August 23, 2010
Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,
Welcome back to school and to the fifth grade. I hope you enjoyed your summer break and hopefully you are coming back refreshed, energized and excited to take on the challenges of a new school year.
My name is Carl Alioto. I am enthusiastic about teaching the students our fifth grade curriculum. I look forward to an exciting year working together with you and your child.
We have a lot of work to accomplish this year! To achieve all our goals and enable students to grow as learners, students will be expected to play an active role in the learning process. As responsible learners, I will expect students to follow all classroom rules and procedures, be prepared and punctual, and most importantly, to show respect to each member of our class, their property, and all other students and faculty at the school. These basic requirements will help ensure a comfortable, safe, learning environment for all to enjoy.
Enclosed in this packet is some information on curriculum goals, grading and homework policies, a daily schedule, as well as a parent/guardian questionnaire. The parent questionnaire is a way for me to learn more about your child outside of the school setting. Often children are much different at home than they are at school. Please fill out and return the questionnaire by Monday August 30th.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I truly believe that everything works better when there is open communication. I will do my best to send home a class newsletter about twice a month keeping you updated on what is happening in the fifth grade. Please keep me informed of any pertinent information regarding your child as well. Together we can make this a great year.
Sincerely,
Carl Alioto
calioto@csdo.org
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
• RULES TO LIVE BY…
KINDNESS: Be kind to others and yourself
RESPECT: Respect yourself, other people, and property
RESPONSIBILITY: Be responsible for yourself and to others
SELF DISCIPLINE: Be prepared and ready to do your best
• HOMEWORK POLICY:
Students will have approximately 50-75 minutes of total homework each night, including studying, reading and written assignments. Students will be expected to complete assignments neatly, completely and on time.
Why give homework?
Homework is simply an extension of the work we do during class. Along with reinforcing classwork, homework also helps students build time-management skills and become more responsible. Also, we do not always have enough time to complete everything during class! A lot of the homework will be unfinished class assignments.
When will homework be assigned?
Homework will be assigned in core almost every night. Homework assignments will be written on the board every afternoon. We will write assignments down and go over them as a class so everyone is clear about what is to be done. Students are responsible for keeping their assignment notebooks updated and knowing when homework is due. Students usually will not be given homework over the weekend unless it is a long term assignment or special project.
Is late homework accepted?
Grudgingly! There will be two types of homework, daily homework (due within 1-3 days) and long term assignments for which students will have to plan their own time to finish by the due date. Daily homework will be accepted late for up to one week after the assigned date and will only be given half credit. Long term assignments will be dropped 10% (a full letter grade) each day it is late and accepted only up to five days after they are due. Also, late homework will lower students’ effort grades!
What happens if students don’t turn in homework?
UH-OH!☺ This is no joke. Many students don’t put two and two together to realize, yes, my homework does affect my grade. If homework assignments are not turned in students will be asked to fill out a missing assignment form which will be sent home for a parent’s signature. After three missing assignments, in any subject area, the parent/guardian will be notified. If a student continues to not turn in assignments then a call home will be made. After six missing assignments the student will report to the principal.
What if students are absent?
Students should immediately check the assignment sheet following an absence. It is also the students’ responsibility to talk to the teacher before the assignment is due if more time is needed or to explain missing work. I am always available upon request. Homework assigned before an absence is due upon the students’ return. Students will have as many days to make up assignments, as they were absent. For example, if you were absent for two days then you will have two days from the time you return to complete absent work.
• OTHER POLICIES:
- Grades will be based on a percentage of points earned. Points will be earned on tests, quizzes, projects, class work, homework, and participation.
- Students are encouraged to stay organized and write all assignments down in order to turn them in on time. Each student has received an assignment notebook so he/she can keep track of daily homework, due dates, and test dates. Tests will be announced at least in advance. At the end of each day we will record our homework together as a class. This is to ensure students understand the homework assignment and have an opportunity to ask questions if it is unclear.
