Welcome Phenomenal Fifth Graders
5th Grade English Language Arts, Reading, & Social Studies
That is the way to learn the most…when you are doing something with such enjoyment that you don’t notice that the time passes.
~Albert Einstein
Ms. Christina Doyle
E-Mail: [email protected]
Planning Time: 2:15 – 2:50 (M – F)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS & READING COURSE DESCRIPTION
In Fifth Grade Language Arts and Reading, students continue to develop their appreciation
of written and spoken language. Students will engage in rigorous study and analysis of various
works of literature including novels, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction texts. We will read
novels as a whole class, in groups, and independently. Students will engage in a review of the parts
of speech and enhance their academic vocabulary. The grammatical, mechanical, and syntactical
skills of language are practiced through daily writing assignments across the curriculum. Students
will have the opportunity to use media and technology for expressive, informational,
argumentative, critical and literary purposes. Extensive in and out of class reading, individual and
group research projects, challenging class discussions, and a variety of writing experiences will be
required.
5th grade students will:
• Study various works of literature
• Create an Interactive Reading Notebook
• Hone narrative, expository, creative and
persuasive writing skills
•
•
•
Discover text to real world connections
Study morphological vocabulary
Master English grammar
SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE DESCRIPTION
In Grade 5, students survey the history of the United States from 1565 to the present. Historical
content includes the colonial period, the American Revolution, the establishment of the U.S. Constitution
and American identity, westward expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction, immigration and
industrialization, and the 20th and 21st centuries. To support the teaching of the essential knowledge and
skills, the use of a variety of rich primary and secondary source material such as documents, biographies,
novels, speeches, letters, poetry, songs, and artwork is utilized. Students study a variety of regions in the
United States that result from physical features and human activity and identify how people adapt to and
modify the environment. Students will use critical-thinking skills to sequence, categorize, and summarize
information and to draw inferences and conclusions about U.S. History, Culture, and Geography.
5th grade students will:
• Build geography skills
• “Visit” the historical United States
• Understand American cultural development
• Study the intricacies of U.S. government
•
•
•
Discover connections between U.S. and
World
Create a Social Studies Interactive Notebook
“Meet” various historical figures
Assessment:
All teachers use the district weighting system. All grades will be recorded in the GradeSpeed. Grades will be
weighted based on categories of:
Class work (40%)
Homework (10%)
Quizzes (10%)
Tests/Major Projects (40%)
*No “extra credit”: To earn the best grade, complete work on time.
90-100
80-89
75-79
70-74
69 or below
A Excellent
B Above Average
C Average
D Below Average
F Unsatisfactory
Welcome Phenomenal Fifth Graders
5th Grade English Language Arts, Reading, & Social
Studies
That is the way to learn the most…when you are doing something with such enjoyment that you don’t notice that the time passes.
~Albert Einstein
Course Resources:
Houghton Mifflin English (Grade 6)
McDougal Littell The Language of Literature (Gr. 6)
Scott Foresman The United States (Grade 5)
Various Novels, Short Stories, Poetry, & Non-Fiction
Accelerated Reader
Study Island
Additional teacher created resources
A variety of magazines (Student Editions)
Expectations of Student Behavior:
Please refer to the student/parent handbook in the daily planner for school wide rules. Students are expected to
follow the expectations posted in the classroom. The Houston Independent School District code of student conduct
will also be enforced.
Presentation of Rules and Procedures:
During the first week of school, all rules, positive and negative consequences are reviewed with the students in each
class. These will be reviewed throughout the year, when needed. Rules and procedures are posted in the classroom.
Students and parents will sign a form verifying that they have reviewed and accept the terms and guidelines issued
in the Code of Conduct.
E = 0-1 mark
S = 2-3 marks *Students will receive a verbal reminder of expected behavior.
N = 4 marks
*Students will write a letter to parents explaining their behavior, needs to be signed by a parent.
U = +5 marks *Student will have 2 silent lunches.
*Serious offenses will go directly to the principal's office.
Students will be receiving separate conduct marks from each teacher. We will send home a conduct chart to convey
positive behaviors and areas that can be improved upon. These will be sent home on Friday and will need to be
signed by a parent and returned the following school day. The students overall conduct for the 9 weeks period will
be determined by an average of their weekly scores.
Classwork and Homework Policy:
We encourage students to take pride in their work, therefore all work should be neat, complete, on time, and
represent the child’s best effort. Due to individual differences in learning styles and work habits, time spent on
homework each night will vary from child to child. Your child should write down all homework assignments in
his/her agenda daily. If your child checks into school for a day (even if he/she checks in late or checks out early),
he/she is responsible for completing that day’s homework for all classes he/she attended prior to leaving school by
the next day.
Daily Planners:
Plan books are given to students on the first day of school. It is required that students bring their planners to school
and home daily, as well as to each classroom. Ample time will be given for students to record their daily homework
assignments and other school related information. Students are expected to copy the exact wording of homework
assignments in a legible handwriting. If a plan book is forgotten, misplaced, or lost, students can write homework
assignments on a sheet of notebook paper. Students will be required to replace their planner if it is missing longer
than one week. Plan books are also used as a communication tool from home to school. If a parent writes a note,
please instruct your child to bring the note up to the teacher at the start of class, rather than at the end.
Late Work:
All homework and classwork is due the following day, unless indicated otherwise by the teacher. Late work will be
accepted one day beyond the original due date, but there will be a deduction of 20% as a penalty. Major projects
will NOT be accepted late. Advanced notice and ample preparation time is given to students.
Welcome Phenomenal Fifth Graders
5th Grade English Language Arts, Reading, & Social
Studies
That is the way to learn the most…when you are doing something with such enjoyment that you don’t notice that the time passes.
~Albert Einstein
Absence Procedure:
We must have a parent note, e-mail, or phone call explaining an absence when a student returns to school. All
communications must be sent to the attendance office when the child returns to school. Failure to do so will result in
an unexcused absence. Work following an excused absence must be made up within two school days.
Communication with Parents:
Daily communication will take place in the student’s planner and via Schoolwires. Thursday Communication folders
will be sent home weekly and will include school news. We are happy to meet for a parent-teacher conference
throughout the week. Unannounced or unplanned visits are discouraged, as we like to meet as a team to be able to
fully answer any questions and address any issues necessary. Please email us to set up a convenient conference
time.