To Fifth Grade! Mrs. Magarie Room 5-15 smagarie5649@stthomasschool.net

Fifth Grade Expectations Arrival: School begins at 8:00 AM, therefore, students are expected to arrive each day on time to not only avoid missing a lesson, but to not distract other students. Dismissal: Should your child be dismissed any other way but the usual way, A NOTE from home MUST be brought in. This avoids confusion when dismissing students. Students MUST be in full STA uniform as outlined in the STA Calendar/handbook. No nail polish, big bows, or footwear not acceptable in handbook.

Homework & Class Work Homework will be assigned daily in all subjects as necessary. Homework reviews what we’ve covered in class, therefore it is important that students complete their assignments accordingly. Class work becomes homework if not completed in the allocated time given. Any homework that is incomplete MUST be made up and signed by a parent.

Special Assignments From time to time your child will be involved in a group or individual project that must be completed at home and may include the internet. Please understand that these projects teach your child responsibility. Therefore, please guide your child in having all assignments or projects completed and turned in on time.

ELA/Reading Our language arts series is Journey by Hartcourt Brace and is aligned with the Common Core Standards. The program contains high quality lessons focusing on Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, Writing, and Comprehension. We will also use a Vocabulary Workshop program to further expand our vocabulary.

Journal Writing Using journals fosters thinking and learning in a lot of different ways. Students who learn to journal and keep a journal on a regular basis have the opportunity to reflect upon what they are engaged in every day. Thinking in a reflective manner is a great way to learn to think and speak more clearly, to be more precise, and more actively aware of what ones own thoughts and ideas consist of. Journals will not be graded for spelling or grammar, rather, students will be graded based on completing each daily journal entry. Journals will be collected, read, and from time to time, given some feedback or comments from any entry.

Book Reports A book report will be assigned in October, December, February, and April. A format outlining the expectations will be handed out at least one month prior to the due date. Points will be taken off for any report that is turned in late. Students are expected to do their best on all book reports and must follow the Book Report Format.

Literature Circles Literature circles can be effective ways for educators to assess abilities and meet the needs of students while giving them more responsibility and active roles to play in their education. The circles are small temporary groups of students that assemble at regularly scheduled times to analyze and discuss assigned texts. Skills developed in the process can vary from circle to circle and text to text. Literature circles are a cooperative learning activity to motivate students to want to read. Literature Circles help students use critical thinking skills while reading, reflecting, and discussing the literature.

Social Studies In fifth grade the main focus of our learning will be based on North American history. This includes So. America as well as Canada. We will begin with geography of North America: This includes basic geography terms as well as landforms & waterways of all No. America. Other topics include: Explorers, colonization, slavery, the Revolutionary War, and the US Constitution.

Assessments Social Studies: Assessments are given at the end of each Chapter and with at least a few days notice. Tests contain both objective and short answer questions along with one Essay. ELA: Spelling and Reading tests are given every Friday. Vocabulary tests are given every other Friday. All projects & assessments are graded on a rubric designed for that particular assignment. All assessments will be posted on Powerschool.

Field Trip Philadelphia – This trip is held in May and is an ‘all day’ event where students come back to school around 8 PM. This trip requires parent chaperones. Please wait unit we out information about this trip before asking questions about chaperones, date/time, lunch. Everything you need will be included in the packet.

What I Want From Each Student Treat others only as you want to be treated. Always do their best. Accept challenges when an opportunity arises. Learning takes place when you take responsibility for your actions. Come to school prepared and ready. Enjoy learning & life, they are great gifts to all of us!

Let’s have a great year!!!