- Small extra credit assignments will be given periodically throughout the year. Students can also request extra credit to better their grade if and only if all other assignments are complete. If a student has missing assignments throughout the quarter, then he/she will not be allowed to do extra credit.
- Students’ work will be sent home Friday of each week in a folder, which is to be signed by a parent/guardian and returned the following Monday. Please take time over the weekend to review your child’s work, with your child, so that you are aware of his/her progress. Letters will also be sent home detailing our progress in the class, upcoming curriculum and any reminders for the weeks ahead.
- Fifth grade is a big change for many students. Students are given a lot of responsibility. Students are expected to be responsible for their own grades as well as their own actions. It is up to each student to complete his/her homework neatly and according to directions in order to attain full credit. It is up to each student to make sure that once homework is completed that it is ready to go in the morning so nothing is left behind on “the desk at home”. ☺ It is up to the students to stay organized so that no assignments get lost. It is the student’s responsibility to seek help when it is needed. Although I try my best to make sure everyone understands the concepts being taught, it sometimes is difficult to test daily each one’s understanding on an individual basis. I am available after school as well as during breaks throughout the day. I am here to help each student be the best he/she can be. With cooperation from students, parents, and myself this will be possible.
Again, please feel comfortable to contact me at school by leaving a message or emailing me at calioto@csdo.org. I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible (most likely within 24 hours). I am quickest with emails. You can also make an appointment to discuss any concerns you might have.
SUGGESTIONS FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD
Encourage Responsibility – Make the child an ACTIVE participant in his/her education.
Help your child be aware of his/her own schedule. Instead of telling your child exactly what needs to be done try helping the child figure it out on his/her own. Ask questions such as: How much time will it take? When do you plan to do it? Have you checked your homework notebook? What tests do you have this week? When and how do you plan to study? What will you bring home to help you study?
Try not to leave your child out of discussions about his/her education. If you have a question about something ask your child first. If he/she doesn’t know the answer, encourage him/her to ask me on his/her own. If necessary, come with your child and ask me together. There may be some issues you wish to discuss with me privately. Fell free to contact me to set up an appointment.
Remember that You are Your Child’s Primary Educator!
Your attitude and approach to school will affect your child more than everything I do and say.
• Make school a priority.
• Encourage your child to do his/her best, not just the minimum.
• Give lots of praise and encouragement.
• Focus your praise on the student’s effort and hard work. For example, when a great score comes home and you know that your child studied hard, be sure to remind them of that hard work. Fifth graders need help making the connection between hard work a week ago and the A on the test today. Comments like, “Wow, your studying really paid off!” will help students make that connection.
CURRICULUM
Language Arts/Writing
Major Goals:
- Improve grammar and correct grammar usage in writing.
- Be able to identify parts of speech
- To learn and practice different writing styles
- To use the steps of writing including brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing
Language Arts
Text Book:
-Harcourt Language Handbook, 2005
The focus of fifth grade English is on grammar. We will cover types of sentences, elements of a sentence including adjectives and adverbs, tenses, capitalization and punctuation.
My goal for the first trimester is to cover sentences, nouns, punctuation, and verbs.
In the second and third trimester we will continue with verbs as well as learning about adverbs, prepositions, and pronouns.
Writing
Students will learn all types of writing. They will be writing in their journal on a regular basis. They will master paragraph writing using a topic sentence, three to five supporting sentences, and a conclusion. Students will be writing paragraphs across the curriculum on a variety of topics. They will learn proper letter writing technique, three and five paragraph essays to be done in book reports and on other class topics, and creative writing including poetry, and stories that include dialogue.
Writing is an important part of the fifth grade curriculum. You can help your child improve their writing by revising and editing with them. If you edit their work for them they will not learn as much. To help them catch their own mistakes you can sit next to your child while he/she reads his/her own work aloud. They will catch some of their own mistakes and they should mark them immediately. If you hear them say something correctly even though it is written wrong you can acknowledge it. You can also point out the sentences that have errors and encourage your child to try and find the error. We will do this on a regular basis throughout the year. Use teamwork. Most importantly, always make sure your child understands what the correction is that you are making.
