John F. Kennedy Intermediate School

Class 5-3

Room D53

Mrs. Finley

Dear Parents,

Welcome. I am honored to have your child in my class this year. I am excited to be part of such a wonderful team. In order for your child to have a successful year we must all work together as a team to ensure successful results. You play an important role in your child’s academic growth. Communication between us is very important. If you need to speak with me about a personal concern feel free to contact me through the school. You may leave me a message on my voicemail. Below you find your child’s schedule as well as policies and a brief overview of the Social Studies curriculum.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Finley

Homework:

Social Studies homework is given most nights. It may be a written assignment; work on a project; read several pages or study for an upcoming quiz or test. Math and reading is also given every night while science will be given 1-3times per week. Please check your child’s planner each night to make sure they have completed all their assignments. All tests and quizzes

will go home in their communication folder every Friday.

Absences:

If your child is absent, you may call and pick it up at the end of the day or arrange for a neighbor to pick it up for you. On days that your child is absent another student in the class will take down the work he/she missed. However, the student cannot copy notes of the day for the absent student, it is the responsibility of the absent student to obtain those notes.

Each student should have a homework buddy.

Extra Help:

Is given on a need as basis and will be on Monday’s at 8:10am

Parent/Teacher Contact:

If you have any concerns, please phone me at the school. I can be reached by dialing 274-4300, dial my extension (33632) and leave a message. I will return your call as soon as possible.

Tests:

Tests are given on a designated day. Your child will always be aware of the test date and the material to be tested well in advance. There will be a review prior to the test. It is your child’s responsibility to prepare properly. If your child is sick on the day of a test, it will be given on the day your child returns to school. Below you find your child’s schedule as well as policies and a brief overview of the Social Studies curriculum.

Special Schedule:

Monday:Gym 9:50-10:10:30 Foreign Language 2:20-3:00 (Fall) Health 9:05-9:45 (Spring)

Tuesday:Art9:05-9:45

Wednesday:Music9:50-10:10:30

Thursday:Computer Applications9:50-10:10:30

Friday:Gym 9:50-10:10:30

Mrs. Finley

Overview

Fifth Grade Social Studies Curriculum

M. Finley

GeographyEconomics

Map SkillsBasic Principals

Geography of the United StatesSupply and Demand Import/Export Interdependence

History

American Revolution-reviewGovernment

Westward ExpansionHistorical Documents

Civil WarStructure

Women’s Rights

Immigration

Industrial Revolution

World War I and II

Mexico and Canada

Overview

Import/Export

Interdependence

Overview

Fifth Grade Science Curriculum

M. Finley

Homework:

  • Generally given 1-3 times per week
  • Projects, incomplete class work, or studying are sometimes given on a Friday
  • Please check your child’s planner daily

Grading:

  • Tests, quizzes and labs
  • Homework
  • If your child is sick/absent on the day of a test/quiz they will take it on the day they return to school
  • Extra credit

Extra Help:

  • Extra help is usually given on Monday’s at 8:10. Please check your child’s planner for dates

Absence:

*If your child is absent and you would like homework, please call your child’s home base teacher before 10:00 A.M. Work can be picked up from the main office after 3:15 P.M.

Brief Overview of the Curriculum:

“Science 21” emphasis is on investigations that are student directed and are relevant to students’ everyday lived. Many of the activities include hands-on labs that encourage students to ask questions and work together to find the answer.

Topics to be Covered:

Unit 1:Scientific Method (Focus on Controlled Studies)

Unit 2:The Micro World (Learning about cells)

Unit 3: The Human Body

Unit 4:The Environment (Biomes/Ecosystems and Living Things)