Classroom Procedures & Policies
Classroom Procedures & Policies
Weekly Newsletter
Keeping parents and students informed of 5th grade events is a priority. Wewrite a weekly newsletter to let you know where we are in our curriculum, what tests to expect, and to remind you of upcoming events. In effort to “go green”, we will be posting our newsletter every Friday on our website and will e-mail newsletter reminders as well.
Binder
Staying organized is a lifelong skill for success. Each student has one binders to keep papers organized. Their two inch binder holds:
- Assignment Planner
- HW folder
- Class Schedule and Reading Log
- Tabbed dividers for subjects: Spelling, Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies, Writing
Student Planners
Assignment books are sent home daily. We review what we have done each day and write our homework in the appropriate section. A parent signature is required every night. This is a great way to help your child remain responsible for their work.
Home/School Communication
Students’ binders contain a folder for “Stays Home” papers and “Homework” papers. Teachers may also send graded work home on the last day of the week in Friday Folders. Also included is a signature sheet verifying that you have looked over the papers with your child. There is a comment section where you can leave any questions or concerns you may have or request additional assignments to practice those skills where there is need for improvement.
Class Meetings
Class meetings will be held as needed to help form a sense of community and to build relationships. We prefer to use this time to focus on a particular character trait, such as having a positive attitude or being generous. We will take turn sharing our thoughts and ideas. Occasionally class meetings will be necessary to work out any conflicts or difficulties that seem to be disrupting our community. We will also use class meetings to discuss upcoming party plans.
Homework
Our district considers 60 minutes of homework per evening appropriate for a 5th grade student. Students need to read nightly for the “Shooting for the Stars” calendar, which will count toward theirReading effort grade. They may read silently by themselves or aloud to a friend, sibling, or parent. The other remaining time should be spent on finishing the day’s assignments, studying for tests,and/or completing other projects that are assigned. Assignments are due the following day unless otherwise designated in the assignment planner.
District Grading Policy
Grading Scale
PercentGrade
90-100%A“A” grades are considered “Excellent;outstanding quality.”
89-80%B“B” grades are considered “Very good; above average quality.”
79-70%C“C” grades are considered “Good; average quality.”
69-60%D“D” grades are considered “Improvement needed; below average quality.”
59% or belowN“N” grades are considered “Improvement needed; not passing quality.”
Late Assignment Policy
ON time: Bravo!
1 Day late: Grade earned minus 10%
2 days late: Grade earned minus 20%
3 Days Late: Grade earned minus 30%
*Each day late will result in 10% off final grade down to the grade earned minus 50%.
* If missing work begins to be a continuing problem, we will discuss as a team (teacher(s), parent(s), and student) what needs to be done.
Snacks and Water Bottles
1. Healthy snacks only – bring your snack into the classroom at the beginning of the day and keep it in your desk until we switch classes. Snack will be around 2pm.
*Yogurt
*Fruit
*Unsweetened applesauce and fruit cups
*Vegetables
*Beef Jerky/Deli Meat
*Cheese
*Nuts
*Whole Grain – crackers, pretzels, and granola bars
*Low Sugar cereal
*Rice Cakes
*Low Fat popcorn
2. Bring small amount for only that day – in a container or snack baggie
3. No sharing snacks (allergies)
4. Keep your area clean
5. Eat appropriately
* Students are also allowed to have a water bottle on their desk. They have a number of opportunities to fill their water bottle throughout the day. Water bottles MUST have a lid to limit the number of spills. No aluminum/metal!
Toys/Cell Phones
Toys, trading cards, or anything that may disrupt our learning atmosphere will be confiscated by the teacher and returned to the parent either before or after school. Toys may be brought to school and kept in a backpack and used for indoor recess purposes only.
Cell Phones will be turned off and kept in backpacks until dismissal. If cell phones are disruptive (ringing in backpacks or brought into the classroom) then they will be turned into Mrs. Conklin and students will be required to pick them up from her after school. Parents will be contacted when a cell phone has been taken.
Birthdays
Students are welcome to have a small celebration of their birthday here at school. If you would like to send treats, please make arrangements with your child’s homeroom teacher prior to the date of celebration. Additionally, please send individual snacks such as cookies or cupcakes (not a cake that the teacher would need to cut & serve) as well as napkins. Students with summer birthdays may choose a school day when they want.