Literature
Major Goals:
- To foster a love of reading.
- To increase comprehension and vocabulary skills.
- To learn to recognize and analyze the main parts of a story
Text Book:
- Signatures, Harcourt-Brace, 1999
In addition to book reports and working out of the literature text, students will complete at least 1 novel in the first semester. In the second semester, students will complete at least two other novels. I hope to get through four novels in the year, approximately one a quarter.
-Literature selections to be chosen from the following list:
Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry
Bridge to Terabithia
Johnny Tremain
Old Yeller
To Build A Fire
BOOK REPORTS
Students will be asked to complete book reports throughout the school year. Book reports will vary in format. Each report will have a specific assignment to be completed and turned in by the assigned due date. Students will choose their own book report books. I ask that parents be aware of the books your child is choosing to make sure it’s acceptable reading material. I also reserve the right to approve or disapprove a child’s selection. Students will have 10 minutes a day of SSR (silent sustained reading) in which to read their books. Students are expected to always have a book with them to read during that time. I encourage all students to also read at least 15 minutes at night as well.
PLEASE NOTE: This year we will be using Reading A-Z. This program teaches leveled reading, phonemic awareness reading comprehension, and reading fluency. We will use this program, as well as other supplemental materials in small group settings. The program is designed for use in various learning settings and is standards based.
Handwriting D’Nealian Handwriting, Scott Foresman, 1987
Manuscript and cursive skills will be reviewed and practiced. Students will be
expected to practice their cursive on all written homework assignments. Yes, some assignments can be typed.
Spelling/Vocabulary
Major Goals:
- To improve spelling and vocabulary skills across the curriculum on a consistent basis
- To increase vocabulary skills so that students can use new terms in written as well as oral language
Spelling/Vocabulary
Text:
- Sadler-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop, Level A, 2005 *(Students will not have a spelling text book.)
Students will be responsible for word definitions, antonyms, synonyms, and using the words in context. The students will also be required to spell the words correctly. Tests will be given approximately once a week (usually on Friday). The vocabulary series benefit students across the curriculum as well as on standardized tests.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Major Goals:
- This program introduces the study of American History from the American Indians to Immigration to the U.S. to the Civil War Era
- The use of map and globe skills, chart, diagrams, and time lines will be taught.
- Students will be tested on the names and locations of the fifty states and their capitals.
- Students will also complete a comprehensive state report. Details to follow.
- Critical thinking skills and writing skills will be included in the social studies curriculum on a regular basis.
Text: America Will Be, Houghton-Mifflin, 1991
First trimester goals:
- In the first trimester we will cover immigration and students will be expected to complete an immigration report. We will also study geography including the regions of America, globes and maps. Students will begin working on their state reports as well.
Second trimester goals:
- Students will finish and hand in their state reports. We will also be studying the Revolutionary War (including the causes of and effects), the formation of government, the U.S. Constitution and we will be memorizing all the states and their capitals. At the end of the year we will be examining life in a divided nation and the time period up to and including the civil war.
Third trimester goals:
- At the end of the year we will be examining life in a divided nation and the time period leading up to and including The Civil War. Students will also focus on the 50 states and capitals.
RELIGION
Text: We Believe, William H. Sadlier, Inc. 2011
Religion will be integrated throughout the curriculum as well as having it as a daily subject. Students will read and reflect on Scripture. We will also discuss the New and Old Testaments, including the four accounts of the Gospel. We will touch on church history as well. Students will study the creeds, the Mass, and the Sacraments of the church. Students will learn and practice some of the traditional prayers of the Church. Students will also develop an understanding of the Catholic Social Principles as well as the basic principles of Catholic teaching on the family. Students will attend Mass, usually on Fridays and recite the rosary as a class throughout the school year. Please feel free to join us anytime you are available. Students will also have liturgical music every Thursday and Friday taught by Mrs. Gurnett. Our focus this year is on becoming active, responsible Catholics.
