Fifth Grade Reading and Language Arts Syllabus
2014-2015
Mrs. Rebecca Cain
Oceanside: Room 435
I.
Long Range Goals
A. Develop and nurture a life-long love of reading
B. Expose students to a wide variety of Reading genres (Genres
include: nonfiction, fiction, historical fiction, realistic fiction,
poetry, mythology and mystery)
C. Develop and increase vocabulary and reading comprehension
D. Develop writing and Grammar skills
E. Improve spelling skills
II.
Key Content
A. Reading- The reading lesson is tentatively based on a 5 week
schedule
1. Read two stories and one novel from the anthology of the above
genres while incorporating reading strategies, writing skills and
vocabulary skills.
2. Use the reading strategies: comparing & contrasting, cause &
effect, problem & solution, making generalizations, inferring, &
story elements.
Note: Each unit assessment is given at the completion of the two
anthology stories, one novel, and its skills and strategies. Weekly
assessments are no longer administered. Students now take pretests, mid-year tests, and end-of-the-year tests. MSA is no longer
being taken by students. PARCC has replaced MSA and will be taken
by ALL students. Students are expected to read at least 20
minutes each night to build fluency and literacy skills. A reading log
will be sent home each marking term to keep track of the amount
of books students read throughout the year. (More information
will follow.)
B. Language Arts
1. Incorporates Spelling, Grammar, and Writing
NOTE: Spelling lists will be handed out on the first day of the week
and will be due on that last day of the week. (Three-day weeks will
not have Spelling lists). Students are required to do 3 Spelling
activities with their words instead of the spelling packet.
2. We will be starting a new writing program called “WriteSteps.”
This is a program that incorporates grammar and writing into class
every day. There are 6 units of writing. This is a new program for
everyone; students and teachers alike.
III.
Materials
A. Textbook (Reading)
B. Assigned Novels ( Holes, Room One, Wonder, Maniac Magee,
Frindle, Give Me Liberty, Sea of Monsters)
C. 3 Composition notebooks (Reading/ Writing/Free Write)
D. #2 pencils (mechanical are fine, as long as student keeps lead for
them)
E. Colored Pencils
F. Cap erasers
G. White (Elmer’s) Glue
H. Loose-leaf paper
I. Novel for free reading time
**Please refrain from reading any of the assigned novels to your
student at home. It would be great for you to have a copy of the
novel at home; however, please do not allow your child to read
ahead. This affects some skills that we may incorporate while
reading the novel. **
IV.
Student Expectations (Please see “Our Classroom Constitution”)
A. Class Rules
1. Be on time and on task
2. Be Prepared
3. Be Responsible
4. Be Respectful & Courteous
5. Be Neat and Clean
6. Be Honest
**Students who choose to abide by these rules will be recognized
individually and as a class with various privileges, celebrations, and
rewards. Severe or repeated misbehavior will result in an office referral
and/or loss of privileges. **
B. Homework
Homework is an important part of your child’s school experience and
grade. Supporting good work habits requires a joint effort. I will
support your child and encourage good work habits at school. Your
child will benefit greatly from your support and encouragement at
home. I do not assign much homework to students. The homework I do
assign is to benefit your child. I understand that students have extra-
curricular activities that put restraints on the amount of time your
child has to do homework.
**Students who do not turn in homework will be required to miss recess
in order to complete the assignment. If it is not turned in by the end of
the marking period, it will count as a 0 in the gradebook. Remind101
reminders will be sent home weekly **
C.Attendance/Make-up Work
Students who are absent will receive their make-up work when they
return and will have three school days to complete it. After these
three days I will put the missing assignments in the gradebook as a “0”
and mark it has missing. It is the student’s responsibility to turn in all
missed work. If a student misses a test or quiz, time will be set aside
during specials or recess to make it up. If a student needs more time
to complete assignments, please contact me. I am more than flexible
with students making up work.
V.
Grading Policy
A. Students will no longer receive point grades in any subjects. All
grades will be back on a % system. (0-100%)
B. Grades are also weighted by category (See Below)
Reading: Assessments: 40%
Class Work/Homework: 60%
Language Arts: Classwork/Homework: 40%
Assessments: 30%
Writing: 30%
VI.
Process for Home/School Connection
A. Folders will come home every day. Please look over the papers
carefully and return necessary items to school the next day. It is
your students’ responsibility to check their mailbox and to take
the items home.
B. I am available for scheduled conferences most mornings (except
Wednesday) from 8:40–9:20; please call the school to arrange a
date and time (410-968-1295). In addition, you may e-mail me at
school at rcain@somerset.k12.md.us. I check my e-mail several
times a day, and this is the best way to quickly reach me.
C. If you have internet access at home or work, please check Power
School on a regular basis for an idea of how your student is doing.
I will have grades in Power School for the previous week by
Tuesday afternoon.
D. Please refer to the parent involvement handout that was sent
home on the first day of school.
VI.
Miscellaneous
Students will be given ample notice of all tests and projects.
The fifth grade will be taking several field trips throughout the year.
Some field trips will be offered to all students, while others will be
behavior incentives. A note will be sent home prior to all trips
informing parents and students of behavior expectations. Please note
that the WES principal reserves the right to deny a student the right
to attend a field trip if she feels it is in the best interest of the
students.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with your child this
year. Only through continual communication can we do what is best for
your student, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any
questions or concerns. Let’s work together to make this a great year
for you and your students.