1. Welcome Back to St. Leo the Great School
Please find your child’s desk and read the note your child left for you. Kindly write a brief message back to your child.
Grade 5

2. Prayer for the Beginning of the New School Year
Dear Lord, as we begin this new school year, we gather
once again as your community of believers.
We thank you for the energy and the spirit that you renewed
in us through the summer months.
We thank you for the time to enjoy our family and
friends and to reflect on what is important in our lives.
Let this year be marked by enthusiasm and love so that,
with the inspiration of your Spirit, we may continue
to grow in our faith.
Help us to fulfill Your hope for us with honest intentions
and works of faith.
Let us be gentle with ourselves and bring laughter, joy
and love to others.
We ask this in your name. Amen.

3. A Little About Mrs. Berger
Graduated from Millersville University in 2008.
BS in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education.
Currently attending the University of Scranton.
Fifth year teaching, third at St. Leo’s.
4th grade – two years in NC
4th grade – one year at St. Leo’s
5th grade
Twin boys and a daughter

4. Classroom Management
Positive Reinforcement (stickers and H-E-A-V-E-N - marbles)
Be fair, consistent, and understandable
Fair is not always equal
Deal with disruptions with as little interruption as possible
Visuals
Classroom Rules
Respect each other, each others property, and yourself.
Mouth closed during tests and while others are talking.
Raise your hand to speak.
Be all that you can be. Be Excellent!
Think… “W.W.J.D.?” (What Would Jesus Do?)

5. Homework Planners - responsibility Policy
Homework detention will be given for four or more missed or incomplete homework assignments.
One missed assignment – 1st warning
Two missed assignments – 2nd warning
Three missed assignments – 3rd warning
Four missed assignments – Homework detention
A homework notice will be sent home for every missed or incomplete assignment.
After one hour, close the books. Please do not spend more than an hour on homework.
Still unfinished? Send in a note. I need a note to avoid the hw notice.

6. Content
Language Arts
Integrated and skill based – anthology (reading skills with story – fact/opinion, main idea, sequencing, author’s purpose, cause and effect, etc.)
Condensed versions of age-appropriate chapter books (Thunder Rose, Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, Journey to the Center of the Earth, etc.)
Story usually introduced on a Tuesday.
Read and reread on Wednesday and Thursday.
Test usually on a Thursday.

7. Writing Spelling Skill based
Writing prompts (persuasive, informative, opinion, narrative)
Multi-step writing process (idea web to final draft and publish)
Spelling
Monday list is given
Friday = Test
Words based on sounds occurring within words (15 regular, 3 challenge, 2 sentences)

8. Social Studies Scott Foresman Series Tests, quizzes, projects
Heroes Fair – February (Any person from history who had a positive impact on U.S.)
Field Trip – Gettysburg (end of year)
Volunteers (letter sent home around April)

9. Science Tests, quizzes, projects Life Science Earth Science
Cells and how Body Systems work together
Plant growth and reproduction
Energy and ecosystems
Earth Science
Rock Cycle
Fossils
Changes to Earth’s surface
Earth, Moon, and Beyond
Physical Science
Properties of Matter
Motion

10. Religion Christian morality, creed, prayers
Community Service – Corporal Works of Mercy, clothe the naked
Retreat – October 4th
Jim Gontis: Presentation
on “The Year of Faith”

11. A Successful Student * Demonstrates a good attitude
* Self-monitors his/her behavior
* Speaks up in class
* Employs study skills
* Sees teamwork between home and school

12. Reminders for a Successful Year:
Encourage your child to:
read at home every day.
be organized and responsible.
get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy breakfast each day.
come to class with all of the materials necessary, especially homework.
Respect themselves, Respect their school, and Respect others!
ask for help.
Most importantly, have fun!!!

13. Thank you for coming to open house
Thank you for coming to open house. I look forward to working with each one of you and to a great new school year! St. Leo the Great School considers the parents the first teachers of the faith to their children. Christ is the Master Teacher; the example all of us hope to follow.