ITHACA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
2011-2012
Classroom Expectations:  Grade 5

Teachers:  Ms. Martha Levine and Ms. Carolyn Belle                         
School:    South Hill Elementary             

1. Behavior/Management
Based on our goals for the year, students and teachers have established the guideline for behavior in our classroom: We will respect others, ourselves, and materials. All of the specific rules that would create a physically and emotionally safe environment for optimal learning fit under this broad statement. We expect students to listen to directions and each other, do their best work, and be kind to one another. If a student needs repeated reminders about a certain behavior, s/he will meet with the teacher(s) to discuss a related consequence they can agree on. (Ex. Social chatting during work/instruction time could lead to a seating change). Parents/guardians will be included in behavior management if problems are severe or repeated in spite of initial planning between a student and us.

2. Homework
Homework will be assigned Monday-Thursday night. Regular assignments include spelling practice, math, vocabulary study and reading for 20 minutes/night. Students should not need to work on their assignments for more than an hour on any given evening. If your child is working hard and cannot complete assignments within that time, please send us a note and we will accept the incomplete work and work out an individual plan for homework. Students each have an assignment book, and are expected and supported in recording daily assignments and using them to organize their work. In addition, several long-term projects will be assigned, such as book reports and projects. Guidelines and deadlines for these will be given to students and posted on our website at the beginning of the project.

3. Teaching Methods
We will use a variety of methods to reach all learners in the class, and keep instruction interesting. These include projects, audio/visual media, guest speakers, lectures, games, experimentation, and research. Computers will be used to practice skills, as well as for research and communication. Whole and small group instruction will be used. We will emphasize and support the development of independent work and study habits throughout the year.

4. Evaluation
We evaluate student progress through daily performance in written assignments, contributions to class discussions, teacher observations, frequent quick tests to inform our teaching and the use of chapter/unit tests.  Effort as well as performance will be assessed.  Students will be expected to reflect on their own effort and performance throughout the year, setting personal goals. Report cards will be sent home three times this year.  Parent conferences are offered twice a year and as requested. Students will take NY State assessments in Mathematics and Language Arts in late spring; results from these tests will not be available until after the school year is over, and will be mailed to parents and guardians.

5.  Expectations of Parents/Guardians
Your attitude, help and involvement in your child’s education are crucial for his/her success. Here are the areas where you can support what we do:

Readiness to learn Please make sure your child is properly rested and appropriately dressed for the weather. Send him/her with a nutritious snack and lunch (if s/he doesn’t get school lunch).

Homework Support Ask your child daily if there is any homework to do or a long-term project to work on.  There usually is!  Provide a quiet place for doing homework.  Encourage independence, but provide assistance as necessary. 5th graders often need help in pacing their work on long term assignments. Encourage your child to check our website if they have lost long-term assignment papers. Send us a note or contact us if your child has difficulty completing daily homework assignments within an hour at night.

Attitude Your support and interest in what happens at school and what your child is doing is crucial. Your child may not respond to a general question about what s/he is learning at school. Read our newsletter so you know what is happening, and use it to ask specific questions of your child. Remain positive about work; ask the teachers if you don’t understand the value of an assignment or activity. You can easily undermine our efforts with a negative attitude about school to your child.

Partnership/Communications  We want to know what is happening in your child’s life that may have bearing on their school day, attitude, or performance. Please contact us if something happens at home that might affect your child. In turn, we will call you if something happens at school or if we notice a change in your child’s demeanor or behavior (both positive or negative!). We strongly feel that students need to feel safe, competent and cared about to learn and want to make sure we provide a positive school experience.  Feel free to contact us with any concerns or questions about your child’s progress and experience.  Messages for us to contact you may be left with school secretary, or through email at cbelle@icsd.k12.ny.us or mlevine@icsd.k12.ny.us. If the issue is immediate, you may reach us at home (#s in school directory) until 9:00pm.
KEY CONTENT AND MAJOR SKILL EXPECTATION
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM
5th Grade Carolyn Belle/Martha Levine

1. Mathematics
We will teach the following content strands: number sense and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, statistics and probability. Making mathematical connections, communication, and problem solving will be woven throughout the year within the content strands. We will use a variety of resources including Everyday Math, Scott-Foresman-Addison-Wesley and TERC materials, among others. We will use calculators and manipulatives in the classroom. Students are expected to know their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts.

2. Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, Spelling, Grammar)
Students will apply and be instructed in language arts skills in all areas of the curriculum. Students will participate in language arts workshop, which teaches individualized skills to students using books and writing topics of their own selection. Specific strategies to improve comprehension, accuracy, fluency and expanding vocabulary will be taught.
We will also have guided reading and writing projects and groups throughout the school year, with topics and materials chosen by the teachers. Whole class lessons, small groups, and individual instruction will be provided.
Students will become familiar with the characteristics of the works of many authors and illustrators, acquire knowledge of nonfiction and literary genres, and demonstrate understanding of literary elements and figurative language. They use critical thinking skills as they summarize, synthesize, compare, and evaluate information from multiple sources.
In writing workshop, students will have the opportunity to write in different styles such as personal narrative, fiction, poetry, descriptive and expository writing. They will use the writing process to plan, revise, edit and publish their work.
Good spelling is stressed in all writing. Students will type or use cursive writing for formal projects.
Spelling words are assigned weekly, and tests are given on Fridays.

3. Science/Health
Science units taught through Foss kits include Levers and Pulleys and Landforms. In addition, our class will use our school’s orchard as an outdoor learning laboratory. Science process skills taught will include prediction, measurement, and recording and analyzing data. Science topics such as environmental studies and current events will be integrated throughout the year.
Health topics include nutrition, personal safety, AIDS and puberty. Children will be instructed in the American Red Cross Basic Aid training (first aid) and will also participate in the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance and Education) program in the fall.

4. Social Studies
Topics studied include: U.S. government, transportation and the Erie Canal, landforms, physical geography of the western hemisphere, and Pre-Columbian cultures (Mayan, Aztec and/or Inca).  We will explore current events through a weekly news publication (Time for Kids). Test-taking skills will be explicitly taught. The materials used in Social Studies instruction will be an exciting combination of primary documents, historical fiction, field trips, guest speakers, internet sites, non-fiction texts and textbook passages.

5. Computer
Computers will be used throughout the curriculum. Keyboarding and word processing skills, use of the internet, and use of programs to present and organize work (such as PowerPoint) will be taught. We will use ‘cloud technologies’ to present information and to learn appropriate and effective ways to communicate within a closed internet community. Computer literacy skills, such as evaluating websites and citing internet sources will be taught. Students will have access to carefully chosen websites to support and extend their education in all areas of the curriculum.