5th Grade Procedures
Homework
The purpose of homework is to practice and reinforce skills already taught and practiced in the classroom. All students will be required to read 30 minutes a night. Fifth graders could also have approximately an additional 50 minutes of homework every evening (Monday-Thursday). Long and short term projects will be assigned throughout the year.
A typical night's homework could include the following:
- Read 30 minutes daily and complete assignments (due weekly)
- Fast Focus Math Homework (due weekly - 4 or 5 questions per night)
- Science Weekly Workout (checked daily for completion, due weekly - one question per night)
- Latin/Greek Root Vocabulary Homework (due as assigned)
- Work that is assigned at school, but not completed in class is also homework. (due the next day)
Late Work
Homework assignments are due at the beginning of the school day. Students missing assignments will write a note in their planner and will have the opportunity to complete their work during recess. It is each student's responsibility to stay on top of due dates and assignments.
Grading & Correction Procedures
Report card grades are based on three types of assignments; class work (60%), tests/major projects/common assessments (30%), and homework (10%). Writing and Social Studies report card grades are based on Daily Grades/Classwork (70%) and Tests/Projects/Common Assessments (30%). Students are given the opportunity to make corrections (up to a 70%) on failing grades or to accurately complete replacement assignments to improve a grade up to 70%. Graded papers go home in the Tuesday Folder and the corrected papers are due back to the teacher signed by Friday of the same week.This allows students to stay current with ongoing instruction rather than possibly getting behind and trying to catch up on older work while continuing with newer lessons.
We hope that each child takes the opportunity to make corrections to all of his/her assignments, as this is a valuable learning tool. Parents are asked to sign papers that have received a failing grade. After students are retaught the material, it is up to the child to make the corrections and return the paper to the teacher by Friday of the same week. Making corrections is the responsibility of the student. Many grade level awards (Dog Tags) are awarded based on grades and attendance. To help your child be successful, please be sure to view your child's grades and averages online. You may sign-up to view your child's grades or log-in using the link below.
https://accesscenter.roundrockisd.org/homeaccess/
Homework Planners
Organization is the key to success!!
Each student will receive a 5th grade student planner free of charge. The planner can help students stay organized and serve as a reminder of homework assignments. (Habits #1 - Be Proactive, #2 - Begin with the End in Mind, and #3 - Put First things First) Planners will be filled out after each subject and need to be brought back and forth between home and school each day to enable parents and students to discuss assignments, both long and short term. Students are responsible for writing their daily assignments down at the end of each day and gathering the necessary materials to take home to complete their work. Parents are asked to review planners to help monitor assignment completion. It is very important for our students to become more self-reliant as they transition to middle school. Each student will be held accountable for his/her homework.
Attendance
Regular school attendance plays a vital role in the degree of success a student achieves during the school year. One study shows that 50% of all 6th graders that miss 20 or more days of school NEVER GRADUATE! State law and local policy mandate that students must be in attendance at least 90% of the academic year. In addition, students should be arriving on time for instruction, as the first few minutes set a tone for the school day. Also, the first of the day is critical learning time.
Students are expected to be in the classroom, getting ready for the day by 7:40. Students are counted tardy if they are not in the classroom by 7:40. Students may go directly to the classroom before 8:00. After 8:00 parents must go to the office to sign their child in for the day. Per district policy, two tardies count as an absence. When your child is absent, it is district policy that the student brings a written note when returning to school. It is the student's responsibility to collect his or her make-up work and complete it in a timely manner. Students have time equal to the time they were absent to make up their work. (ex: If a student is absent 2 days, he or she will have 2 days to complete the work after returning to school.
** Perfect Attendance Certificates are awarded for each grading period. An "All Year Perfect Attendance" award may also be earned and awarded at the end of the year. Please remember that 3 tardies count as an absence.
Tuesday Work Folders
Weekly Work Folders go home each Tuesday containing graded work. Students should return the folders with a parent signature on Wednesday. Graded papers should stay at home unless they require a parent signature and corrections. Please see the section above,
Progress Reports/Conferences
A progress report will be sent home around the fourth week of each quarter. If a student is failing at that time, the teacher will send a report of failing/missing grades. A teacher shall request a conference with a student’s parents at the end of a nine-week period if the student’s grades are not passing. Parents and teachers may request a conference at any other time for other academic or behavioral concerns. Parents are able to view grades at any time through the Home Access Center. Grades will be updated weekly.
Student Led Conferences
Students at Teravista have the unique opportunity to demonstrate their learned Leadership Skills during Student Led Conferences. Students will add their 2017-2018 Goals, Action Plan, Celebrations and Leadership Opportunities to their Leadership Binders. Students will meet with parents or school staff members to share, review and celebrate their individual 5th grade accomplishments in the fall and spring.
Student led conferences are a time to celebrate successes and re-evaluate student goals. If you have particular concerns an additional conference can be scheduled for a different time.