Welcome! I am extremely excited to be a part of your child's learning. By us working in partnership-Parent, Child, Teacher-we can unify our goals and make this a successful and productive year.

My Mission

I am committed to providing all students with equitable access to quality education, to develop the abilities of students to acquire the knowledge, understanding, skills, values, and attitudes required to become productive citizens.

Contact Information

As always, I welcome your ideas, suggestions, and input. Please feel free to call me or e-mail me for any school related information.

JBES: 301 Cord Drive/931.388-3601

E-mail: smitht23@k12tn.net

I am a mother of a wonderful son who takes my time when I leave school; however, if an emergency arises during my "mom hours" you may contact me at 931.379.9093. Please do not call after 8:00 p.m.

 

 

 

READING

Reading is more important today than it ever was-it is crucial to being an informed citizen, to succeed in one’s chosen career, and to personal fulfillment.

Children who read well do better in other subjects and in all aspects of schooling and beyond. Therefore, the primary focus during literacy block will be on reading and reading comprehension as well as incorporating writing skills.

 

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

                              -Saint Augustine

ACCELERATED READING

Students are required to get at least 5 points within 10 school days. They are given a reading range they may choose from. From this range they should be able to read the books and successfully pass the test on them. Please make sure they are reading at home and constantly ask your child about his/her progress concerning A.R.

GRADING

In addition to A.R., the nine weeks grade will be a combination of reading tests, Unit Tests, reading projects, and workbook pages.

 

 

Ways to help your child

Reading Comprehension:

*       Ask your child to give a summary of what he/she is reading.

*       Ask “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why,” & “how,” questions(who are the characters in the story, what is the title/what is the plot, when/where does the story takes place, how are problems solved in the story, why does certain things happen in the story).

Reading Encouragement:

*       Allow your child to read to you and show interest in what your child is reading.

*       Read to your child. He/She will benefit from hearing you read aloud.

*       Be a “model” by letting your child see you read.

*       Pick out books together that display interest and personal experiences.

 

“What we become depends on what we read after all the professors have finished with us. The greatest university of all is the collection of books.”

                         -Thomas Carlyle

 

 

5th Grade Math

 

The following has been explained to your child and is provided for your information.

Homework Grade:                              

*      If homework is completed each day it is assigned, a homework grade of 100 will be given.

*      5 points will be deducted for: *late paper, incomplete assignments, failure to follow direction, etc. * 5 points will be deducted up to three day. After three days, I will not accept the homework and a grade of 0 will be administered.

*      No points will be deducted for completed papers turned in late due to an excused absence. These papers are to be placed in the “You Did It” folder.

*      All homework grades will be averaged each 4 ½ week period.

Test/Quiz Grades:

*      Test scores are recorded twice.

*      Quiz grades are recorded once.

*      After being graded and after all make-up tests have been taken, test/quiz papers are returned to your child for your signature.

Homework:   

*      Homework should be organized in your child’s notebook or folder, NOT folded and placed in the textbook where it can be misplaced or lost.

*      I require students to show their work for all computation problems. Credit will not be given for answers only unless specific instructions have been given.

*      Neatness is important, and I ask that papers be set up in a certain way. No credit will be given for messy or unreadable work.

*      Homework is to be done on loose leaf paper only. I will not accept ripped papers.

*      I check homework at the beginning of class for completeness. Usually each student checks his/her own paper. We go over and discuss problems of concern, and papers are collected. Please encourage your child to ask questions when he/she is having difficulty understanding a concept.

*      If your child has difficulty with a problem and finds he/she cannot work it, he/she may write the problem on the homework paper and ask you to sign beside it. This shows me that the student tried the problem. Credit will be given for these problems, but only if they have your signature beside each one. (I strongly encourage parents to help with the understanding of concepts).

 

Absences:

*      Students are responsible for making up work missed when absent from class. Students can 1) Check the “While Your Were Out” folder; 2) Telephone a classmate.

*      Any test or quiz assigned before the student was absent will be given the first day the student returns.

 

IMPORTANT!!!

Your child is expected to know the basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts by the time he/she reaches the fifth grade. Please review these facts with your child. If there are basic facts which your child does not know, please work with him/her until these facts are easily and quickly recalled. Knowledge of these facts is essential to his/her success in math.

 

 

 

 

Classroom Procedures

bEGINNING OF CLASS PROCEDURES

1. Enter class quietly. Put your things away in the appropriate area.

2. Sharpen your pencils. Have at least two sharpened pencils on your desk. Begin morning work. Follow directions and work quietly.

3. Raise your hand if you have any questions about the morning work. Continue to work quietly until further directions are given.

 

class procedures

1. Listen attentively and do your best to understand the lesson.

2. Raise your hand to ask a question or to speak. Use a respectful tone of voice at all times.

3. Show respect to your teacher and fellow classmates.

 

4. Take notes as we go over the lesson. Please ask if you don’t understand.

 

Cooperative group procedures

1. Listen attentively to each other. Follow instructions as they are given. Whisper among each other.

2. Share the work among the group members. Do your best to participate fully. Ask questions of your group members before asking the teacher.

3. Speak respectfully to one another at all times. Work out any conflicts before the teacher intervenes. Raise your hand if you need the teacher’s help.

 

homework/classwork procedures

1. Put your name and date on all homework and class work. Do your homework and class work in pencil?

2. Homework is due the following day unless otherwise noted. Homework is to be turned in at the beginning of class in the homework tray. If your homework is late, it is your responsibility to turn in homework in the “You Did It” folder.

3. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find your assignments. You can 1) Telephone a classmate; 2) Check the “While You Were Out” folder; or 3) Get a “While You Were Out” sheet from your teacher. Turn in assignments as soon as you are able in the “You Did It” folder. Never place your homework on the teacher’s desk. See your teacher if you have any questions.