Guidelines for Language Arts and Reading and Vocabulary
Mrs. Kelley 5th Grade
Classroom Books
Language Arts:
Reading:
Write Source, Great Source Education Group
Treasures, Macmillan/McGraw Hill
various novels chosen by the teacher - novels chosen by the student
Grading for Language Arts and Reading
Grades will be compiled using a point system. Every assignment will be assigned a certain number of
points. Tests and Reports will most always be worth 100 Points.
Class work is expected to be done the day it is assigned, in class.
Homework is due on its due date. Late homework will be accepted one day late and will be assigned
50% of its original point value.
Missed tests/quizzes will be put into the “Missed Tests” file in the Friday folder crate. Students are
expected to make up the test they missed the day they return to school. Typically, students have as
many days as they were out to make up their work. Special circumstances will be addressed. I reserve
the right to make a final decision regarding late homework special circumstances.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Composition
We will study the writing process this year as well as begin to put that process into practice. The Six + 1
Traits of Good Writing are introduced in the textbook. I will use these Traits with the students to help
them pinpoint expectations for their writing and to grade their writing pieces. The students will be
exposed to various writing genres throughout the year: expository, nonfiction, literary analysis,
persuasive, fiction, and poetry. Almost everything discussed in class will be available for the students to
review and access in their Write Source textbook as needed.
Grammar
Grammar study will be guided by the lessons in the yellow pages of the Write Source textbook. Class
work, homework, quizzes and tests will make up the grammar portion of the Language Arts grade.
READING
Comprehension/ Literature
The students will be reading stories in their reading books. We will supplement the reading with
activities and discussion to promote interaction with the text. Literary terms will be introduced and used
to analyze the stories contained in the Treasures Reading books.
We will also be reading novels inside and outside of class. Literature Circles may be used to guide the
reading and discussion of these novels. The Reader’s Corner Activities will be explained to the students
in class, but they will work independently to complete these assignments. I will use the journal prompts
to encourage the students to become engaged in their reading and lay some groundwork for literary
analysis, which they will see in middle and high school.
VOCABULARY
Books
Vocabulary Workshop Level Orange
Vocabulary Workshop Level Blue
Procedures
Units will be introduced most Mondays. Lessons will be completed as class work, so it is important that
the students bring their vocabulary books to school everyday. Unit tests will be given most Fridays to
complete the unit.
Homework requirements will change each trimester. The first trimester homework is 12 notecards. The
second trimester homework will include 12 sentences, six illustrations, and a story. The third trimester
homework will include six sentences, six hangmen, four word families, and two sentences. Each
homework assignment will be thoroughly explained and demonstrated for the students.
Grading
Tests count for 60% of the grade.
Homework counts for 40% of the grade.
***I will drop the lowest test grade each trimester at the end of the trimester.***
Online Resource
www.vocabularyworkshop.com
Use student access code found in the beginning of the book.