to the computer lab on Fridays. Students will work on
typing skills and learn computer applications.
Weekly Homework: Most weeks there will be either an at home project or
homework packet. Due dates will vary project to project, but homework packets
will always be due the following Monday. The packets will be an extension of
what is happening in class as well as handwriting and spelling.
Nightly Homework: There is usually math homework 2-4 nights per week. I will
usually let you know which nights in the Parent Letter. There may also be
writing assignments to be completed.
Pull-out classes (gifted, resource): Our pull-out time this year is from 1:25
to 2:35.
Lunch: Lunch is at 12:22 (B) lunch on M, T, TH, F and at 11:34 on Wednesdays.
I expect students to eat lunch everyday either brought from home or from
school.
Drinks: Students need to have a water bottle with water only in class. Since
we are in portables it is a journey to the water fountain, and I prefer
students to bring a bottle labeled with their name that they can leave in the
class.
Gum/snacks: I allow gum in the classroom as long as I don’t see it or hear
it. Snacks are to be eaten at recess.