Classroom Handbook
Grading / Homework/ Late Work
Grading Scale
A 93-100%
A- 92%
B+ 91%
B 90-85%
B- 84%
C+ 83%
C 82-77%
C- 76%
D+ 75%
D 74-69%
D- 68%
F 67% and Under
Homework
Late or Missing School Work
Our school has an after school homework room in the libraryfrom 3:30-4:30 daily. This is a great opportunity for students to finish schoolwork. Adults are there to help and a snack is provided. Students do need to sign up ahead of time and more information will be going home with your child.
We are devoted to the success of ALL students.
We will not accept less than a student’s best!
I am issuing "Oops Coupons" because no one is perfect. The coupon allows students to forget an assignment once a quarter and not suffer the consequence. A new coupon is issued each quarter and students cannot trade coupons.This benefits our students in the long-term as we look forward to Middle School. Our students will be accustomed to these requirements.
Make up Work
Special arrangements are made for makeup work during absences. If your child is only absent for one day, I will not send work home, but I do ask that he/she try to read. When your child returns to school, we will work together to assemble missed work. For 2 or more missed days, I will gather some school work for your child to complete at home, as appropriate. Because of the workshop format in Reading, Writing, and Math, students do not have as many traditional assignments, such as worksheets. Social Studies involves research, group work, simulations, etc. which really cannot be recreated and sent home.
The district allows the student 2 days to make up a missed assignment for every day that they are gone. It is usually appropriate for the student to complete most of the work when they return to school. Many of our assignments involve cooperative learning, research, technology, etc. rather than book work so it can be difficult to send the work home.
Please contact the Office (882-6355) in the morning to leave a message about picking up missed work after school. If your child is only going to be absent one day, I would rather wait to send home their missed work until he/she returns. Reading a book is always a great thing to do if your child is feeling up to it.
DDN Campus
Grades are posted on DDN Campus as appropriate. My goal is at least once per week, but this can vary because of long-term projects. Parents can access their child's grades at any time to see grades, attendance, etc. Midterms and report cards are sent home each quarter, as well.
Technology
Computer Lab
Each day students will participate in program in the computer lab during specials. This program individually places students in the areas of Math and Reading. The program continuously evaluates and challenges the students at their level. This program is being updated to better meet student needs. In order to advance and grow, students must achieve at least a 70% in each area. There is an adult present in the lab to provide assistance.
Classroom iPads
This year students will each have an iPad in our classroom! Blogging, researching, testing, book writing, --- are just a few of the many ways we will use the iPads. Each student will be assigned an iPad that he/she is responsible for and that iPad will follow them to 6th grade. Be sure you and your child have read and signed the District technology user agreement. I have so many ideas and I can hardly wait to get started!
Tables
There are trapezoid tables to give students room to work on school assignments with the iPads nearby. The tables faciliate group work and cooperative activities and can be reconfigured in different ways. Folders are kept in a pouch on the chair.
Tools and Equipment
Our classroom is equipped with 25 iPads, a document camera, and an Epson projector with interactive capabilities. It is a great privilege to have this equipment and our responsibility to care for it wisely. Students are responsible for intentional damage.
Classroom Library
Even with all this technology, we still have a growing classroom library filled with books. My goal is to add 20-40 new books to the library each year. That way our classroom library can stay current to student interests. Students and parents can help by ordering books from the book orders. Each book is worth points that I then use to get books for the classroom library. I also greatly appreciate donations to my library as parents clean out books at home.
Reading is one of my passions and I hope students will come to enjoy reading as much as I do.
Website
Over several years, I have written a website, that we use often in the classroom. It includes links to Brain Builders, the blog, curriculum links, photos, student projects, and more. It is a changing place that students and parents can access at home too. At various times throughout each month, I will send emails and/or newsletters about classroom happenings, tests, etc. My hope is that parents will find them helpful and informative.
Testing
Students in 5th grade have the following curriculum:
Mr. Clendenen will be teaching Science and Ms. Tammi has Math. Math class will be an hour in length this year! It will also be in a workshop format and use investigations to develop student knowledge and number sense. More information will be coming about this. Students will switch classes in the morning. This year there will be a specials block beginning at 9:50AM. Each morning, students will attend a combination of PE, Music, Art, Library, or SuccessMaker. Click here to see the schedule.
