| Welcome back to School!
I am Emily Bennett and I am beginning my third year teaching at Nativity. I’m looking forward to starting another successful school year!
Course Description
Language Arts
Language Arts is taught in a 90-minute “block” period everyday of the week. Language Arts consists of grammar, reading, writing and spelling. Language Arts covers a variety of concepts—from parts of speech to reading strategies to the writing process. Be sure to check the “Scope & Sequence” to get a month-by-month guide of the topics being covered.
Religion
Fifth grade students have Religion for 40 minutes each day. The Religion curriculum covers a variety of topics such as different saints, stories from the Old and New Testament, and discussions on social justice. There is a large focus on the 7 Sacraments, which we look at in depth for most of the year. The 5th grade Religion course has many projects throughout the year including a “Days of Creation” mini-book, Stations of the Cross flipbooks, Sacraments PowerPoint, and many others!
Classroom Rules and Expectations
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Be Responsible.
• Be Respectful to yourself and others.
As a class, students will develop specific rules to follow in and out of the classroom based on the general rules above. Students are also expected to follow all school rules, as indicated in the Student Handbook.
Grades
The grading scale for the 5th grade is below:
• 100-99% A+
• 98-95% A
• 94-93% A-
• 92-91% B+
• 90-87% B
• 86-85% B-
• 84-83% C+
• 82-79% C
• 78-77% C-
• 76-75% D+
• 74-72% D
• 71-70% D-
• 69% and below F
Grades in 5th grade are based on a points system.
The percentage on an assignment/quiz/test/project reflects the percentage of earned points the student has earned out of the total possible. At the end of the quarter, a student’s grade is indicated by the percentage of total earned points out of total points. Total points possible vary from quarter to quarter. Points/grades for each subject start over at the beginning of the quarter.
Homework Policy
Homework is given on a daily basis. Homework will be recorded daily by the students in an assignment book provided by the school. Assignments will be posted in each teacher’s classroom for the subjects she is responsible to teach.
If a student is absent, he/she is expected to make up any missed work. Students should check the assignment board in the room for assignments. If there is still a question as to what needs to be made up, be sure to check with the teacher.
Missing Homework Policy
Homework is expected to be turned in on the day it is due. If homework is not turned in on the due date, students are given a “mark” on the Behavior Check Sheet (See Classroom Management). Students also must fill out a “Missing Assignment” sheet. The “Missing Assignment” sheet must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned before the assignment will be accepted for credit.
For each day the assignment is missing, 5% will be deducted from the earned grade and 10% will be deducted from the earned grade of projects.
If a student is absent, he/she has the amount of days absent to make up the missing work without being penalized (i.e. 2 days absent=2 school days to turn in missing work).
No Name Policy
Students are expected to put their names on the work they turn in for credit. Papers handed in with no name will have 5% deducted from the earned grade. Projects and tests with no name will have 10% deducted.
Classroom Management
In the fifth grade we follow a check system to track behavior. Students are given “marks” for not meeting the expectations on the sheet.
At the end of each week the students are rewarded with points for the amount of marks received in the week. Points can then be redeemed in the student store at the end of each quarter.
Students receive: 3 points for 0 marks for the week.
• 2 points for 1 mark for the week
• 1 point for 2 marks for the week
• 0 points for 3 or more marks for the week
Students who receive 5 or more marks in one week will lose one recess. Parents will be contacted if excessive marks are given in one week.
Communication
Communication between parents, teacher, and students is critical to the success of the student. Please be sure to email either teacher with any questions or concerns you may have.
Each Tuesday, a 5th grade Newsletter is sent out to parents/guardians with the latest news, important dates, and classroom updates. The newsletter is attached to graded papers for the week and an assignment slip that lets parents/guardians know if any work is missing. Parents/guardians are expected to return the assignment slip with their signature. Students who do not bring the slip in signed will be given a “mark” on the Behavior Sheet.
Contact Information
The fifth grade teachers believe it is very important to have open communication. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
1. The best way to contact us would be through email.
~ Miss Berndsen (Math, Science, & Social Studies) missberndsen@yahoo.com
~ Miss Bennett (Language Arts & Religion) bennettgrade5@gmail.com
2. You can send a note to school stating your concerns and a phone number or email address where we can reach you with the best time you are available.
3. You can call Nativity and leave a message. ~ The school’s phone number is 458-6767.
Links
www.askkids.com -- a child-safe way for students to do research
www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/world.htm -- a kid friendly atlas for help with map tests
www.arbookfind.com --a database that helps students search for AR books
www.factmonster.com --a search engine for various information
www.funbrain.com/grammar/index.html --Grammar games
www.chompchomp.com -- grammar definitions, games, etc.
www.nettrekker.com -- search engine
Textbooks
Reading Expeditions, J. David Cooper and John J. Pikulski, Houghton-Mifflin
Grammar Workshop Voyages in English (Supplemental) Beverly Ann Chin Carolyn Marie Dimick, Sadlier-Oxford Loyola University Press
Finding God, Barbara F. Campbell and James P. Campbell, Loyola Press
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