1. Math Groups
Math groups will switch again on March 31, 2008.
If you have any questions regarding homework, classroom rules, or proceedures contact your math teacher (Ms. Souther karen.souther@sesd.org or Mr. Walton mike.walton@sesd.org).
2. Back to School Night - Updated 03/31/08
I believe it is very important for the teacher, parents, and children all to have a close working relationship. It will take all three of us to make this a successful year. Tonight, I would like to share a little about myself and then discuss the class procedures, rules, curriculum, weekly schedule, homework policy, grading policy, class events, celebrations, and book orders.
Class Procedures:
The students are expected to behave appropriately and the following will occur if they choose not to follow the rules:
Verbal warning
Talk with teacher
Time on the bench
Student writing about behavior and how to improve it (Uh-Oh Sheet)
Meeting with Parents/Guardians
In addition to verbal praise and notes, students have received a “Pearson Express” card. Students receive signatures for good behavior and classroom jobs. The Express card is used like a real credit card; it can purchase privileges or items from the “Pearson Store.”
Classroom Rules:
As a class we have decided on five main rules in class and each one of us have signed to them.
1. We listen carefully and follow directions
2. We are cooperative and respectful
3. We work independently
4. We raise our hands to speak
5. We use school equipment properly
Homework Policy:
It is important for the students to continue learning after school hours. Homework is an extension of what they learned in class. Each night they will have comprehension, math, spelling, and sometimes a social studies or science assignment. They will also be responsible for reading a minimum of 20 minutes each day and write a response to their reading in their Reading Log. They may also need to work on a project. Each day in class students will copy their assignments from the board into their planner. All daily assignments are due the next day. Reading Log’s are due on the first day of the month. I expect all homework to be turned in on time and be completed to the best of the student’s ability. If they have trouble with an assignment, please attach a signed note to the assignment.
To help students understand all concepts, daily class work and homework assignment will be graded during class. At this time students will receive additional reinforcement for completed work.
Daily Folders
Each child has been given a plastic red folder. This folder is designed to enhance parent-teacher communication, and it also provides a safe place for important papers like homework etc. Because of this, it is important that this folder goes back and forth from home to school daily.
What goes into the folder?
- Weekly newsletter (front cover)
- Any important notes from parent or teacher (left side – clear pocket)
- Homework papers (left side – “Return to School”)
- Graded papers ready to go home (right side – “Keep At Home”)
- Unfinished work (leftovers) that need to be completed at home (left side – “Return to School”)
- Completed homework taking back to school (left side – “Return to School”)
- Misc. important stuff that needs to be turned in like: book orders, checks, surveys, field trip permission slips, papers for the office etc.
Grading Policy:
As many of you are aware we have switched to standard based report cards. Your students will no longer receive a letter grade or percent on their assignments. It is very important to understand that the numbers on the new report card cannot be converted to letter grades.
The report card is based on essential standards that can be found on the district benchmarks. The report card does not address all areas that we will be covering throughout the school year. The standards listed on the report card are what your child should understand and be able to apply by the end of the school year.
You will receive three report cards throughout the school year. The following is the schedule:
Ø First trimester ends November 9th
o Report cards distributed at parent conferences November 13th – 16th
Ø Second trimester ends March 7th
o Report cards distributed March 14th
Ø Third trimester ends June 6th
o Report cards distributed on last day, June 12th!
All lessons and objectives for this class are strictly aligned with the Content Standards for California Public Schools, fifth grade. You can access these standards online at www.cde.ca.gov/standards.
Some items that will be covered this year are:
Ø Reading Comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and different literature genres: through the use of Open Court and Word Quest
Ø Add, subtract, multiply, divide fractions
Ø Geometry, decimals, percents, probability
Ø Understand the relationship between fractions, percents, and decimals
Ø American Revolution, Native Americans, Geography
Ø Weather, Water Cycle, Periodic Table
Ø Plant and body systems
Parent Involvement/ Communication:
1/3 student + 1/3 parent + 1/3 teacher = 1 whole learning experience
Your child’s success depends on the involvement of you, your child and me. You may help out with class activities or if you have a special interest or hobby you’d like to share with the class, please let me know. If at any time during the year you wish to discuss your child’s progress or have a concern, please feel free to contact me by email (donald.pearson@sesd.org), or send a note with your child. You may also leave a phone message for me in the office. I will be happy to set up an appointment that will work with both our schedules. There will also be a newsletter going out weekly on Mondays. Please be sure to ask your child about completed assignments, they go home on a weekly basis. There is also a class website that will soon be linked to the school website. The homework is listed along with spelling words, vocabulary words, and the class calendar has all major tests, projects, and fieldtrips. There is also links to useful websites and other information. Be sure to check it frequently, as it is updated on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. The website is: http://www.cherrychaseschool.com/pearson/index.html
Class Events:
Ø Every Friday morning we have a school wide flag ceremony, parents are encouraged to attend
Ø November 29th the Environmental Volunteers will be doing a presentation on water for the class
Ø In February the students will be participating in the American Revolution Walk-Thru
Ø May 23rd – State Report Due
o Information will be passed out the beginning of April
Ø May 30th – States and Capitals Test
o Students will need to identify the 50 states on a blank map and name their capital
Ø June 2nd – 6th Science Camp
Ø June 10th – Year End Picnic
Ø June 12th – 5th Grade Celebration 10:30 A.M.
Celebrations:
Birthdays are a special day for everyone. Each student will be recognized on his or her birthday in the class. There is a new wellness policy in place for the state; we can no longer allow students to bring in sweet treats for their birthday. They are welcome to bring a healthy snack or fun school supply. Please plan ahead and let me know if you plan to do something for your child’s birthday.
Book Orders:
Book orders will be going home with your child throughout the year. You have a week to look it over and choose books with your student. If possible, please send a check rather than cash. The books your family orders help support the classroom. I receive points to purchase classroom items from each order placed.