DARE will be held with the 5th graders during the school year. A graduation ceremony will culminate the study.
Fifth graders have the opportunity to join orchestra or band. They will be scheduled for a 20 minute lesson once a week. If they choose band, they will also meet for several full band experiences as the year progresses. Lessons may be during classroom instruction time. Therefore, the students who participate, are responsible to find out what they missed and/or what they are responsible to do outside of class.
Birthday Treats and Student Snacks
Please contact me if you have any questions- 882-6355 or [email protected]
Grading Scale
A 93-100%
A- 92%
B+ 91%
B 90-85%
B- 84%
C+ 83%
C 82-77%
C- 76%
D+ 75%
D 74-69%
D- 68%
F 67% and Under
Homework
- The majority of the time, homework is the work the students do not get finished during classtime. If students use their time well during class, they should not have a great deal of homework outside of school unless there is a test to study for.
- The general standard is approximately 10 minutes of homework for each grade level, which would be 50 minutes for 5th graders. Students who participate in band or orchestra, have lessons during class, and are responsible for what is missed during class time. If your child has more homework than this each night, please contact me.
- Reading for at least 20 minutes is always expected. Reading is a gateway skill that is utilized in all subject areas and careers. The only way to get better at reading is to read. Students should have a self-selected novel they are reading each night. I also provide time during school for independent reading whenever I can. I maintain the status of your child's reading, so there will not a be a log for parents to sign or verify.
- When there is a test, students may need more time for studying. For my Social Studies tests, I always have study games set up. These games follow the types of questions asked on the test and should give students a good handle on the test. Often the learning projects students complete will count for grades in several subjects.
- Spelling Tests will usually be on Fridays. Students are introduced to the words on Monday and will receive a word list to take home at that time. Throughout the week, the students will practice words with a variety of guided spelling activities, including Spelling City. At times this schedule will change based on short weeks or other modifications to our day. I will let the students know early in the week if that happens. As the school year progresses, the words become more difficult, so it is important to establish a studying routine.
- Each student has been given an assignment planner, which they are encouraged to use to record assignments and subject area happenings. I do not require the planner to be completed unless there has been an issue with incomplete work. Please encourage your child to bring this planner home if you have any questions.
Late or Missing School Work
Our school has an after school homework room in the libraryfrom 3:30-4:30 daily. This is a great opportunity for students to finish schoolwork. Adults are there to help and a snack is provided. Students do need to sign up ahead of time and more information will be going home with your child.
We are devoted to the success of ALL students.
We will not accept less than a student’s best!
I am issuing "Oops Coupons" because no one is perfect. The coupon allows students to forget an assignment once a quarter and not suffer the consequence. A new coupon is issued each quarter and students cannot trade coupons.This benefits our students in the long-term as we look forward to Middle School. Our students will be accustomed to these requirements.
Make up Work
Special arrangements are made for makeup work during absences. If your child is only absent for one day, I will not send work home, but I do ask that he/she try to read. When your child returns to school, we will work together to assemble missed work. For 2 or more missed days, I will gather some school work for your child to complete at home, as appropriate. Because of the workshop format in Reading, Writing, and Math, students do not have as many traditional assignments, such as worksheets. Social Studies involves research, group work, simulations, etc. which really cannot be recreated and sent home.
The district allows the student 2 days to make up a missed assignment for every day that they are gone. It is usually appropriate for the student to complete most of the work when they return to school. Many of our assignments involve cooperative learning, research, technology, etc. rather than book work so it can be difficult to send the work home.
Please contact the Office (882-6355) in the morning to leave a message about picking up missed work after school. If your child is only going to be absent one day, I would rather wait to send home their missed work until he/she returns. Reading a book is always a great thing to do if your child is feeling up to it.
DDN Campus
Grades are posted on DDN Campus as appropriate. My goal is at least once per week, but this can vary because of long-term projects. Parents can access their child's grades at any time to see grades, attendance, etc. Midterms and report cards are sent home each quarter, as well.