Classroom Management
Maintaining an orderly classroom is essential to student learning and providing a positive school experience for all. With this in mind, our classroom expectation is that all students display behaviors consistent with our district’s guiding principles. If a child has difficulty displaying behaviors consistent with the guiding principles, the teacher will facilitate him or her by using one of the following options:
- Verbal reminder
- BIST: safe seat or buddy room/think sheet
- Other consequences as described in the Olathe School District Code of Conduct Handbook.
Positive student behavior will be rewarded through the use of: P.A.W.S., Brougham Bucks, and other classroom incentives.
Curriculum Goals and Expectations
Reading
Whole Group Instruction
Olathe School District has adopted the Harcourt basal series. Within this series, vocabulary, grammar, reading techniques/skills, spelling, text structures, and a story focus are covered. Each student has been issued a Harcourt book that may be given to read as a homework assignment. We will complete the workbook pages that serve as guided and independent practice of skills that have been reviewed and taught. While reading our story for the week, we will have the opportunity to do a picture walk, read silently, read aloud, listen to the story on tape, do cooperative activities, and work on new vocabulary.
Individual
Students are responsible for having a book at their desk at all times. Due to students finishing work at different paces, there are several “quiet” spots located in the classroom. We will have book reports due every month to month and a half. We will keep you informed of the type of book we are supposed to be reading and the type of book report we will be completing. We will be helping students find the proper reading books for themselves using the “easy”, “just right”, and “challenge” methods of book selecting. This helps students feel comfortable while reading and eliminates reading frustration. Please encourage your child to read every night! It helps them become more confident and fluent readers.
Small Group/Literature Circles
Students will be working within literature circles. These groups are formed by student interest and teacher guidance. They will be allowed to choose the story they are most interested in reading and will be placed with 4-5 other students who have the same interest. They will read the story and have meaningful discussions over their reading.
Writing/Spelling
Students will take their Spelling pre-test on the first day of the school week, which will usually fall on a Monday, and will post-test on the last day of the school week, usually Friday. Writing time will focus on the development of skills in the six traits – ideas, organization, voice, word choice, fluency, conventions. Focus lessons pertaining to grammar will be incorporated based on observations of student need, as will trait-specific lessons. Fifth grade students will write at least one of each of the following pieces this year: an expository research paper, a personal narrative, and a persuasive report. They will also participate in a Writing Assessmentin the fall for the District.
Handwriting
The district has a new handwriting policy where students in 5th grade will be required to write in cursive 25% of the time.
Math
Our math textbook is called enVision. Skills build from basic computation to work with fractions, diagrams, shapes, etc… This program is grounded in problem-solving and students are exposed to many opportunities to practice this skill.We strongly encourage you to keep practicing basic math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) to help students learn new concepts with less frustration.
Panther Power Hour
Power Hour is instructional focus. This is similar to "breakout" groups in years prior, but instead of having it only 1-2 times per week, we will have it EVERY day for 60 minutes. These lessons will be focused on what specific indicators your child needs help with. Ex: If a child struggles with reading comprehension, they’ll be in a small group that focuses on reading comprehension with strategies. ALL students will be working on indicators whether they are doing an independent study, working in small groups, or practicing (such as multiplication facts). Specialists (Music, PE, Art, etc. teachers) will be assisting us, so groups will be small, and therefore providing ample opportunity to ensure success!
Science
Active Science Kits provided by Olathe School District will be used. This year we will be covering such concepts as: Ocean, Weather, Motion, Human Body Systems, and Light and Sound Energy. The science kit is full of hands on experiments, interesting reading material, and worthwhile videos. Grades will include daily assignments, tests, projects, lab reports, and participation in discussions. Students will be using the scientific method to form our experiments. The five steps include: problem, hypothesis, experiment, data, and conclusion.
Social Studies
We like to put the “Social” into studies. An important part of the program is teaching students cooperative skills they’ll use throughout their lives. Students will work together in small groups or pairs on special projects on chapter work.
At the beginning of the year, we do a quick little project on timelines so I can get to know the students and so the students learn how to read and understand timelines. The remainder of the year, we will focus on American history. We will evaluate the periods of colonization, Revolutionary War, setting up our new government & the writing of the Constitution. Students will use texts & hands-on projects/simulations to explore each period of American History.
Students will be given study guides at the beginning of each chapter that will directly correspond with the tests. They will guide the students in developing important social studies skills such as note taking, concept mapping, map reading, outlining, and report writing to name a few.