Bernadette Legoria 5th Grade Language Arts Syllabus / Class Requirements

Welcome to fifth grade English language arts classes.  My name is Bernadette Legoria, and I will be your child’s teacher for the 2008-2009 school year.   We will meet for reading prior to lunch for 45 minutes per day and for English/spelling 45 minutes per day after lunch.  I believe in a balanced literacy program that integrates all forms of communication skills:   reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  I plan to format our class instruction in the following manner.   The beginning of the week will be whole group instruction with focus skills being introduced and guided practice implemented.  As the week progresses the students will work in learning centers, and I will work with small groups of children for differentiated instruction. 

My instructional time will be utilized in teaching higher order thinking skills and strategies that enhance the application of these skills. Inferential meanings, comparisons and contrasts, causes and effects, summarizing, and analogies are some skills that will be the focus.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework will be posted in the classroom for the students to copy in their assignment pads every Monday for the entire week with Mondays through Thursdays being homework nights. Parents can check Quia for assignments and changes if any occur.  Homework will be checked for completion and points will be given.  Homework grades will constitute 1/6 of the nine weeks grade. If homework assignments need to be changed for some unexpected reason, I will make this perfectly clear to the students. Test dates will be given in plenty of time for students to prepare/study.

Any student not turning in homework will receive a zero on that assignment.  Homework points will vary according to the assignment.

TESTS

Nine Weeks Grade will be based on the following:

Reading:
1/6-Homework
1/6-Selection tests (approximately every 8 school days)
1/6-Focused Skills Tests from each unit of study (about every 5 or 6 weeks)
1/6-Teacher selected activities (theme related extensions, book reports, and/or projects)
1/6-Teacher selected activities (weekly skills test)
1/6-Accelerated Reader

SPELLING

Spelling lists will be sent home with tests dates given above each list. Spelling tests will be given on Thursday of every week unless something unusual occurs.

LANGUAGE

½ of grade: two written assignments per nine weeks based on a given prompt with a rubric. One graded composition will derive from a focused modeled lesson with guidance by the teacher, and one composition will be completed independently.

(Each child will be given a writing folder with information that will be used as a reference when completing composition. The folder will contain a list of transitional words, an editing checklist, a list of vivid adjectives, and elements of the each discourse: narrative, descriptive, expository, or persuasive

½ of grade:  Weekly language mechanics and grammar test (may include editing a paragraph)

SPECIAL PROJECTS

·        These projects will usually extend from their reading selections which come from Treasures-their basal reader.

·        Any given project will be assigned way in advance with specific directions and rubric.

·        Projects may be related to science and/or social studies or strictly literature based stories.  Projects may include a collection of thinking maps, a diorama, or a short report linked to the unit theme.

·        Prepared presentations will be given in front of class.  The date of the presentation will be sent home in advance.

·        Special projects will be averaged in the reading grade as a teacher selected activity.

ABSENCES

Upon returning to school, the student must check the make-up folder that is in a designated spot for the assignments missed. It is your child’s responsibility to make sure he/she takes the work home to be completed. 

I will be glad to send work to the office to be picked up if a request is made in advance (day before or early morning).

I can also send the work/assignment home with a sibling if this has been cleared through the office.

Thank you for your cooperation.

I would like to form a partnership with you in educating your child. If you have any concerns and need to speak to me, please contact me at home, during my planning period, or e-mail me.  A list of numbers and e-mail address will be forthcoming.