Family life will be taught at the end of the first trimester.
SCIENCE
Major Goals:
- Students will enjoy science, be excited about it and believe that they are capable of being successful in this subject area.
- Students will read, study, research and conduct experiments.
- Students will learn to utilize and understand the scientific method and the safe use of scientific equipment.
- Students will be provided with opportunities to apply learned concepts to their own practical world.
Texts:
- McGraw – Hill Science
-
Our science program covers three basic areas: Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science. The concepts to be covered are:
- Life is diverse, interdependent, and evolving
- The earth and universe are constantly changing
- Matter and energy can be changed but not created or destroyed.
We will start the year learning about Life Science. We will study the structures of plants and animals as well as interactions of living things. Then we will move into Physical Science. We will study properties of matter and energy, motion, sound and light. We will finish the year studying about Earth Science. In this unit we will study Earth and its resources as well as weather and climate. Experimentation is a wonderful teaching method for science. The year culminates with a project consisting of a dissection lab in conjunction with our seventh grade. If you have any suggestions for experiments in these fields or if you are willing to lend a helping hand on experiment days please let me know.
MATH
Major Goals:
- Students will use logic and language to write, analyze, and solve word problems.
- Students will develop and practice skills in fractions and decimals while continuing to master whole number skills.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of graphing with numbered pairs.
- Students will use standard measurement tools to estimate and determine area, perimeter, volume, weight, temperature, and time.
- Students will collect, organize, and reports statistical data in a variety of graphic forms.
Text: California HSP Math. Harcourt School Publishers, 2009
NOTE: Please see attached Math Syllabus
ART
Major Goals:
- Students will learn to enjoy the aesthetic quality in art and will enjoy themselves learning and creating.
- Students will learn to feel secure working with different art forms and mediums.
- Students will learn to feel comfortable and confident to express themselves creatively.
The opportunity for art expression is offered in all subject areas across the curriculum. Once a month Mrs. Bonney will be coming in to teach the students art appreciation and to do an art project. I am open to any suggestions for art projects and or lessons. If you have a special talent that you would like to teach to the class please feel free to contact me. Art will be graded on effort and willingness to learn and participate.
COMPUTERS
Students will participate in weekly computer classes. I will work closely with the computer teacher, Mrs. Edmonson, to integrate technology into our curriculum. Please contact her or myself with any questions or concerns. Fifth grade students also participate in one semester of keyboarding classes also taught by Mrs. Edmonson and myself. This is extremely valuable for the students especially before they enter junior high.
SPANISH
Students will also participate in Spanish class twice a week. You can contact Mrs. Linda Barry if you have any questions or concerns in this area of the curriculum.
THROUGH THE PARENTS EYES
Parent/Guardian Name _____________________________________________
Student’s Name ____________________________________________________
Who knows the child better than the parents/guardians with whom he/she lives? I am excited to get to know your child so please share your perspective on your child as a learner and as a member of your family. I want to know more about your child to ensure that I provide the best educational experience for him/her that I can. Feel free to use extra paper or if you’d like you can write me a letter telling me about your child. I would like all forms/letters back to me by Monday, August 30th. Thank you.
1. What responsibilities or duties does your child have at home?
2. What are your child’s general feelings about school?
3. How do you view your child as a learner? (What are his/her strengths, challenges? Is your child curious? Does your child enjoy reading? Through what style does your child best learn new information, such as seeing, hearing or doing?)
4. In what extra curricular activities/summer activities does your child participate?
5. How does your child like to spend his/her free time?
6. Have there been any previous concerns with your child that I should know about? (Academic, behavior, or social)
7. Please add any further information you consider relevant to my helping your child grow as a learner this year.
PLEASE SIGN BELOW INDICATING YOU AND YOUR CHILD HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND MR. ALIOTO’S CLASS EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES.
__________________________ __________
Parent Signature Date