Technology
Computer Lab
Each day students will participate in program in the computer lab during specials. This program individually places students in the areas of Math and Reading. The program continuously evaluates and challenges the students at their level. This program is being updated to better meet student needs. In order to advance and grow, students must achieve at least a 70% in each area. There is an adult present in the lab to provide assistance.
Classroom iPads
This year students will each have an iPad in our classroom! Blogging, researching, testing, book writing, --- are just a few of the many ways we will use the iPads. Each student will be assigned an iPad that he/she is responsible for and that iPad will follow them to 6th grade. Be sure you and your child have read and signed the District technology user agreement. I have so many ideas and I can hardly wait to get started!
Tables
There are trapezoid tables to give students room to work on school assignments with the iPads nearby. The tables faciliate group work and cooperative activities and can be reconfigured in different ways. Folders are kept in a pouch on the chair.
Tools and Equipment
Our classroom is equipped with 25 iPads, a document camera, and an Epson projector with interactive capabilities. It is a great privilege to have this equipment and our responsibility to care for it wisely. Students are responsible for intentional damage.
Classroom Library
Even with all this technology, we still have a growing classroom library filled with books. My goal is to add 20-40 new books to the library each year. That way our classroom library can stay current to student interests. Students and parents can help by ordering books from the book orders. Each book is worth points that I then use to get books for the classroom library. I also greatly appreciate donations to my library as parents clean out books at home.
Reading is one of my passions and I hope students will come to enjoy reading as much as I do.
Website
Over several years, I have written a website, that we use often in the classroom. It includes links to Brain Builders, the blog, curriculum links, photos, student projects, and more. It is a changing place that students and parents can access at home too. At various times throughout each month, I will send emails and/or newsletters about classroom happenings, tests, etc. My hope is that parents will find them helpful and informative.
Testing
- Mastery Connect
- SchoolNet
- AimsWeb
Students in 5th grade have the following curriculum:
- Reading
- Language/Composition
- Math
- Social Studies (American History)
- Science
- Physical Education/Health
- Art
- Music
Mr. Clendenen will be teaching Science and Ms. Tammi has Math. Math class will be an hour in length this year! It will also be in a workshop format and use investigations to develop student knowledge and number sense. More information will be coming about this. Students will switch classes in the morning. This year there will be a specials block beginning at 9:50AM. Each morning, students will attend a combination of PE, Music, Art, Library, or SuccessMaker. Click here to see the schedule.
DARE will be held with the 5th graders during the school year. A graduation ceremony will culminate the study.
Fifth graders have the opportunity to join orchestra or band. They will be scheduled for a 20 minute lesson once a week. If they choose band, they will also meet for several full band experiences as the year progresses. Lessons may be during classroom instruction time. Therefore, the students who participate, are responsible to find out what they missed and/or what they are responsible to do outside of class.
Birthday Treats and Student Snacks
- Students are welcome to bring treats to celebrate their birthday! Summer birthdays may be celebrated whenever the student wishes--often students choose to use their half birthday. We will usually eat the treats after morning bathroom break or at the end of the school day. We also have a tradition of singing the birthday song as loudly as we can. Another way to celebrate your child's birthday is by donating a book to our classroom library! A nameplate will be placed in the book in your child's name.
- All birthday and other treats must be prepackaged and cannot include any peanut ingredients. We have several students with severe peanut allergies and this is for their safety and well being.
- No latex balloons are allowed in the school due to health issues.
- PLEASE do not have your child bring party invitiations to school to be handed out unless all the students in the class are being invited. It is very hurtful to the students not invited and causes bad feelings in our classroom community.
- Our recess and lunch time is 11:40 in the morning this year! Because of this we will NOT be having a morning snack. As always it will be important for your child to sleep approximately 10 hours each night and then eat a healthy breakfast each morning in order to have the necessary energy for school.
- Students may bring a water bottle of PLAIN water to school. Hydration is an important part of health and well-being. Please make sure that the bottle has a pop-top or screw cap. The students need to be able to close their bottle to prevent spills. The bottle must also be clear/see through. Because of spills and stains, please send water only, not energy or flavored drinks.
Please contact me if you have any questions- 882-6355 or [email protected]