Welcome to
5th Grade
Math and Science!
Different expectations for the year are listed below. Please return this sheet by Thursday,
September 3 after one of your parents have read and signed the form.
Math
This year we will be working out of a new math curriculum called Math Expressions. It is the
same curriculum that the lower grades at Lamont have been using. It provides up-to-date
lessons and activities.
Format
Each day the students participate in either a lesson or activity. Some days the students will have
downtime where they will have an opportunity to work on an assortment of different math activities.
Downtime Activities
Possible but not all downtime activities include: activity cards, fact practice, mad minutes, math
games, homework, checking homework, and other online math activities. I plan to introduce
new activities throughout the year.
Homework
Students will be assigned homework almost every day. The amount of class time, student
productivity, and the amount of homework assigned all factor into the amount of work
students will take home each day. Although homework is not graded, students will be expected
to stay in at break to finish their assignments. Three incomplete homework assignments will
result in a phone call or email to a parent. The 5th/6th graders will be responsible for checking
their own homework. Checking homework will mainly take place during math downtime.
Grading
Homework – Although homework is not graded, students will be responsible to cross out, make
sense of (by looking in the book or asking a classmate), and correct their own mistakes. How to
mark homework goes as follows:
A check plus for two or less problems wrong.
A check for three or more problems wrong but the student understands his or her mistakes.
A check minus if the student is still confused and would like to talk to me.
I will collect each homework assignment to review students work.
Tests – Students will be assessed on eight major tests throughout the year. Each test will count
towards 1/8th of the student’s grade.
Test Corrections
Students will earn a half point back for every problem that is fixed correctly. Students may only
correct his or her test once.
ThinkCentral
The 5th graders will have access to many different curriculum activities through a website called
ThinkCentral. This is the same online component that your son or daughter would have used
during fourth grade. Access information will be given to your son or daughter during the first
few weeks of school.
Science
Last year we covered the topics of physical and earth science. This year the 5 th/6th graders will
be learning about life and space science.
Format
The class will consist of lessons, projects, and some labs. Topics that will be covered include
classification, cells, reproduction, body systems, plants, biomes, ecosystems, planets, and the
universe as a whole.
Homework
Students will be assigned some homework throughout the year. Some of the homework
students will be given include reading assignments, test review sheets, and project work.
Grading
Quizzes, tests, and projects will be the main type of student assessment. We will use the same
grading scale that we have used in past years. A link to the scale can be found on the Weebly.
Test Corrections
Tests, quizzes, and projects can all be submitted for corrections. Students will earn a half point
back for every mistake that was fixed correctly. Students may only correct his or her mistake
once.
Behavior
The Middle School Staff will be using a “three strike” discipline plan this year. Students will be
given two warnings to control any disruptive behavior the teacher addresses. If the teacher
must address the behavior a third time, the student will be sent to the office to speak with Mr.
Oosterheert and to fill out a “Think Sheet”. If the student is sent to Mr. O’s office a second time,
the teacher will call a parent. If a student is sent a third time, Mr. Oosterheert will arrange a
meeting with himself, the parents, student, and teacher. After each quarter the system will
reset.
Checking Daily Work on Weebly
Parents and students can use our new Weebly Website to check what work was done in class
every day, and what assignments and tests or quizzes are due. This is a handy way for parents
to monitor their children’s work and for absent students to know what they missed.
Directions to the Weebly:
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Type www.lamontcs.weebly.com into the address bar.
Scroll over the teachers tab and find Mr. V.
Scroll over Mr. V and click on “Daily Work”.
Information about each school day can be found on this page.
Return this paper with a parent’s signature by Thursday, September 3.
Parent Signature: ______________________________________
Date: ______________