5-1 Teacher: Ms. Catherine Vollert

RELIGION: The fifth grade text is entitled BLEST ARE WE. Throughout the year, we will focus on the Sacraments, the Mass, and the liturgical year. At various times the children will help plan and participate in a variety of class liturgies and prayer services. The children are responsible for knowing the formal prayers on pages 9-16, along with other prayers that are located in your child’s student planner. There will be a Test at the end of each chapter.

When grading each child in Religion, we will take into consideration the following:

participation in class discussions;
knowledge of Church doctrine as presented in their text;
participation and knowledge of prayers;
the respect they show to others (the treatment of others);
written assignments, quizzes, homework, chapter tests, and class work which are done neatly and completed on time.

FAMILY LIFE:
Family Life will be presented at a designated time throughout the school--usually in the second semester. The program will address the Church’s concern for education in the important and sensitive area of human sexuality. Along with Family Life, the 5th Grade will participate in the Archdiocese’s Kid Safety Course on Bullying.

READING:
The fifth grade text is entitled Scott Foresman Reading-Fantastic Voyage. The reader is accompanied by a practice workbook to reinforce skills learned during the reading lesson. Each story selection has a test to assess the mastery of vocabulary, the target skill, and the comprehension of the story. This Selection Test needs to be signed by you. There are also Unit Tests to assess the comprehension, vocabulary, phonics/word study as well as research and study skills.

RAH (Reading At Home)
Reading at Home slips can be filled out and turned in for a monthly reading book raffle organized by Mr. White. Forty-Five (45) minutes of recreational reading is required per slip in Grade 5. A minimum of 2 RAH slips per month is required. A parent signature is necessary for each slip to be eligible for the raffle. Besides the raffle, there are different prizes awarded for the number of slips turned in throughout the year. (RAH slips serve as a raffle ticket for prizes.)

MATH:
The fifth grade text is entitled MATHEMATICS. Emphasis for the year will be on the mastery of place and value of whole numbers and decimals; adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing of whole numbers, decimals and fractions; estimation of sums, differences, products, and quotients; integers and messurement.
Assessments will be based on homework, class work, quizzes, and tests. All tests will be sent home to be signed and returned. All math work is MUST done in pencil.

ENGLISH:
The fifth grade English series is published by Houghton Mifflin. The series integrates grammar and composition. Assessments will be based on homework, class work, quizzes, and tests. Unit tests are given after grammar chapters have been taught. Your child should master the eight parts of speech on the fifth grade level. The writing process will be taught through several assignments. For example: writing to tell a story, to describe, to instruct, and to persuade. St. Anne uses the Step Up to Writing process.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
The fifth grade text is entitled UNITED STATES HISTORY: EARLY YEARS. The emphasis of study will be on: The United States as a land of diversity, the exploration, the settling and colonization of the United States, the winning of Independence, the writing of the Constitution, and the shaping of the new government. Students are responsible for the key terms of each lesson. The students will be given periodic quizzes during the study of the chapter. The Practice Book for Social Studies has Lesson Summaries at the end of each chapter. At the conclusion of each chapter, a test will be given from this summary. Throughout the year, map skills and geography are taught and/or reviewed. In addition, all students are expected to know the name and location of the fifty United States and their Capitals. In the Spring the class will be working on a state project.

SPELLING;
The fifth grade workbook is from the Scott Foresman Spelling Workbook. The students are expected to complete one lesson a week. They will be tested on the twenty list words presented at the beginning of the lesson. At the teacher’s discretion, words from the other subject areas can be added to the lesson. After every 5 lessons there will be a review week, in which 20 words will be chosen from those 5 lessons. Tests are usually given on Friday.

GRADES:
Grades are based on the percentage of scores received on tests/quizzes, homework, class work, and class participation.

ILLNESS:
Children are responsible to get their assignments from a reliable friend or family member. If you would like their homework sent home, please notify the office before 9a.m. A written note must be given to the classroom teacher upon return for being absent. Please refer to the Parent Handbook (Page 18).

Procedures for 5th Grade
Regarding Homework/Planners/Absentees/Tests & Quizzes:
On the classroom board each subject is listed. Students are to record their homework in their homework planners.

Periodically parents will be required to sign you child’s planner.

If homework is not done, is lost, or left at home, etc. I will note it in my grade book. After three (3) notations, grades are affected and parents are notified.

