1. Mrs. Schaefer’s 5th Grade Class
Our Summit Hill District expectations for all staff and students are “the 3 BE’s”.
BE respectful
BE responsible
BE safe.

2. Behavior the “Walker Way”
Cool Tools (mini lessons)
Students who are good examples of the 3 BE’s will earn paws to be spent in “Paw Mart” once a week.
Students who do all homework and follow the “Walker Way” will earn a reward at the end of the week, and a special reward at the end of the quarter.

3. Misbehavior plan per month
1st time = Slip in pocket
2nd time = Another slip and miss intramurals
3rd time = Another slip, miss intramurals, plus
write reflection and get it signed.
4th time = A minor. Formal slip goes home,
lunch detention, conference with
parents and principal (if necessary).
Pockets are cleaned every quarter.

4. Language Arts
For reading, we will mostly use our “Journeys” series. Stories will have vocabulary to study. Quiz time will be written in the assignment notebook.
Study notes and D.O.L. in spiral for grammar.
The “6 traits” of writing will be incorporated into all writing assignments.
Read 20 minutes 20 days/month. Sign calendar. Return each calendar by the beginning of a new month.

5. PLEASE STUDY MATH FACTS!!!!
Math Common Core
Common Core series Go Math covers:
+, -, x, ÷ whole numbers, decimals, fractions
graphing, measurement, geometry, volume
PLEASE STUDY MATH FACTS!!!!
Go Math is concept-based not just memorization. Pictures and drawings are common.
Math book is soft-cover. Homework follows the lesson from previous pages. Yes, it is OK to help your child. Think Central also has great help on- line. Notes are also in math spiral!

6. Social Studies
The social studies website is
Notes and study guides are used for chapter tests. Most notes are in spiral. We will start with chapter 6 on colonization.
You will be notified about in-school and at- home projects so you can help encourage your child to do quality work.

7. Science
We will be using our new StemScopes program to teach concepts starting with Matter and Energy in Plants and Food Webs.
Notes are in the spiral notebook or on handouts.

8. Weekly Homework
I try to NOT assign homework on Fridays, but on occasion it may be necessary. BUT…
Every Friday students get a math motivator sheet. It will be due the following Friday. They must show their work. You may check it.
Every Friday they get a language packet. The pages are marked to be due on the upcoming Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

9. Being Responsible = Being Successful
Every day students should:
WRITE DOWN THE HOMEWORK
DO THE HOMEWORK
GET ASSIGNMENT NOTEBOOK SIGNED
BRING BACK THE HOMEWORK

10. Pockets are cleaned every quarter.
Homework Policy
1st day - Slip in pocket. Complete pink slip and get it signed. Return the assignment and pink slip the next day. You may complete assignment in study hall.
2nd day- If not returned, parents will be contacted. After that it could earn a 0%.
After 3 pink slips, you will earn a minor, to be signed by parents, and a lunch detention. Three minors will earn a major, and you will meet with the principal.
Pockets are cleaned every quarter.

11. Assignment Notebook
Completed assignment notebook (AN) comes home each night. No blank days. Put an X or NONE.
Parent signs it to confirm knowledge of the work to do. (3 missing signatures/week= parent contact)
After the first quarter, responsible students will earn the privilege of not having to get it signed. (They still need to do the work though) 
A copy of the homework is posted on my website to use as a backup.
They do not need to be signed on Fridays.

12. Friday Folders It comes home every Friday with papers from the week.
Parents sign and return folder on Monday. If not returned by Tuesday, miss intramurals until it is returned.
Sticker given if all papers are above 70%.
Papers below 70% will be listed on folder.
Feel free to contact me with any questions.

13. Absences
A child who is absent is allowed 1 day for each absent day to make up work.
If possible, it helps to have the missing work sent home so the child can keep up and understand the new lesson upon return to school.

14. Other Important Information
Treat Day: No forms. Just send $1 on treat day.
Conferences: They are held on Monday, November 20 and Tuesday, November You will get an letting you know to sign up on-line.

15. Remember:
Please remember to review the student handbook, especially the weapon policy and dress code. 

16. Recycling My goal is to save the earth.
I’m putting this on my web page instead of printing it.
I also encourage students to use the back of their paper. I reuse paper too.
I highly encourage the use of reusable water bottles.
I put the weekly newsletter on my website.

17. Contact me anytime The school phone number is 815-464-2285.
My is
If you just want to check for an assignment, you may look at my web page at