• Systems of the Body
• Ecosystems
• Predator and Prey
• Solar System
• Earthquakes
• Weather
• Climate
• Greenhouse Effect
• Types of Energy
• Water Cycle

Building upon their foundation students will expand their mathematical minds. Throughout the year students will strengthen the following topics:

• Fractions - adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing
• Algebraic Expressions
• Measurement
• Integers
• Ratios
• Probability
• Polygons

This year students will be learning the meaning of worshiping God in community. In Unit 1, the children will come to a basic understanding and appreciation of Christian worship. They will become more familiar with the Sacrament of Initiation.

Our 5th graders will be learning about the history, geography, economics, civics and government in our first unit. They'll see how historians study events, evidence and points of view to connect the past to the present.

Fourth and Fifth Grade will be using a new writing program called Excellence in Writing. It is a well organized program. We will be using a structured and sequential method to develop better writing and thinking skills. Included will be instructions on developing basic note-taking and organizational skills for these grade levels.
 

Our first unit is all about cooperation and competition. In these stories, we will be focusing on the meaning of this theme. And how they can relate to their own personal lives.

Dear Parents,                                                                                                   August 24, 2016
We are very happy to have your student in class and look forward to getting to know them. We take this opportunity to explain some of the fourth and fifth grade procedures.

Accelerated Reader (AR)
Please note the correction for required number of AR points:
The following is the requirements PER NINE WEEKS FOR THE 1ST AND 2ND QUARTERS, for the 4th and 5th grade AR points 
                                         First Semester                                   Second Semester
Fourth Grade              7 points for each quarter                      8 points for each quarter 
Fifth Grade                 8 points for each quarter                      9 points for each quarter
 
Student Work
Papers will be sent home once a week on Friday for you to look over. Remember you can always check your child’s progress and email us through Renweb,
 
Class Discipline Policy and Negative Behaviors:
Homework :  Homework is usually given every day unless class work is not finished. Homework (and classwork) is written on the board during the day for the students. The students will have a designated homework folder that will have an assignment sheet for the student to write down his/her homework. (I have attached an assignment sheet so you will know what to look for.) This is also the folder that will contain any notes to be sent home. The amount of homework will vary depending on what the students did not get finished during class time. Per the Student Handbook, “students who fail to turn in homework or unfinished classwork will be issued a 1-hour detention, and the after-school rate is charged to the parents for this detention”.
 
Consequences
A verbal warning should be enough to correct inappropriate behavior. If a verbal warning is ineffective, the staff member can take recess privileges away. A parent will be notified via email through Renweb. Parents are encouraged to have a conference with the teacher to discuss discipline concerns. If questions remain, parents can request a conference with the principal.
 
1. Chewing gum or eating without permission.
2. Talking without permission.
3. Dress code violations.
4. Discourteous behavior.
5. Littering the campus.
6. Leaving the cafeteria without permission.
7. Misuse of school equipment.
8. Throwing rocks or other objects at recess.
9. Playing tackling games at recess.
10. Returning to the building without permission when at recess.
11. Running and, or jumping in the hall.
12. Loud talking in the halls or restrooms.
13. Failure to keep hands, feet, and objects to oneself.
14. Inappropriate behavior during Mass.
15. Other inappropriate behaviors left to the discretion of the staff member.
 
As always, thank you for all you do for your child. Great parents and great students make teaching a joy. We look forward to a wonderful year!
God Bless,
Mrs. Billie Becker     bbecker@smsmustangs.com
Ms. Judith McGuill    jmcguill@smsmustangs.com