The information on this page is intended to replace the former classroom handbook. It contains information that cannot be found in other places on my website. Click on a question to be taken to the answer.
1. How do you
handle organization?
2. What are your thoughts on homework?
3. How much testing can I expect in your class?
4. Do you have snack in the classroom?
5. May I send in a treat for my child's birthday?
6. What kind of classroom environment can I
expect for my child?
7. What field trips will you be taking this year?
Organization
In this
website I will outline some routines so that you can support your child in
his or her efforts to stay organized. I will work on developing
organizational skills with the class as a whole. I am particularly
interested in seeing neatly arranged notebooks, papers stowed in the proper
places, and assignment notebooks that are legible. I will send home work
that I have evaluated with students on Fridays. Your child should be
bringing this work home in his or her homework folder. You may wish to
review my marks and comments with your child. Notices will be sent home
from the office on Tuesdays and Fridays. Please ask your child for the
notices on these two days.
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Homework- It Shouldn’t Be Painful
The homework
that I assign is intended to reinforce or extend what has happened in
class. Occasionally homework will be designed to preview something we will
be working on in the future.
All students are expected to neatly record assignments in the
school’s assignment notebook. As a rule, homework can be assigned 4-5 times
per week, for 30-40 minutes each time. However, the amount of time spent on
homework may vary from student to student. After all, we are all
individuals. If your child becomes frustrated with a certain assignment,
please stop them! A note
from your child to me explaining the
circumstances in this situation will be greatly appreciated. I will then
clarify the assignment in class.
Should a child fail to hand in the homework or forget an assignment
at home, one of two things could happen. First, I may allow them to hand in
the assignment the next day. This is usually a satisfactory option unless
it becomes a frequent problem. Second, I may ask them to complete the
assignment during recess. However, this is not an option if the assignment
required working with a workbook that was left at home. In this case, the
child may miss a portion of recess.
There may be occasions when a child’s effort on the homework does
not reflect his or her ability. In this instance, I will point out where I
was expecting more and ask the child to redo the assignment in school or at
home.
Students should be completing the daily assignments independently.
I expect that the work they pass in will be their own work. There may be
occasions when you will have to assist them in starting an assignment, by
clarifying directions or showing them some sample answers.
You may find it helpful to make use of a large wall calendar to
keep track of tests and long-term assignments. This will assist your
child in knowing when assignments are due. Studying for tests is a perfect way to keep involved with
your child’s homework. We will be covering strategies for successful
studying in class.
Studies have documented the benefits of reading for pleasure.
In addition to the time spent on daily and long-term assignments, I expect
students to be reading independently for 20 minutes each night.
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Testing
One
thing you are sure to notice is that your child is expected to prepare for
tests more often than s/he did in fourth grade. You may be wondering how
often you can expect tests to occur.
History tests are scheduled after each major section of study. The length of each unit can vary, but usually it takes us approximately 6-8 weeks to complete a unit.
Math progress checks will take place after each unit of study.
In advance of each history test I will send home a “Sign and Return” sheet alerting you of the upcoming test. This sheet will be similar to the sample below.
Chapters 17, 18, 19, 29, 22, 23, 24, 25
History Test! Thursday, May 23
Sign and Return
Parent signature:
Student signature: Time to Review Your Notes
On either the same day or
the next day a detailed study guide will also be sent home. This study
guide will outline what students are expected to be able to do on the day of
the test.
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Snacks
Each
day I set aside 5-10 minutes for students to take a break and eat a snack.
Please help your child to select a healthy, energizing snack. Candy and/or
soda will not be permitted as a snack. I also encourage children to drink
from a water bottle during the day. I feel that it is important to be
hydrated at school.
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Birthdays
Even
in fifth grade, students enjoy having their birthday recognized. Feel free
to send a treat for your child to share with the class if s/he would like.
Please do not send something that needs to be cut up at school, such
as a cake.
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Classroom Environment
I strive to create a
safe classroom environment. Students should feel comfortable offering their
thoughts, taking risks, and knowing that they will be accepted and
respected. Creativity, diligence, and peaceful conflict resolution are all
encouraged and rewarded. To this end, the class will develop a peaceable
compact that we will all sign and agree to follow. Additionally, I will
share some consequences that we will use if someone does not follow the
compact.
The Peaceable Compact, which
will be developed the first week of school, will be based on respect, care,
and conflict resolution. Students will come up with the specific points
after discussing the following sentence starters:
In this class we
treat others with respect. This means…
In this class we care about each other. This
means…
In this class we use conflict resolution. This
means…
Positive
Consequences
Note to a student.
Verbal praise for a student.
Note home to the parents.
Phone call home to the parents.
Earn a penny for
the class. *see below
Negative Consequences
1.
Warning
2. Lose five minutes of recess
3. Lose ten minutes of recess.
4. Lose ten minutes of recess
and note goes home
5. Visit with the principal.
The Penny System
I keep a jar and a heaping pile of pennies in the room for use with our
penny reward system. Each time I see or hear something that is worthy of
reinforcement, I will drop a penny into the jar. The penny falling into the
jar makes a delightful clinking sound which reminds the students that they
have just received something good. An individual student can earn a penny
for the entire class, a group of students can earn a penny for the entire
class, or the entire class can earn a penny for themselves. Each year the
children ask, “Can you take pennies away?” In my mind, a penny earned is a
penny earned; once they earn the penny it stays in the jar. After the
students receive a predetermined number of pennies, they earn a reward. In
the past, the rewards have included 10-15 minute specials: extra recess, a
trip to the computer lab for games, a story from Mr. Harte, or extra
read-aloud time. At the beginning of the year, rewards should come to the
class fairly quickly. As respect and cooperation become the norm, the
amount of time between rewards increases.
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Field Trips
The fifth grade teachers
have some wonderful field trips planned for this year. As of this date, we
have one trip planned and are in the process of planning other trips.
Freedom Trail- Each year the fifth graders walk the Freedom
Trail in
Boston. We will be leading the fifth grade students
through the walk again this year, most likely in early June.
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