We will be using Houghton Mifflin Harcourt JOURNEYS, a comprehensive language arts program. It includes reading, writing, spelling, and grammar. The students will learn strategies and comprehension skills to help them become better readers. They will respond through written and oral responses and working in Literature Circles.
They will be given a Home Reading Slip each week to be filled out DAILY and signed by a parent validating how much they have read.
The students are responsible to read at least 30 minutes each night or a TOTAL of 2 hours (120 minutes) a week or more.
On Friday, they will hand in the Home Reading Slip, indicating the title of the book read, the number of pages read, and the number of minutes read each night. The parent will sign this slip verifying that this assignment was completed.
When the book is completed, the students will write an S.O.S. which is a short summary using the Story Frame and their opinion about the book. They will hand it in and I will include the number of pages read for that book. This will then be recorded on their
Revising Strategies
The children will learn to use transitions, vary sentence lengths and starters, write expanded sentences, write vivid words, write good leads and conclusions, and write figurative language like similes, metaphors, personification, and onomatopoeia.
Editing Strategies
The children will be learning proper use of the sentence, capitalization and punctuation, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and pronouns. Editing skills will be applied in their writing.
They will be given DAILY EDITS that will be graded by the teacher. This is a part of their grade in CONVENTIONS.
SPELLING - (Word Study)
The students will use knowledge of phonics, syllabication, prefixes, suffixes, the dictionary or context clues to decode and understand new words and to use them accurately in speaking and writing.
They will acquire and expand a reading vocabulary by correctly identifying and using words related as synonyms, antonyms, homophones, and words related through roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
§ Numeration
§ Adding & Subtracting Whole Numbers and Decimals
§ Multiplying Whole Numbers
§ Dividing by 1-Digit Divisors
§ Dividing by 2-Digit Divisors
§ Variables and Expressions
§ Multiplying & Dividing Decimals
§ Shapes
§ Fractions and Decimals
§ Adding & Subtracting Fractions & Mixed Numbers
§ Multiplying Fractions and Mixed Numbers
§ Perimeter and Area
§ Solids
§ Measurement Units, Time, and Temperature
§ Solving & Writing Equations and Inequalities
§ Ratio and Percent
§ Equations and Graphs
§ Graphs and Data
§ Transformations, Congruence, and Symmetry
§ Probability
Problem Solve: Performance Assessments PAT
The following steps to problem solve include:
· Restate the problem
· Organize the steps
· Label your data and calculations (use a calculator)
· Write the answer
· Explain your reasoning if asked
The students will …..
§ practice the skills and ask for help if needed
§ do homework online
§ complete weekly performance tasks (PATs)
§ Your child will be given 1 week to complete a PAT. It will be handed out on Tuesday and it will be returned to the teacher on Tuesday.
§ be prepared for tests
Text: STC Science Program
Foss Science Program
The following concepts will be taught:
§ Microworlds (STC Kit)
§ Mixtures and Solutions (Foss Kit)
§ Ecosystems (STC Kit)
§ Matter and Energy
The students will …..
§ Take notes using 2-column note-taking
§ Follow the scientific method while making observations as scientists
§ Do experiments
§ Write in their science notebook
§ Study each night
§ Take tests
§ Be prepared each day
§ Grades will be based on how they work in class, how they complete their science notebook, and tests.
TEXT: Harcourt Horizons
The following concepts will be taught:
§ Our Country’s Geography
§ A Time of Exploration
§ European Settlement
§ The
§ The Middle Colonies
§ The Southern Colonies
§ Uniting the Colonies
§ Pre-Revolutionary Period
The students will …..
§ Take notes using 2-column note-taking
§ Participate in class discussions
§ Complete projects and classwork
§ Be prepared for tests
§ Do oral and written presentations on Current Events:
1. They will be given a date to complete the assignment.
2. They need to find an appropriate article from the newspaper/online
3. In their packet, they need to fill in the outline,
type up a summary according to the guidelines,
and write an opinion or connection about what
they read. (FOLLOW OUTLINE FOUND ON WEBSITE.)
CLASSROOM RULES
At the beginning of the school year, the students brainstormed rules that they believed would make our class a happy place to be, where everyone is respected and feels comfortable in their learning environment.
Our class is a CARE-ing community of learners who believe in…..
Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Control.
Our rules include:
§ Respect for ourselves
§ Respect for others
§ Respect for our environment
§ Have fun and learn
ON THE GREEN
The students are given 3 chances to stay on the green. They all start out on green, but can move their card from green, to yellow, to orange, and then to RED. If they get to RED, they need to TAKE A BREAK and fill out a form, have it signed by the parent and returned the next day.
TURN YOUR CARD | TAKE A BREAK |
Off task | Fighting with others |
Distract others | Disrespectful to others |
Calling out | Cheating |
MAKE-UP WORK POLICY
If the students are absent from school, it is their responsibility to have a buddy to give them their work each day. The parent may request it and pick it up in the office. If they are absent only one day, the homework should be completed the next day. All homework and class work is expected to be completed each day.
Please fill out the Request for Approved Absence for Education
(please check the school calendar’s website for major events)
HOMEWORK/CLASSWORK POLICY
A parent must sign the homework planner each night and check to see if it is completed neatly and carefully. It is also very important to check the Homework Folder each night for important information.
Each morning, the homework planner will be checked. If the students do not have their homework, if the directions are not followed, or it is incomplete, they will fill out a Missing Assignment Sheet M.A.S. SHEET to be signed by the parent.
The consequences include:
§ Fill out the MAS SHEET:
For each marking period – MAS 0 = Advanced, 1 = Proficient, 2 = Proficient, 3 = Basic,
4 = Basic, 5 or less = Below Basic
§ Stay in for recess to complete the homework.
§ Complete the homework at home.
§ Parent Conference: Telephone or School if your child has many missing assignments.
ALL CLASSWORK MUST BE COMPLETED IN SCHOOL
HELPFUL HINTS
WORK AREA
§ Calm, clean work area (example: desk, kitchen table, bedroom, living room with TV off)
Bring homework supplies to your work space
§ Plan for homework time, break time, snack time
§ Check homework folder daily and empty each night
§ Talk to your family about your homework
HOMEWORK SUPPLIES:
§ Pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, dictionary, erasers, paper, supplies kept in container
HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS
§ All homework should be completed in pencil only.
§ All work must be labeled with your name and the date.
§ Your work should be neatly and carefully written in cursive so that it is easy to read.
§ Paper should not be torn from a notebook and should not have jagged edges.
§ Keep your homework clean and unwrinkled.
§ Be sure to check over and edit your work.
§ When writing, be sure to use your own words.
§ Always review and study each night.
§ Read your (IDR) Independent Reading Book each night. You will be graded on the number of books, number of pages, and number of minutes read.
REQUIRED
MINIMUM OF AT LEAST 2 HOURS EACH WEEK
GO FOR THE GOLD!
