5th Grade Reading and Language Arts

In order to provide our students with the educational environment they deserve, I have developed the following classroom procedures to accompany the school-wide rules for positive behavior. The fifth grade teachers strive to communicate frequently and consistently enforce rules and consequences. 1. Everyone should be respectful. Respond appropriately to correction. Respect other people's personal space, belongings, and feelings. Listen to the teacher and your classmates when it is their turn to talk. Make sure that everyone has an equal right to learn. 2. Everyone should be responsible. Keep your belongings neat and organized. Have everything that you need for class. Complete and turn in your assignments on time. Take responsibility for your actions, both the good and the poor choices. 3. Everyone has a right to be safe. Move safely and appropriately in all places. Use school supplies and equipment correctly.

If a student chooses to break a rule… One: Verbal Warning Two: Behavioral deduction on his or her class performance grade Three: Sent into the hall to write a note to his/her parent about the unacceptable behaviors that were exhibited during class. SEVERE DISRUPTION / REPETITIVE BEHAVIOR: When a student’s behavior is incredibly disruptive, disrespectful, or compromises the learning environment for other students, he/she will be immediately sent to the Principal's office. The consequences for severe behaviors are outlined in the school handbook. Parents will be notified of their student's behavior via phone when appropriate. Remember, the consequence for positive behavior is success! (There will also be other incentives throughout the school year.)

 You are expected to use the bathrooms between classes. If you come in and drop your things early enough, I will let you use the bathrooms quickly as long as I know you are here. Do not make this a habit, or I will no longer allow you to go and you will be expected to be here by the bell with no exceptions.

 As you walk in the classroom, please find your seat quietly and sit down.  Take note to the “I can” statements and “Essential Questions” for the day.  Place any notes, late home works, or scholastic money in the basket by the door.  If there are any assignments that need to be written down, please put them into your planner right away.  Take out homework and supplies and wait.  I will take attendance every period in the beginning so please be patient.

Homework is given for practice of content introduced and on going in the classroom. Homework will not count as a quiz or a test would. Assignments will be collected/checked for completion and general accuracy during class. Students will earn points for their homework based on the following criteria: 3 points= assignment was fully completed on time 2 points=assignment was mostly completed on time 1 point=assignment was somewhat completed on time

ELA grading is based on Reading, Writing, and Skills. All assignments are weighted. Assignments/homework will count as 30% Quizzes will count 25%. Tests/Essays/Projects will count as 35%. Class Performance will be worth 10%. All students will receive quarterly report cards with progress reports sent home mid-term. Parents can inquire about your current progress at ANY TIME. A sheet will be printed with all of your grades assigned to check for ongoing progress and/or missing assignments

Students are to put forth their best effort both in class and on their assignments. This portion of the quarterly grade is intended to reward students for performing in conjunction with the “Student Requirements” of being prepared for class, prompt, productive, polite, and positive.  Each student will begin the year with 100 points for a Class Performance Grade. The total points are awarded up front because the belief is that each student can perform in accordance with the “Student Requirements” written above.  The following points will be deducted for the given behaviors:  -2 points for coming to class unprepared with the necessary materials (M)  -2 points for coming to class without assignments (H)  -5 points for failure to be productive, polite, and positive (B)

 This year we will be studying through the Common Core Learning Standards.  We will begin with a mini unit on close reading and move into writing paragraphs and short responses. These skills will be on going throughout the entire year. You will be graded on these skills as well.  Each MODULE that we will cover will be made up of lessons, quizzes, assessments and an abundance of writing.  Each MODULE is broken up into smaller units of study.  There will be an Independent Reading component in this class that will be checked and graded.

 There will be an article of the week (A.o.W). This will begin around October. You will be responsible to “close read” a high interest article and complete the given tasks that go along with it. This will be homework.  There will be occasional spelling as needed. These lists will incorporate both spelling and vocabulary.  There will be “I can” statements as well as “essential questions” on the board

each day. Please look at these as you walk in to familiarize yourself with what your learning goals are for the day. You may be asked these questions at the end, and are expected to answer them. If you can not, you need to let me know A.S.A.P.  I will offer Scholastic Books often. There will be a due date posted when they are out. The book orders will always be on the shelf by the door for you to grab.

Each student will be issued an assignment planner in which he/she is expected to record classroom assignments, upcoming tests, program reminders, etc. Students will take their planners to all classes. Each teacher will go over daily assignments before dismissal. However, it is the student’s responsibility to record this information. There is also a section for notes between teachers and parents. Parents should check the planner nightly.

Module 1 Becoming a Close Reader and Writing to Learn: Stories of Human Rights Final Performance Task-Narrative Writing: Readers Theater Script and Performance of Scenes from Esperanza Rising Module 2 Researching to Build Knowledge and Teaching Others: Biodiversity in Rainforests of the Western Hemisphere Final Performance Task-Research-based Narrative Writing: Rainforest Field Journal Page Module 3 Considering Perspectives and Supporting Opinions: Sports and Athletes’ Impact on Culture Final Performance Task- Opinion Writing: A Famous Athlete’s Impact

Module 4 Gathering Evidence and Speaking to Others :Natural Disasters in the Western Hemisphere Final Performance Task-Opinion Writing: Preparing for and Responding to Natural Disasters