If a student is absent a fellow student or the teacher will write down class work and homework. Students are to turn in their completed work when they return to school.

Every other week students will bring home their “take home” folders. Please take the time to look over their work and to sign the papers that are in the “need to be signed” section of the folder. Please make sure your student returns the folder to the classroom.

Tests and quizzes need to be signed by a parent. These quizzes or tests will be in the student’s “take home” folders.

Regarding Birthdays:
A parent may bring a treat for their child’s birthday, which is enjoyed at recess. Please send a simple treat i.e. cookies, doughnuts, etc. but do not send any warm and hot foods. And birthday lunches are NOT allowed.
Also, please no “goodie” bags.

Class Parties:
Ms. Vollert plan the four parties for the entire school year: Halloween, Christmas, Chinese New Year, and End of Year Party. This list is submitted to the room parents. The room parents notify children when it is their turn to contribute to one of the class parties.

Behavioral Expectations (Conduct) and Learning Skills (Effort):
Students who consistently contribute their ideas, their time, and their cooperation to the class will receive a grade of “1”.
Students with satisfactory conduct and effort will receive a grade of “2”.
Students with unacceptable conduct and effort will receive a grade of “3” or “4”.
Students with a “3” or “4” in conduct or effort will not be eligible for Honor Roll.
**Note: there will no more pluses (+) or minuses (-) for Behavior Expectations and Learning Skills.

5th Grade Math Procedures
Students should know basic facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, so that these can be applied to more difficult work.

• All work must be completed in PENCIL.
• You must show all work to receive credit on any assignment, quiz, and test.

The emphasis for the year will be on the mastery of place and value of whole numbers and decimals; adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing of whole numbers, decimals and fractions; estimation of sums, differences, products, and quotients; integers and measurement.
Computation: Copy the problem and solve.
Problem Solving: Follow the four and five step methods. Label work and answer.
The Math Notebook: The math notebook is for terminology, notes, seatwork, and to show methods on how to solve problems.
Homework:
Homework is due the next day. It is corrected, graded and recorded. If homework is not done, is lost, or left at home, etc. I will note it in my grade book. After three (3) notations, grades are affected and parents are notified.
Signed Quizzed and Tests:
I will send home quizzes or tests to be signed by a parent. These quizzes or tests will be in the student’s “take home” folders.

FIFTH GRADE READING PROGRAM
GOALS
In order to foster a love of reading and to improve comprehension, vocabulary, and knowledge, the fifth grade will use the Scott Foresman reading series, Reading, Fantastic Voyage. Classwork/Homework will be in the practice workbook. Skills acquired during reading will be employed in reading and studying in the content subjects across the curriculum.
BOOK REPORTS
There will be a few book reports during the course of the year. The type of book for each report will be announced. It will be either written or a project such as a book jacket, poster, movie ad, power point, slideshow, etc. I will explain these options in detail to the students in advance so that they will have time to read the book and complete the assignment.
READING CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK
The Practice Workbook will be used in conjunction with the textbook to reinforce skills learned throughout the reading lessons. These skills include various target skills (i.e. sequence, character, main ideas and supporting details, generalizing, etc.), research/study skills (i.e. the importance and proper use of dictionary/glossary, locate/collect information, announcement/poster, etc.), vocabulary, phonics, and word studies.

Homework is corrected the following day, unless otherwise stated in your child’s Student Planner. Unfinished class work, if not already corrected in class may also be completed for homework. If the reading homework is not completed, forgotten at home, not done, or lost, I will note it in my grade book. If your child has 3 missed assignments, grades will be affected, a letter will be sent home for your signature, and should be returned the following day.

The participation grade includes classwork/homework, tests signed and returned, conduct, and RAH slips.

*Please note: Some reading sections may take more than a week to thoroughly complete. Students will be assigned to reread each story, go over the comprehension check, and study the vocabulary words prior to each selection test. Notices will be sent home a few days prior to the Unit Tests, which will include date and content. We will go at a flow and pace that suit the students.
RAH SLIPS
Reading at home slips can be filled out and turned in for a monthly reading book raffle organized by Mr. White. Forty-five (45) minutes of recreational reading is required per slip in 5th Grade. A minimum of 2 RAH slips per month is encouraged to boost participation grades. A parent signature is necessary for each slip to be eligible for the raffle. Besides the raffle, there are different prizes awarded for the number of slips turned in throughout the year. (RAH slips serve as a raffle ticket for prizes.)