Classroom Procedures

Make Up Assignments:  Your child will be given one day for each day they are absent to make up missed class work and homework. I will be happy to send assignments home with a friend or sibling.  Please let the school office know this information in the morning so that I may have everything ready to be sent home before dismissal. Please see SPS handbook for absences due to family vacations.

Make Up Tests and Quizzes and Projects:  If your child misses a test or quiz due to absence, I will schedule the assessment upon his/her return to school.  I will allow adequate time to make up work that is on the assessment. One letter grade will be deducted for each day a project is late (sickness excluded).  Please see the SPS Handbook for absences due to family vacations.

Class work Procedures:  All students are expected to hand in class work on the due date assigned.   A list of incomplete class work will be written on the board and is due every Friday.  It is the responsibility of the student to complete the assignments and turn them in by Friday.  Points will be deducted for late assignments.

Homework Policy:  Homework is assigned to reinforce skills taught during the day and promote responsibility.  Homework must be completed for collection or review the day it is due. A homework assignment is recorded as complete when it is completely finished and on his/her desk for collection or review the day it is due.  Students are given time each morning to write homework assignments, due dates, assessments, and project dates in their Homework Assignment Planner. Each night, in addition to completing written assignments, your child should study weekly spelling words, chapter vocabulary words in all subject areas, and basic math facts.  Remember, not all homework is written. If your child cannot complete homework due to a family or medical emergency, please write me a note or send me an email. Your child will be given an opportunity to complete the assignment(s).

Consequences for not completing assignments (per trimester) are as follows:

First Offense in a single subject:  verbal warning

Second Offense in a single subject:  Written warning

Third Offense in a single subject:  Written warning

Fourth Offense in a single subject: Detention

Every offense after the fourth offense is a detention.

Student Responsibility:  All students are expected to write in complete sentences in all subject areas as well as standard paragraph format in all subject areas. Points will be deducted for incomplete sentences and or paragraphs in all subject areas.  All students are expected to know multiplication facts. If your child struggles in this area, have them review these facts daily. All students are expected to work both independently and cooperatively in an active learning environment.

Focus on Assessment

Math: Assessments include the following: chapter quizzes on concepts taught during the chapter, chapter tests, chapter center work, classwork, and homework.  A Practice Book page will be assigned daily for homework.

Religion: Assessments include the following: classwork, chapter quizzes, unit tests, and in class projects. Occasionally homework may be assigned and/or classwork may need to be completed at home.

Social Studies (4th and 5th grades): Assessments will include chapter/unit tests, semester projects, quizzes, and classwork, and homework. Occasionally homework will be assigned and/or classwork may need to be completed at home.

ILA includes the following subjects: reading, vocabulary, writing, grammar, and spelling.

*Comprehension: Comprehension skills are taught in correlation with stories that we read each week in our anthologies.  Our reading curriculum is center based with small group instruction. Assessments include bi-weekly comprehension skill quizzes, unit tests (one or two per trimester), classwork, homework, and two or more projects per trimester.

*Independent Reading:  Students will be required to read independently during the school day and at home  The students will participate in monthly book activities.

*Vocabulary:  Each week, students will be given vocabulary words to study.  It is expected that students complete the written assignment during center time and/or for homework. Students are expected to study definitions each night.  Assessment includes bi-weekly quizzes, classwork and/or homework.

*Grammar: Grammar is taught in correlation with stories that we read each week in our anthologies. The main area of instruction/learning is sentence structure, correct punctuation, and parts of speech.  Assessments include weekly quizzes and classwork.

*Writing:  Writing is taught in correlation with stories that we read each week in our anthologies.  The main area of instruction will focus on organization, development of ideas and word choice, and sentence fluency.  Assessments include two or more assignments per trimester. For these assignments, students will move through the writing process.

*Spelling:  Spelling is taught in correlation with stories that we read each week in our anthologies.  The emphasis of instruction is on spelling rules and patterns rather than simply memorizing a list of words. Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe will be given for spelling homework (new activities will be given each unit).  Assessments include weekly quiz.

Additional information:  One letter grade is deducted for each day a project is late (sickness excluded).  Due to the number and variety of assessments, extra credit work is not offered.